ASYMMETRICAL MAGNET ARRAYS
20230170121 · 2023-06-01
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
H01F1/0036
ELECTRICITY
International classification
H01F1/00
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
Magnet array structure includes a first linear magnet array and a second linear magnet array having a first and a second arrangement of magnets, respectively, in which the first and the second arrangement of magnets are repeated along respective lengths of the first and second linear magnet array. The first and second arrangement of magnets include respective individual first and second magnet elements arranged along the respective length of the first and second linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the first and second linear magnet array result on the first and second arrangement of magnets, respectively. The first arrangement of magnets is offset from the second arrangement of magnets so that the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets partially overlap.
Claims
1. A magnet array structure, comprising: a first linear magnet array comprising a first arrangement of magnets, in which the first arrangement of magnets is repeated along a length of the first linear magnet array; and a second linear magnet array comprising a second arrangement of magnets, in which the second arrangement of magnets is repeated along a length of the second linear magnet array; the first arrangement of magnets comprising individual first magnet elements arranged along the length of the first linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the first linear magnet array result on the first arrangement of magnets; the second arrangement of magnets comprising individual second magnet elements arranged along the length of the second linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the second linear magnet array result on the second arrangement of magnets; wherein the first arrangement of magnets has a same length along the length of the first linear magnet array as the second arrangement of magnets along the length of the second linear magnet array, wherein the first linear magnet array is arranged parallel to the second linear magnet array, and wherein the first arrangement of magnets along the length of the first linear magnet array is offset from the second arrangement of magnets along the length of the second linear magnet array so that the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets partially overlap.
2. The magnet array structure according to claim 1, wherein the individual first magnet elements are arranged so that adjacent individual first magnetic elements have magnetic flux orientations offset 45° from each other, and wherein the individual second magnet elements are arranged so that adjacent individual second magnetic elements have magnetic flux orientations offset 45° from each other.
3. The magnet array structure according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic flux orientations of the individual first magnet elements along the length of the first magnet arrangement in a first direction have a first rotation; and wherein the magnetic flux orientations of the individual second magnet elements along the length of the second magnet arrangement in the first direction have a second rotation.
4. The magnet array structure according to claim 3, wherein the first rotation is opposite the second rotation.
5. The magnet array structure according to claim 1, wherein a first plurality of the individual first magnet elements have a first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array and a second plurality of the individual first magnet elements have a second width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array direction that is different from the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array.
6. The magnet array structure according to claim 5, wherein the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array is a multiple of the second width in the length direction of the first magnet array.
7. The magnet array structure according to claim 5, wherein a first plurality of the individual second magnet elements have a first width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array and a second plurality of the individual second magnet elements have a second width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array direction that is different from the first width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array.
8. The magnet array structure according to claim 7, wherein the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array is greater than the second width in the length direction of the first magnet array, wherein the first width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array is greater than the second width in the length direction of the second magnet array, and wherein one of the individual first magnet elements having the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array is arranged opposite plural individual second magnet elements having the second widths in the length direction of the second linear magnet array.
9. The magnet array structure according to claim 5, a third plurality of the individual first magnet elements have a third width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array direction that is different from the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array and from the second width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array.
10. The magnet array structure according to claim 9, wherein the third width is a multiple of the first width and of the second width.
11. A method for forming a magnet array structure, comprising: forming a first linear magnet array comprising a first arrangement of magnets, in which the first arrangement of magnets is repeated along a length of the first linear magnet array, wherein the first arrangement of magnets comprise individual first magnet elements; and forming a second linear magnet array comprising a second arrangement of magnets, in which the second arrangement of magnets is repeated along a length of the second linear magnet array, wherein the second arrangement of magnets comprise individual second magnet elements arranging the individual first magnet elements along the length of the first linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the first linear magnet array result on the first arrangement of magnets; arranging the individual second magnet elements along the length of the second linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the second linear magnet array result on the second arrangement of magnets; wherein the first arrangement of magnets has a same length along the length of the first linear magnet array as the second arrangement of magnets along the length of the second linear magnet array, wherein the first linear magnet array is arranged parallel to the second linear magnet array, and wherein the first arrangement of magnets along the length of the first linear magnet array is offset from the second arrangement of magnets along the length of the second linear magnet array so that the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets partially overlap.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising arranging the individual first magnet elements so that adjacent individual first magnetic elements have magnetic flux orientations offset 45° from each other; and arranging the individual second magnet elements so that adjacent individual second magnetic elements have magnetic flux orientations offset 45° from each other.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the magnetic flux orientations of the individual first magnet elements along the length of the first magnet arrangement in a first direction have a first rotation; and wherein the magnetic flux orientations of the individual second magnet elements along the length of the second magnet arrangement in the first direction have a second rotation.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first rotation is opposite the second rotation.
15. The method according to claim 11, wherein a first plurality of the individual first magnet elements have a first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array and a second plurality of the individual first magnet elements have a second width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array direction that is different from the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array is a multiple of the second width in the length direction of the first magnet array.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein a first plurality of the individual second magnet elements have a first width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array and a second plurality of the individual second magnet elements have a second width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array direction that is different from the first width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array is greater than the second width in the length direction of the first magnet array, wherein the first width in the length direction of the second linear magnet array is greater than the second width in the length direction of the second magnet array, and wherein one of the individual first magnet elements having the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array is arranged opposite plural individual second magnet elements having the second widths in the length direction of the second linear magnet array.
19. The method according to claim 15, a third plurality of the individual first magnet elements have a third width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array direction that is different from the first width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array and from the second width in the length direction of the first linear magnet array.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the third width is a multiple of the first width and of the second width.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] These and other features of this disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0045] In the following description, the various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with respect to the enclosed drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the embodiments of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.
[0046] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present disclosure only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present disclosure in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present disclosure, such that the description, taken with the drawings, making apparent to those skilled in the art how the forms of the present disclosure may be embodied in practice.
[0047] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a magnetic material” would also mean that mixtures of one or more magnetic materials can be present unless specifically excluded.
[0048] Except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by embodiments of the present disclosure. At the very least, and not to be considered as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding conventions.
[0049] Additionally, the recitation of numerical ranges within this specification is considered to be a disclosure of all numerical values and ranges within that range (unless otherwise explicitly indicated). For example, if a range is from about 1 to about 50, it is deemed to include, for example, 1, 7, 34, 46.1, 23.7, or any other value or range within the range.
[0050] As used herein, the indefinite article “a” indicates one as well as more than one and does not necessarily limit its referent noun to the singular.
[0051] As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” indicate that the amount or value in question may be the specific value designated or some other value in its neighborhood. Generally, the terms “about” and “approximately denoting a certain value is intended to denote a range within ±5% of the value. As one example, the phrase “about 100” denotes a range of 100±5, i.e., the range from 95 to 105. Generally, when the terms “about” and “approximately are used, it can be expected that similar results or effects according to the disclosure can be obtained within a range of ±5% of the indicated value.
[0052] As used herein, the term “and/or” indicates that either all or only one of the elements of said group may be present. For example, “A and/or B” shall mean “only A, or only B, or both A and B”. In the case of “only A”, the term also covers the possibility that B is absent, i.e., “only A, but not B”.
[0053] The term “substantially parallel” refers to deviating less than 20° from parallel alignment and the term “substantially perpendicular” refers to deviating less than 20° from perpendicular alignment. The term “parallel” refers to deviating less than 5° from mathematically exact parallel alignment. Similarly, “perpendicular” refers to deviating less than 5° from mathematically exact perpendicular alignment.
[0054] The term “at least partially” is intended to denote that the following property is fulfilled to a certain extent or completely.
[0055] The terms “substantially” and “essentially” are used to denote that the following feature, property or parameter is either completely (entirely) realized or satisfied or to a major degree that does not adversely affect the intended result.
[0056] The term “comprising” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusive and open-ended. Thus, for instance a coating composition comprising a compound A may include other compounds besides A. However, the term “comprising” also covers the more restrictive meanings of “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”, so that for instance “a coating composition comprising a compound A” may also (essentially) consist of the compound A.
[0057] The various embodiments disclosed herein can be used separately and in various combinations unless specifically stated to the contrary.
[0058]
[0059]
[0060] The plurality of magnetic elements in
[0061] The plurality of magnetic elements further includes a third MEC 13, a fourth MEC 14, a fifth MEC 15, a sixth MEC 16, a seventh MEC 17, an eighth MEC 18, a ninth MEC 19, and a tenth MEC 20, each of which have a width equal to (or approximately equal to) a second width 91 and a height equal to (or approximately equal to) the first height 95. In the illustrated arrangement of the plurality of magnetic elements, third MEC 13 has a left and downwardly-directed magnetic flux; fourth MEC 14 has a leftwardly-directed magnetic flux; fifth MEC 15 has a left and upwardly-directed magnetic flux; sixth MEC 16 has an upwardly-directed magnetic flux; seventh MEC 17 has a right and upwardly-directed magnetic flux; eighth MEC 18 has a rightwardly-directed magnetic flux; ninth MEC 19 has a right and downwardly-directed magnetic flux; and tenth MEC 20 has a downwardly-directed magnetic flux.
[0062] Additionally, the plurality of magnetic elements can include an eleventh MEC 21, a twelfth MEC 22, a thirteenth MEC 23, a fourteenth MEC 24, a fifteenth MEC 25, and a sixteenth MEC 26, each of which have a width equal to (or approximately equal to) a third width 92 and a height equal to (or approximately equal to) the first height 95. In the illustrated arrangement of the plurality of magnetic elements, eleventh MEC 21 has a right and downwardly-directed magnetic flux; twelfth MEC 22 has a downwardly-directed magnetic flux; thirteenth MEC 23 has a left and downwardly-directed magnetic flux; fourteenth MEC 24 has a left and upwardly-directed magnetic flux; fifteenth MEC 25 has an upwardly-directed magnetic flux; and sixteenth MEC 26 has a right and upwardly-directed magnetic flux.
[0063] As is apparent from
[0064] In embodiments, not all MECs depicted in
[0065]
[0066] Second repeatable magnet arrangement 2 in this exemplary embodiment includes a second plurality of magnetic elements, such as a seventeenth MEC 47, an eighteenth MEC 48, a nineteenth MEC 49, a twentieth MEC 50, a twenty-first MEC 51, a twenty-second MEC 52, a twenty-third MEC 53, a twenty-fourth MEC 54, a twenty-fifth MEC 55, a twenty-sixth MEC 56, a twenty-seventh MEC 57, a twenty-eighth MEC 58, a twenty-ninth MEC 59, a thirtieth MEC 60, a thirty-first MEC 61, and a thirty-second MEC 62. By way of non-limiting example, it is noted that, starting from MEC 47, the magnetic flux of which is pointing downward, the magnetic flux of each successive MEC (moving to the right) is offset 45° from its adjacent MECs, such that the magnetic flux “rotates” clockwise, consistent with an “M8 Halbach” magnetic array.
[0067] In the exemplary embodiment of
[0068]
[0069]
[0070]
[0071] A magnetic force acts on each magnetic element of first repeatable magnet arrangement 2. This magnetic force results from the proximately arranged magnetic elements within first repeatable magnet arrangement 2 and from the proximately arranged magnetic elements within oppositely arranged and offset second repeatable magnet arrangement 4. Thus, it is understood that each magnetic force comprises a first force component in a direction parallel to reference line 101 and a second force component in a direction perpendicular to reference line 101.
[0072] A first magnetic force 211 is applied to first MEC 31; a second magnetic force 212 is applied to second MEC 32; a third magnetic force 213 is applied to third MEC 33; a fourth magnetic force 214 is applied to fourth MEC 34; a fifth magnetic force 215 is applied to fifth MEC 35; a sixth magnetic force 216 is applied to sixth MEC 36; a seventh magnetic force 217 is applied to seventh MEC 37; an eighth magnetic force 218 is applied to eighth MEC 38; a ninth magnetic force 219 is applied to ninth MEC 39; a tenth magnetic force 220 is applied to tenth MEC 40; an eleventh magnetic force 221 is applied to eleventh MEC 41; a twelfth magnetic force 222 is applied to twelfth MEC 42; a thirteenth magnetic force 223 is applied to thirteenth MEC 43; a fourteenth magnetic force 224 is applied to fourteenth MEC 44; a fifteenth magnetic force 225 is applied to fifteenth MEC 45; a sixteenth magnetic force 226 is applied to sixteenth MEC 46.
[0073] For the force components parallel to reference line 101, second magnetic force 212 cancels sixteenth magnetic force 226, third magnetic force 213 cancels fifteenth magnetic force 225, fourth magnetic force 214 cancels fourteenth magnetic force 224, fifth magnetic force 215 cancels thirteenth magnetic force 223, sixth magnetic force 216 cancels twelfth magnetic force 222, seventh magnetic force 217 cancels eleventh magnetic force 221, and eighth magnetic force 218 cancels tenth magnetic force 220. Further, in the direction parallel to reference line 101, first and ninth magnetic forces 211, 219 are negligible. The result is no net magnetic forces on magnetic arrangement 2 parallel to reference line 101, as they are locally canceled out.
[0074] For the force components perpendicular to reference line 101, the first, second, fourth, sixth, twelfth, fourteenth, and sixteenth magnetic forces 211, 212, 214, 216, 222, 224, 226 are negligible. Further, for the force components perpendicular to reference line 101, third and fifteenth magnetic force 213, 225 oppose the fifth and thirteenth magnetic forces 215, 223, and the seventh, eighth, tenth, and eleventh magnetic forces 217, 218, 220, 221 oppose the ninth magnetic force 219. The result is no net magnetic forces on magnetic arrangement 2 parallel to reference line 101, as they are locally canceled out.
[0075] In embodiments, the magnetic elements in first repeatable magnet arrangement 2 and second repeatable magnet arrangement 4 are formed together and are encased within a fixed magnet housing structure, such as an electric motor or custom designed rigid part. As shown in
[0076] Because first repeatable magnet arrangement 2 can be repeated within first magnet array 1 and second repeatable magnet arrangement 4 can be repeated within second magnet array 2—and because first magnet array 1 and second magnet array 2 have a fixed orientation—the magnetic field 7 described in
[0077] Further, since first repeatable magnet arrangement 2 and second repeatable magnet arrangement 4 are similar, the magnitude of magnetic forces applied to second repeatable magnet arrangement 4 will be similar to the magnitude of magnetic forces applied to first repeatable magnet arrangement 2. However, because the second plurality of magnetic elements in second repeatable magnet arrangement 4 have different orientations than the magnetic elements in first repeatable magnet arrangement 2, the direction of magnetic forces applied to the second repeatable magnet arrangement 4 may differ.
[0078] Despite the differing orientations of the magnetic forces applied to second repeatable magnet arrangement 4, these magnetic forces will cancel out locally (similarly to the magnetic forces applied to first repeatable magnet arrangement 2).
[0079] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.
[0080] The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.
[0081] Accordingly, the novel architecture is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
[0082] While the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the embodiments of the disclosure. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, modifications may be made without departing from the essential teachings of the disclosure. Furthermore, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure.
[0083] While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept.
[0084] Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the embodiments are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional embodiments is reserved.