Magnetic incrementing detent

Claim 2

In a multiphase magnetic linear incrementing drive having a movable element and a stationary element in spaced juxtaposition to one another, the improvement comprising a unitary magnetic driving surface on a first one of said elements having integrally formed thereon at least three magnetic areas, each of said areas comprising a plurality of parallel equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of movement of said movable element, the lands and grooves in each of said areas being in relative phase differential with respect to the lands and grooves in each of the others of said areas, and a magnetic driving surface on the second of said elements comprising a plurality of equally spaced lands and grooves identical to and in parallel alignment with the lands and grooves of said first element, said magnetic surfaces being in spaced juxtaposition to one another.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said magnetic areas is centrally disposed with respect to the magnetic surface of said movable element and the others of said magnetic areas each comprise at least two spaced segments having their centers of area equidistant from and diagonally symmetrical about the longitudinal center axis of said movable element.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said magnetic areas are formed on one surface of a plate of magnetic material mounted on said first element in spaced juxtaposition to the magnetic surface of said second element.

Claim 5

In a magnetic linear incrementing drive having a movable element with a planar surface and a stationary element with a planar surface, said planar surfaces being in spaced juxtaposition to one another, the improvement comprising: a. a plate affixed to a first one of said planar surfaces, said plate having integrally formed on one surface thereof at least three magnetic areas, each of said areas comprising a plurality of parallel, equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of said movable member, the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each one of the others of said magnetic areas; b. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the opposite surface of said plate in registration and magnetic association with a different one of said magnetic areas, each of said sets having a common electrical connection; c. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets; and, d. air bearing means maintaining said movable member in floating spaced juxtaposition above said stationary member.

Claim 6

In a magnetic linear incrementing drive having a movable element with a planar surface and a stationary element with a planar surface, said planar surfaces being in spaced juxtaposition to one another, the improvement comprising: a. a plate affixed to a first one of said planar surfaces, said plate having integrally formed on one surface thereof at least three magnetic areas, each of said areas comprising a plurality of parallel, equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of said movable member, the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each one of the others of said magnetic areas; b. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the opposite surface of said plate in registration and magnetic association with a different one of said magnetic areas, each of said sets having a common electrical connection; c. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets; and, d. air bearing means maintaining said movable member in floating spaced juxtaposition above said stationary member.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said magnetic areas have a geometrical arrangement comprising: a first magnetic area having its center in registration with the longitudinal center axis of the magnetic surface of said movable member, second and third magnetic areas each comprising at least two spaced segments whose centers of area are equidistant from and diagonally symmetrical about said longitudinal center axis.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the lands and grooves in registration with a particular one of said electromagnets span the pole faces thereof.

Claim 9

In a multiphase magnetic incrementing drive having a movable member slideably mounted above a stationary member for one-dimensional linear movement relative thereto, said members having magnetic coupling surfaces in spaced juxtaposition to one another, the improvement comprising: a. a pair of magnetic plates disposed in spaced apart juxtaposition to one another, a first one of said plates mounted on the upper surface of said stationary member and having formed in its upper surface at least three magnetic areas, one of which is centrally located on said plate, each one of said areas comprising a plurality of parallel equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of said movable member, the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each of the other magnetic areas, the second of said plates mounted on the lower surface of said stationary member and having formed on its lower surface a plurality of lands and grooves identical to and in parallel alignment with the lands and grooves on said first plate; b. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the lower surface of said first plate in magnetic association with a corresponding one of said magnetic areas; and, c. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets.

Claim 10

In a multiphase magnetic incrementing drive having a movable member slideably mounted above a stationary member for one-dimensional linear movement relative thereto, said members having magnetic coupling surfaces in spaced juxtaposition to one another, the improvement comprising: a. a pair of magnetic plates disposed in spaced apart juxtaposition to one another, a first one of said plates mounted on the upper surface of said stationary member and having formed in its upper surface at least three magnetic areas, one of which is centrally located on said plate, each one of said areas comprising a plurality of parallel equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of said movable member, the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each of the other magnetic areas, the second of said plates mounted on the lower surface of said stationary member and having formed on its lower surface a plurality of lands and grooves identical to and in parallel alignment with the lands and grooves on said first plate; b. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the lower surface of said first plate in magnetic association with a corresponding one of said magnetic areas; and, c. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 7 further comprising air bearing means for maintaining said movable member in floating spaced juxtaposition above said plate.

Claim 12

Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said magnetic areas have a geometrical arrangement comprising a first undivided magnetic area centrally located on said plate and second and third magnetic areas each comprising at least two spaced segments whose centers of area are equidistant from and diagonally opposed about an axis through the center of said plate extending in the direction of movement of said movable member.

Claim 13

In a multiphase magnetic incrementing drive having a stationary member and a movable member slideably mounted above said stationary member for bi-directional linear movement relative thereto, said elements having juxtaposed magnetic driving surfaces, the improvement comprising: a. a plate mounted on the top surface of said stationary member and having formed in its upper surface at least three magnetic areas one of which is centrally located on said plate, each of said magnetic areas comprising a plurality of parallel, equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of motion of said movable member, the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to The lands and grooves in each one of the others of said magnetic areas; b. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the lower surface of said plate, the magnets of each one of said sets having a common electrical connection and being in registration and magnetic association with a different one of said magnetic areas; c. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets; and, d. air bearing means maintaining said movable member in floating spaced juxtaposition above said stationary member.

Claim 14

In a multiphase magnetic incrementing drive having a stationary member and a movable member slideably mounted above said stationary member for bi-directional linear movement relative thereto, said elements having juxtaposed magnetic driving surfaces, the improvement comprising: a. a plate mounted on the top surface of said stationary member and having formed in its upper surface at least three magnetic areas one of which is centrally located on said plate, each of said magnetic areas comprising a plurality of parallel, equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of motion of said movable member, the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to The lands and grooves in each one of the others of said magnetic areas; b. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the lower surface of said plate, the magnets of each one of said sets having a common electrical connection and being in registration and magnetic association with a different one of said magnetic areas; c. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets; and, d. air bearing means maintaining said movable member in floating spaced juxtaposition above said stationary member.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said magnetic areas have a geometrical arrangement comprising: a first undivided magnetic area having its center in registration with the longitudinal center axis of the magnetic surface of said movable member, second and third magnetic areas each comprising at least two spaced segments whose centers of area are equidistant from and diagonally symmetrical about said longitudinal center axis.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the lands and grooves in registration with a particular one of said electromagnets span the pole faces thereof.

Claim 17

A linear incrementing drive comprising: a. a stationary member having a magnetic surface; b. a movable member slideably mounted above said stationary member for linear movement toward and away from a work area, said movable member having a magnetic surface in spaced juxtaposition to the magnetic surface of said stationary member, a first one of said magnetic surfaces having a plurality of parallel, equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of movement of said movable member, and a second one of said magnetic surfaces having at least three magnetic areas each comprising a plurality of lands and grooves in parallel orientation to the lands and grooves of said first magnetic surface with the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each of the others of said magnetic areas, said magnetic areas having a geometrical arrangement comprising a first undivided magnetic area having its center in alignment with the longitudinal center axis of said movable member, and second and third magnetic areas each comprising at least two spaced segments equidistant from and diagonally opposed about said axis; c. at least three sets of electromagnets having two pole faces contacting said second magnetic surface, the component magnets of each one of said sets having a common electrical connection and being in magnetic association with a corresponding one of said magnetic areas; d. air bearing means maintaining said movable member in floating spaced relationship above said stationary member; and, e. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets.

Claim 18

A linear incrementing drive comprising: a. a stationary member having a magnetic surface; b. a movable member slideably mounted above said stationary member for linear movement toward and away from a work area, said movable member having a magnetic surface in spaced juxtaposition to the magnetic surface of said stationary member, a first one of said magnetic surfaces having a plurality of parallel, equally spaced lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of movement of said movable member, and a second one of said magnetic surfaces having at least three magnetic areas each comprising a plurality of lands and grooves in parallel orientation to the lands and grooves of said first magnetic surface with the lands and grooves in each one of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each of the others of said magnetic areas, said magnetic areas having a geometrical arrangement comprising a first undivided magnetic area having its center in alignment with the longitudinal center axis of said movable member, and second and third magnetic areas each comprising at least two spaced segments equidistant from and diagonally opposed about said axis; c. at least three sets of electromagnets having two pole faces contacting said second magnetic surface, the component magnets of each one of said sets having a common electrical connection and being in magnetic association with a corresponding one of said magnetic areas; d. air bearing means maintaining said movable member in floating spaced relationship above said stationary member; and, e. means for selectively energizing each of said sets of electromagnets.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said second magnetic surface comprises a plate having integrally formed on one surface thereof the lands and grooves of said three magnetic areas and having said electromagnet pole faces contacting the other surface thereof in registration with said magnetic areas.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the lands and grooves in magnetic association with a particular one of said electromagnets span the pole faces thereof.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said first magnetic surface is on said movable member and said second magnetic surface is on said stationary member.

Claim 22

An incrementing magnetic driving comprising: a. a stationary base; b. a movable carriage slideably mounted in superior spaced relationship to said base for relative linear movement with respect thereto toward and away from a work area; c. a pair of magnetic plates disposed in spaced apart juxtaposition to one another, one of said plates mounted on said carriage and the other of said plates mounted on said base, a first one of said plates having formed on the surface adjacent to the second one of sAid plates a plurality of parallel lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of carriage movement, and the second one of said plates having formed on its surface adjacent the first one of said plates at least three magnetic areas each of said areas comprising a plurality of lands and grooves in parallel alignment with the lands and grooves of said first plate, the lands and grooves in each of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each of the others of said magnetic areas; d. air bearing means maintaining said carriage plate and said base plate in spaced relationship; e. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the obverse surface of said second plate, the magnets of each one of said sets being in registration and magnetic association with a different one of said magnetic areas and having a common electrical connection; and, f. means for selectively energizing said sets of electromagnets.

Claim 23

An incrementing magnetic driving comprising: a. a stationary base; b. a movable carriage slideably mounted in superior spaced relationship to said base for relative linear movement with respect thereto toward and away from a work area; c. a pair of magnetic plates disposed in spaced apart juxtaposition to one another, one of said plates mounted on said carriage and the other of said plates mounted on said base, a first one of said plates having formed on the surface adjacent to the second one of sAid plates a plurality of parallel lands and grooves extending in a direction transverse to the path of carriage movement, and the second one of said plates having formed on its surface adjacent the first one of said plates at least three magnetic areas each of said areas comprising a plurality of lands and grooves in parallel alignment with the lands and grooves of said first plate, the lands and grooves in each of said magnetic areas being in relative phase differential to the lands and grooves in each of the others of said magnetic areas; d. air bearing means maintaining said carriage plate and said base plate in spaced relationship; e. at least three sets of electromagnets having pole faces contacting the obverse surface of said second plate, the magnets of each one of said sets being in registration and magnetic association with a different one of said magnetic areas and having a common electrical connection; and, f. means for selectively energizing said sets of electromagnets.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said magnetic areas have a geometrical arrangement comprising: a first undivided magnetic area having its center in alignment with the longitudinal center axis of said carriage plate, and second and third magnetic areas each comprising at least two spaced segments having centers of area equidistant from and diagonally opposed about said axis.

Claim 25

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the lands and grooves on said second plate in registration with a particular one of said electromagnets span the pole faces thereof.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said first plate is mounted on said carriage and said second plate is mounted on said base.