Field shaping magnet structure

Claim 2

A magnet structure comprising: a pair of spaced magnetic pole pieces operatively disposed in alignment with one another and oppositely polarized in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of alignment; and reluctor circuit means interconnecting the pole pieces for providing a desired magnetic scalar potential profile, the reluctant circuit means including a linear array of alternate nonmagnetic layers and interposed magnetic members disposed between the pole pieces, the magnetic members being spaced progressively varying distances from one another.

Claim 3

A magnet structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the array includes respective end portions, each having a plurality of sOft magnetic members spaced progressively closer together as a function of their respective distances from the adjacent pole piece.

Claim 4

A magnet structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the array also includes a central portion having a plurality of soft magnetic members spaced progressively farther apart as a function of their respective distances from the adjacent end of the central portion toward the midpoint thereof.

Claim 5

A magnet structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the array includes respective intermediate transitional portions disposed in operative alignment between respective end portions and the central portion, each intermediate portion comprising at least one soft magnetic member suitably spaced from the adjacent end portion of the array by an interposed nonmagnetic layer.

Claim 6

A magnet structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein the one soft magnetic member has a greater axial thickness than the thicknesses of the soft magnetic members in the adjacent end portion of the array.

Claim 7

A solenoid magnet structure comprising: a pair of axially aligned annular magnets oppositely polarized with respect to one another in the radial direction and operatively spaced apart for magnetically coupling to one another by an associated axial magnetic field of flux; a flux return cylinder made of magnetically permeable material and having respective end portions suitably coupled to outer peripheral portions of the annular magnets; and a flux distributing cylinder operatively disposed between respective inner peripheral portions of the annular magnets and comprising an aligned array of laminated rings, alternate rings being made of nonmagnetic material and the interposed rings being made of soft magnetic material.

Claim 8

A solenoid magnet structure comprising: a pair of axially aligned annular magnets oppositely polarized with respect to one another in the radial direction and operatively spaced apart for magnetically coupling to one another by an associated axial magnetic field of flux; a flux return cylinder made of magnetically permeable material and having respective end portions suitably coupled to outer peripheral portions of the annular magnets; and a flux distributing cylinder operatively disposed between respective inner peripheral portions of the annular magnets and comprising an aligned array of laminated rings, alternate rings being made of nonmagnetic material and the interposed rings being made of soft magnetic material.

Claim 9

A solenoid magnet structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein the array includes respective end portions, each having a plurality of soft magnetic rings spaced progressively closer together as a function of their respective distances from the adjacent magnet.

Claim 10

A solenoid magnet structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein the array also includes a central portion having a plurality of soft magnetic rings spaced progressively farther apart as a function of their respective distances from the adjacent end of the central portion toward the midpoint thereof.

Claim 11

A solenoid magnet structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein the array also includes respective intermediate transitional portions operatively disposed between respective end portions and the central portion of the array, each intermediate portion comprising at least one soft magnetic ring suitably spaced from the adjacent end portion by an interposed nonmagnetic ring.

Claim 12

A solenoid magnet structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein the one soft magnetic ring has a greater axial thickness than the thicknesses of the soft magnetic rings in the adjacent end portion of the array.