US4332450A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magnetic actuation methods and apparatus
Assignee: James Dole Corp
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Filing: 1980-09-15
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Granted: 1982-06-01
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Expires: 2000-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Magnetic actuation methods and apparatus provide in an air gap a first magnetic field and a magnet having a second magnetic field at an angle to and interacting with the first magnetic field. A pivot axis for the magnet is located laterally and entirely outside of the air gap, and such magnet is displaced in the air gap with the interacting first and second magnetic fields about the laterally located pivot axis. In practice, the air gap may be provided by a pair of pole pieces and the magnet may be located on a lever extending past the air gap. Such lever may be pivoted about an axis extending through one of the pole pieces. The lever is then displaced with the magnet and the magnetic field in the air gap.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald W. Griffith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/08; G03B9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a magnetic actuation method, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a first magnetic field in an air gap; providing in said air gap a magnet having a second magnetic field at an angle to and interacting with said first magnetic field; locating a pivot axis for said magnet laterally and entirely outside of said air gap; distorting said air gap at a boundary thereof for imposing a unidirectional retention force on said magnet; and displacing with said interacting first and second magnetic fields said magnet in said air gap about said laterally located pivot axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a magnetic actuation method, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a first magnetic field in an air gap; providing in said air gap a magnet having a second magnetic field at an angle to and interacting with said first magnetic field; locating a pivot axis for said magnet laterally and entirely outside of said air gap; distorting said air gap at a boundary thereof for imposing a unidirectional retention force on said magnet; and displacing with said interacting first and second magnetic fields said magnet in said air gap about said laterally located pivot axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: actuating an optical shutter with said displacing magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said magnet is attached to a lever; and said lever is pivoted about said pivot axis located laterally and entirely outside of said air gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said lever is angularly displaced with said attached magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein: an optical aperture is selectively obstructed by said lever upon angular displacement thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a magnetic actuation method, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a pair of pole pieces having an air gap therebetween; providing a lever extending past said air gap; pivoting said lever about a pivot axis extending through one of said pole pieces; placing a magnet in said air gap; attaching said magnet to said lever; providing a magnetic field between said pole pieces in said air gap; and displacing said lever with said magnetic field and magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a magnetic actuation method, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a pair of pole pieces having an air gap therebetween; providing a lever extending past said air gap; pivoting said lever about a pivot axis extending through one of said pole pieces; placing a magnet in said air gap; attaching said magnet to said lever; providing a magnetic field between said pole pieces in said air gap; and displacing said lever with said magnetic field and magnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said pivoting includes attaching a pivot for said lever to said one pole piece laterally and entirely outside of said air gap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said lever is displaced bistably between extreme first and second positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said pole pieces are formed symmetrically relative to a plane extending along said pivot axis and between said pole pieces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said lever is displaced monostably relative to a rest position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: at least one of said pole pieces is distorted for imposing a unidirectional retention force on said magnet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said pole pieces are formed asymmetrically relative to a plane extending along said pivot axis and between said pole pieces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: at least one of said pole pieces is formed irregularly at said air gap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: one of said pole pieces is formed with a recessed portion at said air gap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: one of said pole pieces is formed with a projecting portion; and the other of said pole pieces is formed with a recessed portion opposite said projecting portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, 7, 8 10 or 15, wherein: an optical shutter is actuated with said displacing lever.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a magnetic actuator, the improvement comprising in combination: means for providing a first magnetic field in an air gap; a magnet in said air gap having a second magnetic field at an angle to and interacting with said first magnetic field; means for locating a pivot axis for said magnet laterally and entirely outside of said air gap; means for distorting said air gap at a boundary thereof for imposing a unidirectional retention force on said magnet; and means connected to said magnet and to said pivot axis locating means for displacing with said interacting first and second magnetic fields said magnet in said air gap about said laterally located pivot axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a magnetic actuator, the improvement comprising in combination: means for providing a first magnetic field in an air gap; a magnet in said air gap having a second magnetic field at an angle to and interacting with said first magnetic field; means for locating a pivot axis for said magnet laterally and entirely outside of said air gap; means for distorting said air gap at a boundary thereof for imposing a unidirectional retention force on said magnet; and means connected to said magnet and to said pivot axis locating means for displacing with said interacting first and second magnetic fields said magnet in said air gap about said laterally located pivot axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 17, including: an optical shutter coupled to said magnet for actuation thereby.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 17, wherein: said displacing means include a lever carrying said magnet and pivoted about said laterally located pivot axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 19, including: means for positioning an optical aperture in a path of said lever for selective obstruction thereby.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a magnetic actuator, the improvement comprising in combination: means for providing a magnetic field in an air gap, including a pair of pole pieces defining said air gap; a lever extending past said air gap; means connected to said lever for pivoting said lever about a pivot axis extending through one of said pole pieces; and a magnet located in said air gap and attached to said lever.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a magnetic actuator, the improvement comprising in combination: means for providing a magnetic field in an air gap, including a pair of pole pieces defining said air gap; a lever extending past said air gap; means connected to said lever for pivoting said lever about a pivot axis extending through one of said pole pieces; and a magnet located in said air gap and attached to said lever.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, wherein: said pivoting means include a pivot attached to said one pole piece laterally and entirely outside of said air gap.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, including: means for displacing said lever bistably between extreme first and second positions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, wherein: said pole pieces have a symmetrical configuration relative to a plane extending along said pivot axis and between said pole pieces.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, including: means for displacing said lever monostably relative to a rest position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, including: means for imposing a unidirectional retention force on said magnet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, wherein: said pole pieces have an asymmetrical configuration relative to a plane extending along said pivot axis and between said pole pieces.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, wherein: one of said pole pieces has an irregular configuration at said air gap.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, wherein: one of said pole pieces has a recessed portion at said air gap.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, wherein: one of said pole pieces has a projecting portion; and the other of said pole pieces has a recessed portion opposite said projecting portion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator as claimed in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 30, wherein: said lever is part of an optical shutter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-31 | 1985-11-30 | 1986-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-31 | 1989-11-30 | 1990-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-31 | 1993-11-30 | 1994-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |