Patent ID: 6466119
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A magnetic particle device comprising:A rotor assembly comprising an output shaft to which is attached along the length of said shaft a plurality of magnets in relatively close proximity to each other where the plurality of said magnets have like magnetic poles confronting each other to produce an intensified magnetic force between them greater than that of one said magnet alone an outer shell comprised of a magnetically permeable material where said rotor assembly is positioned substantially inside said magnetically permeable outer shell and which largely contains the magnetic field created by said rotor assembly and where said magnetically permeable outer shell constitutes an axially nearly continuous inner surface such that a generally annular gap which excludes the use of magnetic coils is created between the outer surface of said magnets and inner surface of said magnetically permeable outer shell a magnetically permeable powder located in said generally annular gap where said magnetically permeable powder is magnetically held in a magnetic flux path between said rotor and said outer shell which allows for relative motion with continued resistance to said motion between said rotor assembly and said outer shell once a predetermined force level has been exceeded.