Patent Publication Number: US-2004051610-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for electromagnetically magnetizing and demagnetizing metallic tool shafts

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001] Not applicable.  
       [0002] 1. Background—Field of Invention  
       [0003] This invention relates to magnetizing/demagnetizing devices, specifically to a compact, fast, powerful, electric metallic shaft magnetizer/demagnetizer.  
       [0004] 2. Background—Description of Prior Art  
       [0005] Technicians, mechanics, hobbyists, or anyone wishing to service any machine or apparatus often desire or require the magnetization of their instruments which contain metallic shafts such as screwdrivers, screwdriver bits, tweezers, allen wrench, etc.  
       [0006] Conversely, there are instances in which a magnetized driver bit tip or other said instrument is a disadvantage, because it undesirably attracts and attaches to itself various magnetizable elements or components. Under such circumstances, it may be desirable to demagnetize said instrument that had been originally magnetized in order to render it magnetically neutral.  
       [0007] A conventional screwdriver  110  is shown in FIG. 8. Screwdrivers are often magnetized during the manufacturing process. Either the entire metallic shaft ill or the front end of the metallic shaft is magnetized to form a magnetized section  112 . Over time, the level of magnetism will degrade. If the shaft  111  is subjected to high temperatures or violent shaking, the magnetism will often degrade or even completely disappear.  
       [0008] Devices for magnetizing/demagnetizing tools and small parts are well known. These normally incorporate one or more permanent magnets which create a sufficiently high magnetic field to magnetize at least a portion of a magnetizable element brought into its field. The body can be magnetized by bringing it into the magnetic field. While the magnetic properties of all materials make them respondent in some way to magnetic fields, most materials are diamagnetic or paramagnetic and show almost no response to magnetic fields. However, a magnetizable element made of a ferromagnetic material readily responds to a magnetic field and becomes, at least temporarily, magnetized when placed in such a magnetic field.  
       [0009] Most magnetizers/demagnetizers include commercial magnets which are formed of either Alnico or of ceramic materials. The driver members/fasteners, on the other hand, are normally made of soft materials which are readily magnetized but more easily lose their magnetization, such as by being drawn over an iron or steel surface, subjected to a demagnetizing influence such as strong electromagnetic fields or other permanent magnetic fields, severe mechanical shock or extreme temperature variations.  
       [0010] One example of a stand alone magnetizer/demagnetizer is magnetizer/demagnetizer Model No. 40010, made in Germany by Wiha. This unit consists of a plastic box that has two adjacent openings defined by three spaced transverse portions. Magnets are placed within the transverse portions to provide magnetic fields in each of the two openings which are directed in substantially opposing directions. Therefore, when a magnetizable tool bit or any magnetizable component is placed within one of the openings, it becomes magnetized and when placed in the other of the openings, it becomes demagnetized. The demagnetizing window is provided with progressive steps to stepwise decrease the air gap for the demagnetizing field and, therefore, provides different levels of strengths of the demagnetizing field.  
       [0011] Another example of a stand alone magnetizer/demagnetizer is U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,199 to Liu (2001). Shown in FIG. 9, it consists of a casing  120  which contains two magnets and a cavity or socket  122  between the magnets for insertion of a screwdriver. When the metallic stem  112  of the screwdriver  110  is abraded back and forth against the demagnetizing face of the outer casing and at the same time rotated, the screwdriver is demagnetized. When the screwdriver is placed inside the cavity, and abraded back and forth therein and rotated at the same time, the screwdriver is magnetized.  
       [0012] An example of an integrated magnetizer is U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,718 to Anderson (2000). It consists of a magnetizer/demagnetizer for integration with a non-operative portion of a hand-held driving tool or the like, The driving tool has at least one permanent magnet provided on the handle.  
       [0013] All the magnetizer/demagnetizers heretofore known and other similar magnetizer/demagnetizers which utilize magnets to achieve magnetization/demagnetization suffer from a number of disadvantages:  
       [0014] (a) the use of magnets in magnetizer/demagnetizers makes such a tool a danger in itself around sensitive electronic and/or magnetic equipment such as computers, memory components, video tapes, disks, memory sticks, credit card, etc. Placement near said sensitive equipment could cause damage to such equipment.  
       [0015] (b) the use of magnets in magnetizer/demagnetizers makes such a tool a danger in itself if left on top of, or very close to any monitor, causing distortion of picture quality, often requiring degaussing or service by qualified repairman. Some watches, or other fine, delicate, precise, and/or scientific machinery/instruments can be made inoperative or out of alignment.  
       [0016] (c) the use of magnets in magnetizer/demagnetizers makes such a tool a major attractor of other metallic objects. If such a tool is used in an environment which contains metal shavings, keeping the magnetizer/demagnetizer clean can become a serious effort. For highly sensitive applications where fine metallic objects such as shavings are undesired, once a magnetizer/demagnetizer becomes polluted with metallic shavings it can no longer be used in such a setting and must be replaced. Another problem related to unwanted attraction can be witnessed in crammed tool boxes as the magnetizer/demagnetizer surrounded by other tools tend to stick one another.  
       [0017] (d) the magnetization and demagnetization process can often involve a collection of various complex motions that must be performed in addition to simple insertion. Depending on the magnetizer/demagnetizer the process can be complex, and not always reliable.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0018] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:  
       [0019] (a) to provide a magnetizer/demagnetizer whose physical placement or proximity is not a danger to any sensitive electronic and/or magnetic equipment such as computers, memory components, video tapes, disks, memory sticks, etc.  
       [0020] (b) to provide a magnetizer/demagnetizer whose physical placement or proximity is not a danger to any monitor, watch, or other fine, delicate, precise, and/or scientific machinery/instruments.  
       [0021] (c) to provide a magnetizer/demagnetizer which is not constantly magnetic, and thus not an attractor of metallic shavings, metallic tools or other metallic objects.  
       [0022] (d) to provide a magnetizer/demagnetizer whose magnetization and demagnetization process does not require a collection of various complex motions that must be performed by the users Operation of the tool is reliable, simple, and straightforward.  
       [0023] Further objects and advantages are:  
       [0024] (i) to provide a magnetizer/demagnetizer which performs the magnetization and demagnetization processes only when the user wishes it to.  
       [0025] (ii) to provide a magnetizer/demagnetizer which is electrically powered, but is hand-held, portable and mobile—does not need to be connected to a powder outlet.  
       [0026] (iii) to provide a magnetizer/demagnetizer when utilized in connection with rotating shafts of various machinery to assist in gear switching by engaging and disengaging connecting shafts.  
       [0027] (iv) to provide independent magnetizing and demagnetizing process universally applicable to many more uses.  
       [0028] (v) to provide repeatable magnetizing and demagnetizing in rapid succession limited by available power supply. Hand powered and battery powered units are capable of repeating either process every 3-4 seconds.  
       [0029] (vi) still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES  
     [0030] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but may have an additional different alphabetic suffix.  
     [0031]FIG. 1 shows front and side views of a hand-held hand-powered magnetizer/demagnetizer unit.  
     [0032]FIG. 1A shows the same things as FIG. 1, except it is labeled.  
     [0033]FIG. 2 shows front and side views of a hand-held battery-powered or optional AC/DC (alternating current/direct current) powered magnetizer/demagnetizer unit.  
     [0034]FIG. 2A shows the same things as FIG. 2, except it is labeled.  
     [0035]FIG. 3 is a drawing of the actual coil assembly showing a shaft of a screwdriver inserted in the socket within the coils.  
     [0036]FIG. 4 is a detailed schematic of a hand-held hand-powered magnetizer/demagnetizer.  
     [0037]FIG. 5 is a detailed schematic of a hand-held hand-powered magnetizer only.  
     [0038]FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic of a battery-powered or optional AC/DC powered magnetizer/demagnetizer.  
     [0039]FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic of a battery-powered or optional AC/DC red magnetizer only.  
     [0040]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional magnetized screwdriver or art).  
     [0041]FIG. 9 shows the demagnetization operation of a screwdriver with a magnet based magnetizer/demagnetizer, specifically for the unit described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,199 to Liu (2001) (prior art).  
                               REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS                                                10   hand-powered AC   12   C1 electrolytic capacitor 470 μF           generator       14   C2 electrolytic capacitor   16   D1 silicon diode 50 V PRV           10000 μF       (peek reverse voltage) 1A       18   D2 Silicon diode 50 V   20   Z1 Zener diode 16 V 0.5 W           PRV 1A       22   Z2 Zener diode 15 V   24   LED1 green LED - charge           0.5 W       indicator       26   LED2 bright red LED -   28   Q1 SCR (silicon control           action indicator       rectifier) - discharge switch       30   R1 10 kohms 0.5 W   32   330 ohms 0.5 W resistor           resistor       34   R3 680 ohms 0.5 W   40   S1 function selection DPDT           resistor       switch       42   lever used on hand-   44   outer casing for hand-powered           powered AC generator       unit       46   outer casing for the coils           assembly - note the coils           assembly is just the           two coils L1 (80)           and L2 (82) together.       50   CN1 9 V battery   52   CN2 9 V battery connector           connector       54   R1 220 ohms 1 W   56   R2 18 kohms 0.5 W resistor           resistor       58   R3 18 kohms 0.5 W   60   R4 3.3 kohms 0.5 W resistor           resistor       62   R5 1 kohm 0.5 W   64   R6 680 ohms 0.5 W resistor           resistor       66   C1 electrolytic capacitor   68   LED1 green LED - ready           11000 μF       indicator       70   LED2 red LED - action   72   LED3 green LED - charge           indicator       indicator       74   Z1 Zener diode 15 V   76   Z2 Zener diode 12 V 0.5 W           0.5 W       78   Q1 SCR - discharge   80   L1 coil - 74 turns, 0.5 mm,           switch       copper wire       82   L2 coil - 74 turns,   84   R7 2.2 kohms 0.5 W resistor           0.5 mm, copper wire       86   S1 function selection   88   S2 Charge or Action/Off DPDT           DPDT switch       switch       90   IC1 charge indicator   92   D1 polarity protective silicon           control chip (opamp -       diode 400 V PRV 1A           LM741)       94   CN3 19 V DC external   96   shaft socket           power connector       98   outer casing for battery           powered unit       110   screwdriver   112   metallic shaft       114   magnetic section of shaft       120   outer casing which   122   screwdriver socket           contains one magnet                  
 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION—FIGS  1 ,  1 A,  3 ,  4  AND  5 —PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0042] A preferred embodiment of the magnetizer/demagnetizer of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (includes two views: front and side). Note that FIG. 1A is the same drawing however with labels also drawn to assist in the illustration of the invention. Refer to FIG. 1 when locating reference numerals regarding the exterior description. These figures show the hand-held hand-powered magnetizer/demagnetizer. The invention is contained in a modified hand-powered AC generator casing  44 .  
     [0043] Notice the lever  42  which is used to power the AC generator  10  (see FIG. 4 and  5 ). The AC generator is contained inside the casing. The user would repeatedly press and release on the lever which has teeth which drive gears connected to a dynamo which generates electricity. The type of levers dynamo, or combination of the two is considered prior art and is used in conjunction with the invention as a source of electric power.  
     [0044] Besides the said lever, FIG. 1 shows the exterior of the invention. At the top of magnetizer/demagnetizer unit, a receptacle, cavity or socket  96  to receive one end of a metallic shaft, metallic instrument shafts, or a screwdriver shaft  112  (see FIG. 8) is provided. The socket is the hollow area inside the two coils L 1   80  and L 2   82 . The two coils, also refered to as the “coils assembly”, are contained inside the outer casing for the coils assembly  46 . FIG. 3 clearly shows an inserted screwdriver shaft  112  inside the two coils L 1   80  and L 2   82 . These coils are contained inside the casing  44  shown in FIG. 1. A red LED  26 , indicating action, protrudes through the casing. A green LED  24 , indicating charge, protrudes through the casing. A switch  40  for choosing either the magnetization or demagnetization function also protrudes through the casing. The outer casing  44  is typically about 65 mm long, 30 mm wide, and 130 mm high. The outer casing for the coils assembly  46  is 50 mm long, 20 mm wide, 20 mm high.  
     [0045] The rest of the invention lies within the casing and is best illustrated by the schematic in FIG. 4. Notice the placement of the hand powered AC generator  10  in the schematic, which is the source of electric energy for the hand-powered hand-held magnetizer/demagnetizer. It is connected to a capacitor  12  C 1  and a silicon diode  16  D 1 . These are further connected to a silicon diode  18  D 2  and a storage capacitor  14  C 2 . So  12 ,  16 ,  18 , and  14  form a “voltage doubler” or “doubler circuitry”. To the right of the voltage doubler, only DC voltage is present. The line at the top of the schematic can be considered the positive line, and the line at the bottom of the schematic can be considered the common or negative line. This is connected to a resistor  30  R 1 , which is connected to a Zener diode  20  Z 1 , which is connected to a green LED  24  LED 1 , which is connected to the negative line. Further along the positive line, a resistor  32  R 2  is connected. This resistor is connected to a Zener diode  22  Z 2 , which is connected to the gate of SCR (silicon control rectifier)  28  Q 1 . The positive line is connected to the SCR at its anode connection on one side. The SCR&#39;s cathode connection is connected to a line which is connected to the coil  80  L 1 , and also a red LED  26  LED 2 . The coil  80  L 1  is connected to the magnetize/demagnetize switch  40  S 1 , which is connected to the second coil  82  L 2 . The output of switch S 1  is connected to the negative line. The red LED  26  LED 2  is connected to a limiting resistor  34  R 3  which in turn is connected to the negative line.  
     [0046] A schematic which provides a design for a magnetizer only (no demagnetizer option available) is shown in FIG. 5. Notice that the schematic is exactly the same as the schematic in FIG. 4, except that the magnetize/demagnetize switch  40  S 1  has been removed from the circuit.  
     FIGS.  2 ,  2 A,  3 ,  6  AND  7 —ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS  
     [0047] Additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2, 2A,  6  and  7 . FIG. 2 shows two exterior views: front and side. Note that FIG. 2A is the same drawing however with labels also drawn to assist in the illustration of the invention. Refer to FIG. 2 when locating reference numerals regarding the exterior description. These figures show the hand-held battery-powered magnetizer/demagnetizer. The invention is contained in a casing  98 .  
     [0048] Notice the CN 3  AC/DC external power connector  94 . This provides an optional external power source other than the power provided by the internal batteries (location for installing two batteries can be seen in FIG. 6, at locations CN 1   50  and CN 2   52 ).  
     [0049]FIG. 2 shows the exterior of the invention. At the top of magnetizer/demagnetizer unit, a receptacle, cavity or socket  96  to receive one end of a metallic shaft, metallic instrument shafts, or a screwdriver shaft  112  (see FIG. 8) is provided. The socket is the hollow area inside the two coils L 1   80  and L 2   82 . FIG. 3 clearly shows an inserted screwdriver shaft  112  inside the two coils L 1   80  and L 2   82 . These coils are contained inside the casing  98  shown in FIG. 2. A red LED  70 , indicating action, protrudes through the casing. A green LED  72 , indicating charge, protrudes through the casing. Another green LED  68 , indicating the magnetizer/demagnetizer is ready for action, protrudes through the casing. A switch  88  for charging the magnetizer/demagnitzer and action/off also protrudes through the casing. A switch  86  for choosing either the magnetization or demagnetization function also protrudes through the casing. The outer casing  98  is typically about 65 mm long, 30 mm wide, and 130 mm high.  
     [0050] The rest of the invention lies within the casing and is best illustrated by the schematic in FIG. 6. Notice the placement of the AC/DC external power connector  94  CN 3 . It is connected to a protective diode  92  D 1 . Parallel to CN 3  and D 1  are connected two 9V battery connectors  50  CN 1  and  52  CN 2 . The positive line from CN 1  and CN 2  connects to a resistor  54  R 1  and a DPDT switch  88  S 2 . From this point onwards, there are two branches of the circuit: the charging branch and the discharge/action branch.  
     [0051] The charging branch is active when the DPDT switch  88  S 2  is connecting this branch to the power circuitry (battery connectors  50  and  52 , or external power connector  94 ). The lower pole of the DPDT switch is connected to a storage capacitor  66  C 1 . Prior to C 1  a resistor  58  R 3  is connects the line to pin 3 of pin 3 of IC (LM 741 )  90  IC 1 . Output pin 6 of IC 1  connects to resistor  60  R 4  which is connected to a green LED  68  LED 1 . Prior to R 3  is a connection to a resistor  84  R 7  connected to the anode connection of Zener diode  76  Z 2 . The cathode connection of Z 2  is connected to the anode of a green LED  72  LED 3 . The upper pole of the DPDT switch  88  S 2  connects to a resistor  56  R 2  to pin 2 of IC 1 . R 2  is further connected to Zener diode  74  Z 1 .  
     [0052] The discharge/action branch is active only when the DPDT switch  88  S 2  is disconnected from the positive line of the power circuitry (battery connectors  50  and  52 , or external power connector  94 ). When S 2  is in this position, it allows the capacitor  66  Cl to discharge through resistor  62  R 5  which is connected to the gate of SCR  78  Q 1 . This allows charge to move through Q 1  to the coil  80  L 1 . L 1  is connected to a DPDT switch  86  S 1  which selects either magnetize or demagnetize. S 1  is also connected to the second coil  82  L 2 . Prior to the coil L 1 , Q 1  is also connected to a red LED  70  LED 2 , which is connected to a resistor  64  R 6 .  
     [0053] A schematic which provides a design for a magnetizer only (no demagnetizer option available) is shown in FIG. 7. Notice that the schematic is exactly the same as the schematic in FIG. 6, except that the DPDT magnetize/demagnetize switch  86  S 1  has been removed from the circuit.  
     FIGS.  3 ,  6  AND  7 —ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
     [0054] There are various possibilities with regard to the placement of the electronic components contained in the schematics found in FIGS.  6  or  7 , in a variety of different machinery, devices and/or processes which desire the magnetization/demagnetization of ferromagnetic shafts within such machinery, devices, and/or processes. The outer casing and perhaps even the LED circuitry would not be needed. A higher output AC generator could be used allowing the removal or modification of the voltage doubler, and the addition of a voltage rectifier.  
     [0055] The above mentioned embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
     [0056] Advantages  
     [0057] From the description above, a number of advantages of my electric magnetizer/demagnetizer become evident:  
     [0058] (a) the magnetizer/demagnetizer produces a magnetic field only at a specific instant of time—only when the circuitry involved with the action state is active, and only when the user switches the device to do such action. This is an extremely short period of time, and depending on the coil assembly casing, shielding can be included to further shield the surroundings from the short-lived magnetic field produced by the coils. This will allow for safe storage and usage of the device around sensitive electronic and/or magnetic equipment such as computers, memory components, video tapes, disks, memory sticks, etc.  
     [0059] (b) for the same reasons as in (a) above, the magnetizer/demagnetizer&#39;s proximity during storage or even the charging phase is not a danger to any monitor, watch, or other fine, delicate, precise, and/or scientific machinery/instruments. Only during the extremely short action phase can some small momentary interference be noticed, especially if used in very close proximity to said machinery/instruments. This makes my invention very safe to use and store around said machinery/instruments. Since the magnetic field is only momentary, the magnetizer/demagnetizer will not attract metallic shavings, metallic tools or other metallic objects.  
     [0060] (c) the hand-held, hand-powered or battery-powered electric magnetizer/demagnetizer makes it very easy to magnetize or demagnetize any ferromagnetic metallic shafts, including but not limited to screwdriver shafts, in a portable and mobile fashion—away from power outlets. This is very useful for a variety of mechanics, technicians, scientists, and hobbyists. It&#39;s small size makes it an easy addition to any tool chest.  
     [0061] (d) the hand-held hand-powered electric magnetizer/demagnetizer is not dependent on either power outlets or even batteries, allowing the user to be even more independent.  
     [0062] (e) the LED lights give useful feedback to the user indicating: the action state occurred (i.e. either the magnetization or demagnetization process has occurred); charging state; ready state.  
     [0063] (f) the electronic components of my magnetizer/demagnetizer can be used in machinery, devices, and/or processes to aid in the magnetization and demagnetization of various metallic shafts. This can be useful to applications in industry, scientific research, or even consumer products.  
     [0064] (g) the hand-held nature of my magnetizer/demagnetizer makes it a useful ergonomic tool. The socket limits complexity of usage. Simply put the item you wish to magnetize or demagnetize in the socket. Both operations are performed in the same place, and require no further complex physical motions from the user, beyond operational control of the magnetizer/demagnetizer and compression of the lever in the hand-powered version.  
     [0065] OPERATION--FIGS  1 ,  1 A,  3 ,  4  AND  5   
     [0066] The manner of using the hand-held hand-powered magnetizer/demagnetizer is as follows: the user holds the magnetizer/demagnetizer contained in the outer casing  44  in either hand; places a metallic shaft, including but not limited to a screwdriver shaft  112 , in the socket  96  which is contained inside the outer casing for the coils assembly  46 . The user decides which operation to perform, either demagnetization or magnetization as appropriate, by selecting the correct position of switch  40  S 1 . The user then repeatedly presses and releases the lever  42 , which supplies electrical power to the magnetizer/demagnetizer via the internal electric generator  10 . As the lever is repeatedly being pressed firmly, the green LED  24  LED 1  begins to light and increase in brightness. This indicates that the magnetizer/demagnetizer is being charged. Once the internal charge reaches a required threshold, the red LED  26  LED 2  flashes brightly to indicate that the requested action, demagnetization or magnetization, has occurred. The average number of compressions to achieve the required threshold charge is between  4  to  5 , but this depends of course on what kind of hand powered generator is being used, and can vary from one type to another.  
     [0067] The rest of the invention lies within the casing and its operation is best followed by referring to the schematic in FIG. 4. As the hand-powered AC generator  10  in the schematic provides electrical energy for the hand-powered hand-held magnetizer/demagnetizer, it begins to charge capacitor  14  C 2 . The capacitor  12  Cl, silicon diode  16  Dl, silicon diode  18  D 2 , and the charging capacitor  14  C 2  form a voltage doubler. The resistor  30  R 1 , which is connected to a Zener diode  20  Z 1 , which is connected to a green LED  24  LED 1  allow LED 1  to light during the charging process, to indicate the charging of capacitor C 2  is in progress. Resistor  32  R 2  is connected, to a Zener diode  22  Z 2 , which is connected to the gate of SCR (silicon control rectifier)  28  Q 1 . At the appropriate voltage level, R 2  and Z 2  trigger Q 1  to conduction. This allows current to flow through the line which is connected to the coil  80  L 1 , and also a red LED  26  LED 2 . LED 2  flashes brightly indicating that the requested operation, magnetization or demagnetization, has occurred. The resistor  34  R 3  is a limiting resistor for LED 2 . Major current flows through the coil  80  L 1  and coil  82  L 2  via the magnetize/demagnetize switch  40  S 1 . S 1  determines the direction of magnetic flux of coil L 2 . In FIG. 5 the direction of magnetic flux in coil L 2  is fixed allowing only the magnetize operation to be performed.  
     [0068]FIGS. 2, 2A,  3 ,  6  AND  7   
     [0069] The manner of using the hand-held battery-powered magnetizer/demagnetizer is as follows: the user holds the magnetizer/demagnetizer contained in the outer casing  98  in either hand; places a metallic shaft, including but not limited to a screwdriver shaft  112 , in the socket  96  which is contained inside the outer casing  98 . The user decides which operation to perform, either demagnetization or magnetization as appropriate, by selecting the correct position of switch  86  S 1 . The user then selects the charge position on the switch  88  S 2 . The magnetizer/demagnetizer immediately begins to charge, and the green LED  72  LED 3  begins to light and gradually increase in brightness. This indicates that the magnetizer/demagnetizer is being charged. Once the internal charge reaches a required threshold, the green LED  68  LED 1  lights up to indicate that the magnetizer/demagnetizer is fully charged, and ready to perform the desired operation, magnetization or demagnetization. The user then flips the switch  88  S 2  from the charge position to the off or action position (the off position is the same as the action position). The red LED  70  LED 2  flashes brightly to indicate that the required operation, magnetization or demagnetization, has occurred. The average charge time to achieve the required threshold charge is about 5 seconds depending on the quality and strength of the batteries being used (longer if the batteries are weak). If the user is using the external power connection  94  CN 3  the charge time about 5 seconds.  
     [0070] The rest of the invention lies within the casing and its operation is best followed by referring to the schematic in FIG. 6. As the batteries contained in the battery connectors  50  CN 1  and  52  CN 2 , or external power supplied via the 19V DC external power connector  94  CN 3  provide electrical energy for the battery-powered hand-held magnetizer/demagnetizer, it begins to charge capacitor  66  C 1 . CN 3  is connected to a protective diode  92  D 1 . The resistor  54  R 1  limits the maximum charging current to the C 1 . The DPDT switch  88  S 2  allows the charging of C 1 , or the discharge of C 1 . The IC  90  IC 1  compares rising voltage on the charging capacitor C 1  against the source voltage through resistor  58  R 3  and resistor  56  R 2 . When these two voltages are equal, pin  6  becomes high. This allows the LED  68  LED 1  to shine via the limiting resistor  60  R 4 . The resistor  84  R 7 , connected to Zener diode  76  Z 2 , connected to the LED  72  LED 3  allows LED 3  to shine and gradually increase in brightness during the charging process. R 2  is further connected to Zener diode  74  Z 1  which sets reference voltage for IC 1 . When the DPDT switch  88  S 2  is disconnected from the positive line of the power circuitry (battery connectors  50  and  52 , or external power connector  94 ), it allows the capacitor  66  C 1  to discharge through resistor  62  R 5  which is connected to the gate of SCR  78  Q 1 . This allows charge to move through Q 1  to the coil  80  L 1  and the LED  70  LED 2 . LED 2  flashes brightly indicating that the requested operation, magnetization or demagnetization, has occurred. The resistor  64  R 6  is a limiting resistor for LED 2 . L 1  is connected to a DPDT switch  86  S 1  which selects either magnetize or demagnetize. S 1  is also connected to the second coil  82  L 2 . Major current flows through the coil  80  L 1  and coil  82  L 2  via S 1 . S 1  determines the direction of magnetic flux of coil L 2 . In FIG. 7 the direction of magnetic flux in coil L 2  is fixed, allowing only the magnetize operation to be performed.  
     [0071] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope  
     [0072] Accordingly, the reader will see that my magnetizer/demagnetizer can be used to magnetize or demagnetize a metallic shaft, including but not limited to a screwdriver shaft, easily and conveniently. Furthermore, the magnetizer/demagnetizer has the additional advantages in that  
     [0073] it produces a magnetic field only for an extremely short period of time during operation. While in storage, or when it is not being used, it produces no magnetic fields, thus it poses no danger to sensitive electronic and/or magnetic equipment.  
     [0074] it produces a magnetic field only for an extremely short period of time, and only when the user activates the magnetizer/demagnetizer to do so.  
     [0075] since it produces a magnetic field only for an extremely short period of time, it is not an permanent attractor of unwanted metallic shavings, metallic tools or other metallic objects  
     [0076] it provides a magnetization/demagnetization process which is easy to perform, and does not require a collection of various complex physical motions. The operation of the invention is reliable, simple and straightforward.  
     [0077] it provides a magnetization and demagnetization process which is electrically powered, but the apparatus is hand-held, compact, portable and mobile in nature, does not need to be connected to a power outlet, can easily fit on a tool belt, in a pant or shirt pocket, or in a tool box.  
     [0078] it provides a magnetization process which produces a very strong magnetized metallic shaft, much stronger than that which can be produced by portable magnet based magnetizers/demagnetizers.  
     [0079] it provides useful feedback to the user to indicate charging states, charging status, and action states.  
     [0080] it provides repeatable magnetizing and demagnetizing in rapid succession limited by available power supply.  
     [0081] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example,  
     [0082] my magnetizer/demagnetizer can be utilized in connection with rotating shafts of various machinery to assist in gear switching by engaging and disengaging connecting shafts using magnetism. If used in this fashion, the version which provides for external power would be preferable, and inclusion of the LED feedback lights would be optional.  
     [0083] the size and diameter of the coils could be increased or decreased to provide for the magnetization/demagnetization of larger metallic shafts or more compact operations as appropriate.  
     [0084] the size, shape, and color of the outer casings can all be modified. The material used (i.e. plastic, metal, etc.) in the casing can also be modified.  
     [0085] the hand-powered electric generator is prior art and utilized solely as a source of power. Therefore different types of hand-powered electric generators can be used. In fact, other types of electric generators can be used, not limited to hand-powered versions. Higher voltage generators could be used for instance, which would allow the removal of the voltage doubler ( 12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ). The AC generator could have coils with a higher number of turns in order to achieve higher output, allowing the removal or modification of the voltage doubler, and the addition of a voltage rectifier. Alternatively, a DC generator could be used.  
     [0086] if a higher voltage AC generator or power input is used then all resistor, zener diode, coil, SCR, and IC input line specifications may need to be adjusted proportionally to the increased voltage. In addition, certain resistors may need to be added before certain components.  
     [0087] the type of batteries used can be changed and thus are not limited to 9v batteries. Thus the battery connectors would have to be changed appropriately.  
     [0088] different types of DPDT switches can be used. For example sliding or flip DPDT switches can be used.  
     [0089] the comparison of internal circuit voltages which the IC  90  IC 1  facilitates could be replaced by other combinations of electronic components, including but limited to SCR&#39;s and transistors.  
     [0090] different types and colors of LEDs can be used. The LEDs are used as indicators of various circuit states. This indication process could be facilitated by other means.  
     [0091] my magnetizer/demagnetizer provides independent magnetizing and demagnetizing process universally applicable to many more uses.  
     [0092] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.