Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7834729?dq=7222078
Timestamp: 2017-04-28 07:25:30
Document Index: 640495428

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Patent US7834729 - Correlated magnetic connector and method for using the correlated magnetic ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA connector (e.g., electrical connector, fluid connector, gas connector) is described herein that incorporates correlated magnets which enable a first part to be securely attached to and removed from a second part. In addition, a method is described herein for using the connector to attach and remove...http://www.google.com/patents/US7834729?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7834729 - Correlated magnetic connector and method for using the correlated magnetic connectorAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS7834729 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/783,409Publication dateNov 16, 2010Filing dateMay 19, 2010Priority dateMay 20, 2008Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20100225430Publication number12783409, 783409, US 7834729 B2, US 7834729B2, US-B2-7834729, US7834729 B2, US7834729B2InventorsLarry W. Fullerton, Mark D. RobertsOriginal AssigneeCedar Redge Research, LLCExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (50), Non-Patent Citations (7), Referenced by (29), Classifications (19), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCorrelated magnetic connector and method for using the correlated magnetic connector
US 7834729 B2Abstract
A connector (e.g., electrical connector, fluid connector, gas connector) is described herein that incorporates correlated magnets which enable a first part to be securely attached to and removed from a second part. In addition, a method is described herein for using the connector to attach and remove the first part to and from the second part.
1. A correlated magnetic connector, comprising:
a first part including a first magnetic field emission structure; and
a second part including a second magnetic field emission structure, where the first part is attached to the second part when the first and second magnetic field emission structures are located next to one another and have a certain alignment with respect to one another, where each of the first and second magnetic field emission structures include field emission sources having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force to function that corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures within a field domain, said spatial force function being in accordance with a code, said code corresponding to a code modulo of said first plurality of field emission sources and a complementary code modulo of said second plurality of field emission sources, said code defining a peak spatial force corresponding to substantial alignment of said code modulo of said first plurality of field emission sources with said complementary code modulo of said second plurality of field emission sources, said code also defining a plurality of off peak spatial forces corresponding to a plurality of different misalignments of said code modulo of said first plurality of field emission sources and said complementary code modulo of said second plurality of field emission sources, said plurality of off peak spatial forces having a largest off peak spatial force, said largest off peak spatial force being less than half of said peak spatial force.
2. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein the first part is released from the second part when the first magnetic field emission structure is turned with respect to the second magnetic field emission structure.
3. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein:
the first part further includes a first surface contact; and
the second part further includes a second surface contact, where the first surface contact is aligned with and connected to the second surface contact when the first part is attached to the second part.
4. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 3, wherein the first and second surface contacts are flush electrical contacts.
5. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein:
the first part further includes a first opening; and
the second part further includes a second opening, where the first opening is aligned with and connected to the second opening when the first part is attached to the second part.
6. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein:
the first part further includes a tab protruding up therefrom; and
the second part further includes a channel formed therein, wherein when the first part is adjacent to the second then the tab would be located within the channel, wherein the tab and the channel form an alignment mechanism.
7. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, further comprising:
a support unit including a face plate with a first surface having at least one guide pin protruding therefrom where the first part is slidably attached to the at least one guide pin to freely move away from or towards the first surface, where the face plate has a second surface configured to interface with the second part such that when the second part is adjacent to the second surface and the first magnetic field emission structure has the certain alignment with the second magnetic field emission structure then the first part is adjacent to the first surface.
8. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 7, wherein the face plate has at least one opening therein through which at least one electrical contact from the second part passes to interface with at least one electrical contact on the first part when the second part is adjacent to the second surface and the first part is adjacent to the first surface.
9. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 8, wherein the first surface and the first part each have at least one repelling field emission structure located thereon which cause the first part to be pushed away from the first surface except when the second part is adjacent to the second surface and the first magnetic field emission structure has the certain alignment with the second magnetic field emission structure.
10. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein said positions and said polarities of each of said field emission sources are determined in accordance with at least one correlation function.
11. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 10, wherein said at least one correlation function is in accordance with at least one code.
12. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 11, wherein said at least one code is at least one of a pseudorandom code, a deterministic code, or a designed code.
13. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 11, wherein said at least one code is one of a one dimensional code, a two dimensional code, a three dimensional code, or a four dimensional code.
14. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein each of said field emission sources has a corresponding field emission amplitude and vector direction determined in accordance with the desired spatial force function, wherein a separation distance between the first and second magnetic field emission structures and the relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures creates a spatial force in accordance with the desired spatial force function.
15. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 14, wherein said spatial force include at least one of an attractive spatial force or a repellant spatial force.
16. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 14, wherein said spatial force corresponds to a peak spatial force of said desired spatial force function when said first and second magnetic field emission structures are substantially aligned such that each field emission source of said first magnetic field emission structure substantially aligns with a corresponding field emission source of said second magnetic field emission structure.
17. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein said field domain corresponds to first magnetic field emissions from said field emission sources of said first magnetic field emission structure interacting with second magnetic field emissions from said second magnetic field emission sources of said second magnetic field emission structure.
18. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein said polarities of the field emission sources include at least one of North-South polarities or positive-negative polarities.
19. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein at least one of said field emission sources includes a magnetic field emission source or an electric field emission source.
20. The correlated magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein at least one of said field emission sources include a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, an electret, a magnetized ferromagnetic material, a portion of a magnetized ferromagnetic material, a soft magnetic material, or a superconductive magnetic material.
21. A method for using a correlated magnetic connector which has a first part and a second part, the method comprising the steps of:
moving the first part which has a first magnetic field emission structure towards the second part which has a second magnetic field emission structure; and
turning the first part relative to the second part to align the first and second magnetic field emission structures so the first part attaches to the second part when the first and second magnetic field emission structures are located next to one another and have a certain alignment with respect to one another, where each of the first and second magnetic field emission structures include field emission sources having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures within a field domain, said spatial force function being in accordance with a code, said code corresponding to a code modulo of said first plurality of field emission sources and a complementary code modulo of said second plurality of field emission sources, said code defining a peak spatial force corresponding to substantial alignment of said code modulo of said first plurality of field emission sources with said complementary code modulo of said second plurality of field emission sources, said code also defining a plurality of off peak spatial forces corresponding to a plurality of different misalignments of said code modulo of said first plurality of field emission sources and said complementary code modulo of said second plurality of field emission sources, said plurality of off peak spatial forces having a largest off peak spatial force, said largest off peak spatial force being less than half of said peak spatial force.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising a step of turning the first part relative to the second part to remove the first part from the second part.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the correlated magnetic connector is a correlated magnetic electrical connector, a correlated magnetic fluid connector, or a correlated magnetic gas connector.
The present invention is related to a correlated magnetic connector that incorporates correlated magnets which enable a first end to be securely attached to and removed from a second end. In addition, the present invention is related to a method for using the correlated magnetic connector to attach and remove the first end to and from the second end.
Manufacturers of connectors (e.g., electrical connectors, fluid connectors, gas connectors) are constantly trying to enhance their connectors so users can more easily and more effectively connect and disconnect two ends. One such advancement in connector technology is the subject of the present invention.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a correlated magnetic connector which has a first end including a first magnetic field emission structure and a second end including a second magnetic field emission structure. The first end is attached to the second end when the first and second magnetic field emission structures are located next to one another and have a certain alignment with respect to one another. The first and second magnetic field emission structures each include field emission sources having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures within a field domain. The spatial force function being in accordance with a code, where the code corresponding to a code modulo of the first field emission sources and a complementary code modulo of the second field emission sources. The code defining a peak spatial force corresponding to substantial alignment of the code modulo of the first field emission sources with the complementary code modulo of the second field emission sources. The code also defining a plurality of off peak spatial forces corresponding to a plurality of different misalignments of the code modulo of the first field emission sources and the complementary code modulo of the second field emission sources. The plurality of off peak spatial forces having a largest off peak spatial force, where the largest off peak spatial force being less than half of the peak spatial force. The first end can be released from the second end when the first magnetic field emission structure and the second magnetic field emission structure are turned (misaligned) with respect to one another.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for using a correlated magnetic connector which has a first end and a second end. The method includes the steps of (a) moving the first end which has a first magnetic field emission structure towards the second end which has a second magnetic field emission structure; and (b) turning the first end relative to the second end to align the first and second magnetic field emission structures so the first end attaches to the second end when the first and second magnetic field emission structures are located next to one another and have a certain alignment with respect to one another. The first and second magnetic field emission structures each include field emission sources having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures within a field domain. The spatial force function being in accordance with a code, where the code corresponding to a code modulo of the first field emission sources and a complementary code modulo of the second field emission sources. The code defining a peak spatial force corresponding to substantial alignment of the code modulo of the first field emission sources with the complementary code modulo of the second field emission sources. The code also defining a plurality of off peak spatial forces corresponding to a plurality of different misalignments of the code modulo of the first field emission sources and the complementary code modulo of the second field emission sources. The plurality of off peak spatial forces having a largest off peak spatial force, where the largest off peak spatial force being less than half of the peak spatial force. The first end can be released from the second end when the first magnetic field emission structure and the second magnetic field emission structure are turned (misaligned) with respect to one another.
FIGS. 10A-10D are several diagrams of an exemplary correlated magnetic connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 11A-11I are several diagrams that illustrate a portion of the correlated magnetic connector shown in FIGS. 10A-10D which are used to show how an exemplary first magnetic field emission structure (associated with a first end) and its mirror image second magnetic field emission structure (associated with a second end) can be aligned relative to each other to enable a person to secure the first end to the second end plus how the first magnetic field emission structure and second magnetic field emission structure can be misaligned relative to each other to enable a person to remove the first end from the second end;
FIGS. 12A-12B are several diagrams of the correlated magnetic connector shown in FIGS. 10A-10D having an alignment mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGS. 13A-13D are several diagrams of an exemplary correlated magnetic connector in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention includes a connector (e.g., electrical connector, fluid connector, gas connector) that incorporates correlated magnets which enable a first end to be securely attached to and removed from a second end. The connector of the present invention is made possible, in part, by the use of an emerging, revolutionary technology that is called correlated magnetics. This revolutionary technology referred to herein as correlated magnetics was first fully described and enabled in the co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/123,718 filed on May 20, 2008 and entitled “A Field Emission System and Method”. The contents of this document are hereby incorporated herein by reference. A second generation of a correlated magnetic technology is described and enabled in the co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/358,423 filed on Jan. 23, 2009 and entitled “A Field Emission System and Method”. The contents of this document are hereby incorporated herein by reference. A third generation of a correlated magnetic technology is described and enabled in the co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/476,952 filed on Jun. 2, 2009 and entitled “A Field Emission System and Method”. The contents of this document are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Another technology known as correlated inductance, which is related to correlated magnetics, has been described and enabled in the co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,561 filed on Feb. 4, 2009 and entitled “A System and Method for Producing an Electric Pulse”. The contents of this document are hereby incorporated by reference. A brief discussion about correlated magnetics is provided first before a detailed discussion is provided about the correlated magnetic connector and method of the present invention.
Correlated Magnetic Connectors
Referring to FIGS. 10A-10D, there are diagrams of an exemplary correlated magnetic connector 1000 that includes a first part 1002 which can be attached to and released from a second part 1004 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The first part 1002 has a first back surface 1006 that has connected thereto a first electrical cable 1008 (or tube 1008) and a first front surface 1010 that has a first field emission structure 1012 which is located around a first electrical contact area 1014 (or opening 1014) (see FIGS. 10A-10C). The first electrical cable 1008 (or tube 1008) is connected to the first electrical contact area 1014 (or opening 1014). Likewise, the second part 1004 has a second back surface 1016 that has connected thereto a second electrical cable 1018 (or tube 1018) and a second front surface 1020 that has a second magnetic field emission structure 1022 which is located around a second electrical contact area 1024 (or opening 1024) (see FIGS. 10A-10B and 10D). The second electrical cable 1018 (or tube 1018) is connected to the second electrical contact area 1024 (or opening 1024). In this example, the first field emission structure 1012 is depicted as being flush with the first front surface 1010. If desired the first field emission structure 1012 could be recessed within the first front surface 1010 such that it is not visible. Alternatively, the first field emission structure 1012 could extend out from the first front surface 1010. Likewise, the second magnetic field emission structure 1022 is depicted as being flush with the second front surface 1020. If desired the second magnetic field emission structure 1022 could be recessed within the second front surface 1020 such that it is not visible. Alternatively, the second magnetic field emission structure 1022 could extend out from the second front surface 1020.
As shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 is configured to interact (correlate) with the second magnetic field emission structure 1022 such that the first part 1002 can, when desired, be substantially aligned to become attached (secured) to the second part 1004 or misaligned to become removed (detached) from the second part 1004. In particular, the first part 1002 can be attached to the second part 1004 when their respective first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 are located next to one another and have a certain alignment with respect to one another (see FIG. 10A). In this case, the first part 1002 is attached (aligned) to the second part 1004 such that the first electrical contact area 1014 (or opening 1014) is connected to the second electrical contact area 1024 (or opening 1024). Under one arrangement, the first part 1002 is attached to the second part 1004 with a desired strength to prevent the first part 1002 from being inadvertently disengaged from the second part 1004. The first part 1002 can be released from the second part 1004 when their respective first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 are turned (misaligned) with respect to one another (see FIG. 10B). In this case, the first part 1002 would no longer be attached to the second part 1004 such that the first electrical contact area 1014 (or opening 1014) would no longer be connected to the second electrical contact area 1024 (or opening 1024). This is all possible because the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 each comprise an array of field emission sources 1012 a and 1022 a (e.g., an array of magnets 1012 a and 1022 a) each having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 within a field domain (see discussion about correlated magnet technology). An example of how the first part 1002 can be attached (secured) to or removed from the second part 1004 is discussed in detail below with respect to FIGS. 11A-11I.
Referring to FIGS. 11A-11I, there is depicted an exemplary first magnetic field emission structure 1012 (attached to the first part 1002) and its mirror image second magnetic field emission structure 1022 (attached to the second part 1004) and the resulting spatial forces produced in accordance with their various alignments as they are twisted relative to each other which enables the user to secure or remove the first part 1002 to or from the second part 1004. In FIG. 11A, the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 and the mirror image second magnetic field emission structure 1022 are aligned producing a peak spatial force. In FIG. 11B, the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 is rotated clockwise slightly relative to the mirror image second magnetic field emission structure 1022 and the attractive force reduces significantly. To accomplish this, the user would normally grab and turn the first part 1002 (or second part 1004) relative to the second part 1004 (or first part 1002) to rotate the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 relative to the mirror image second magnetic field emission structure 1022. In FIG. 11C, the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 is further rotated and the attractive force continues to decrease. In FIG. 11D, the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 is still further rotated until the attractive force becomes very small, such that the two magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 are easily separated as shown in FIG. 11E. Given the two magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 held somewhat apart as in FIG. 11E, the two magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 can be moved closer and rotated towards alignment producing a small spatial force as in FIG. 11F. The spatial force increases as the two magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 become more and more aligned in FIGS. 11G and 11H and a peak spatial force is achieved when aligned as in FIG. 11I. In this example, the second magnetic field emission structure 1022 is the mirror of the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 resulting in an attractive peak spatial force (see also FIGS. 3-4). In this example, the direction of rotation was arbitrarily chosen and may be varied depending on the code employed. Plus, it should be noted that the first part 1002 and the second part 1004 can be detached by applying a pull force, shear force, or any other force sufficient to overcome the attractive peak spatial force between the substantially aligned first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022.
In this example, the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 is shown as three concentric circles of magnets 1012 a which are located around the first electrical contact area 1014 (or opening 1014). And, the second magnetic field emission structure 1022 is shown as three concentric circles of magnets 1022 a which are located around the second electrical contact area 1024 (or opening 1024). The first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 which are depicted in FIGS. 10-11 and in other drawings associated with other exemplary correlated magnetic connectors are themselves exemplary. Generally, the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 could have many different configurations and could be many different types including for example permanent magnets, electromagnets, and/or electro-permanent magnets where their size, shape, source strengths, coding, and other characteristics can be tailored to meet different correlated magnetic connector requirements.
In operation, the user could pick-up the first part 1002 which incorporates the first magnetic field emission structure 1012. The user would then move the first part 1002 towards the second part 1004 which incorporates the second magnetic field emission structure 1022. Then, the user would align the first part 1002 with the second part 1004 such that the first part 1002 can be attached to the second part 1004 when the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 are located next to one another and have a certain alignment with respect to one another where they correlate with each other to produce a peak attractive force (see FIGS. 11A and 11I). If the first part 1002 is attached to the second part 1004 then the first electrical contact area 1014 (or opening 1014) is connected to the second electrical contact area 1024 (or opening 1024). The user can release the first part 1002 from the second part 1004 by turning the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 relative to the second magnetic field emission structure 1022 so as to misalign the two field emission structures 1012 and 1022 (see FIGS. 11B-11E). If the first part 1002 is not attached to the second part 1004 then the first electrical contact area 1014 (or opening 1014) is not connected to the second electrical contact area 1024 (or opening 1024).
This process for attaching and detaching the first and second parts 1002 and 1004 is possible because each of the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 includes an array of field emission sources 1012 a and 1022 a each having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 within a field domain. The field domain corresponds to first field emissions from the array of first field emission sources 1012 a of the first magnetic field emission structure 1012 interacting with second magnetic field emissions from the array of second magnetic field emission sources 1022 a of the second magnetic field emission structure 1022. Each field emission source 1012 a and 1022 a has a corresponding field emission amplitude and vector direction determined in accordance with the desired spatial force function, where a separation distance between the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 and the relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1012 and 1022 creates a spatial force in accordance with the desired spatial force function. In one embodiment, the spatial force function being in accordance with a code, where the code corresponding to a code modulo of the first magnetic field emission sources 1012 a and a complementary code modulo of the second magnetic field emission sources 1022 a. The code defining a peak spatial force corresponding to substantial alignment of the code modulo of the first magnetic field emission sources 1012 a with the complementary code modulo of the second magnetic field emission sources 1022 a. The code also defining a plurality of off peak spatial forces corresponding to a plurality of different misalignments of the code modulo of the first magnetic field emission sources 1012 a and the complementary code modulo of the second magnetic field emission sources 1022 a. The plurality of off peak spatial forces having a largest off peak spatial force, where the largest off peak spatial force being less than half of the peak spatial force.
The two ends 1002 and 1004 described above can be electrical connectors, gas connectors, fluid connectors etc. For instance, if the two ends 1002 and 1004 form an electrical connector 1000 then such a connector can be used in a wide-variety of applications including (for example): an antenna connector; a battery connector; a coax connector; a fiber optic connector; a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector; a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector; and a power connector. These electrical connectors can be hermetically sealed. In addition, these electrical connectors can be self-cleaning due to the turning of the two ends 1002 and 1004 when connecting and disconnecting the two ends 1002 and 1004. If the two ends 1002 and 1004 form a gas connector 1000 then such a connector can be used in a wide-variety of applications including (for example): a natural gas connector; an oxygen connector; a nitrogen connector; and an air connector. If the two ends 1002 and 1004 form a fluid connector 1000 then such a connector can be used in a wide-variety of applications including (for example): pipes; tubing; conduit; and hydraulic connectors. Generally, the two ends 1002 and 1004 can have any type of configuration to create a wide-variety of connectors 1000 which have different sizes, shapes and functions.
Referring to FIGS. 12A-12B, there are several diagrams of the exemplary correlated magnetic connector 1000 which has an alignment mechanism 1202 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the alignment mechanism 1202 includes a tab 1204 which extends outward from the second front surface 1020 of the second part 1004 and a channel 1206 formed within and extending through the first back surface 1006 and the first front surface 1010 of the first part 1002. In operation, the user can place the first part 1002 next to the second part 1004 such that the tab 1204 is located near one end 1208 (e.g., labeled “release”) within the channel 1206 and then rotates either the first part 1002 or the second part 1004 such that the tab 1204 is located near another end 1210 (e.g., labeled “attach”) to secure the two ends 1002 and 1004. For example, when the user rotates either the first part 1002 or the second part 10004 relative to one another and the tab 1204 is stopped by end 1208 of the channel 1206 then the first part 1002 can be separated from the second part 1004. And, when the user rotates either the first part 1002 or the second part 1004 relative to one another and the tab 1204 is stopped by another end 1210 of the channel 1206 then the first part 1002 is secured to the second part 1004. It should be appreciated that the alignment mechanism 1202 can have many different configurations instead of the tab 1204 and channel 1206 such as, for example, markings-notches on the first part 1002 and second part 1004 that indicate “release” and “attach”. The alignment mechanism 1202 may be particularly useful when the first part 1002 and the second part 1004 have electrical cables 1008 and 1018 with conductors that should not be crossed or shorted during the rotation of the first part 1002 and the second part 1004 but should be aligned only when the first part 1002 is secured to the second part 1004.
Referring to FIGS. 13A-13D, there are several diagrams of the exemplary correlated magnetic connector 1300 that includes a first part 1302 which can be attached to and released from a second part 1304 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The first part 1302 has a first back surface 1306 that has connected thereto a first electrical cable 1308 and a first front surface 1310 that has a first field emission structure 1312 which is located around a first electrical contact area 1314 which has flush therewith one or more first electrical contacts 1309 (two shown) (see FIGS. 13A-13C). The first electrical cable 1308 has one or more conductors 1307 (two shown) located therein that are respectively connected to the first electrical contact(s) 1309. The second part 1304 has a second back surface 1316 that has connected thereto a second electrical cable 1318 and a second front surface 1320 that has a second magnetic field emission structure 1322 which is located around a second electrical contact extension 1324 which has flush therewith one or more second electrical contacts 1311 (two shown) (see FIGS. 13A-13B and 13D). The second electrical cable 1318 has one or more conductors 1313 (two shown) located therein that are respectively connected to the second electrical contact(s) 1311. Plus, the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1312 and 1322 each comprise an array of field emission sources 1312 a and 1322 a (e.g., an array of magnets 1312 a and 1322 a) each having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second magnetic field emission structures 1312 and 1322 within a field domain (see discussions related to correlated magnetic connector 1000 and correlated magnet technology).
The correlated magnetic connector 1300 also includes a support unit 1326 that has a face plate 1328 with a first surface 1330 having one or more guide pins 1332 (two shown) protruding therefrom where the first part 1302 is slidably attached to the guide pins 1332 in a manner to freely move away from or towards the first surface 1330. The face plate 1328 also has a second surface 1334 (opposite the first surface 1330) configured to interface with the second part 1304 such that when the second part 1304 is adjacent to and contacting the second surface 1334 and the first magnetic field emission structure 1312 has the certain alignment with the second magnetic field emission structure 1322 then the first part 1304 is pulled toward so at to contact the first surface 1330.
In this example, the face plate 1328 has one opening 1336 through which passes the second electrical contact extension 1324 so that the second electrical contacts 1311 (flush with the second electrical contact area 1324) interface with the first electrical contacts 1309 (flush with the first electrical contact area 1314) on the first part 1302 when the first part 1302 is adjacent (contacting) to the first surface 1330 and the second part 1304 is properly aligned and adjacent (contacting) to the second surface 1334 (see FIG. 13B). One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many ways one could design the second electrical contract extension 1324 and the second electrical contacts 1311 so they can interface with the first electrical contacts 1309 on the first part 1302. If desired, the second surface 1334 and the second part 1304 each can have markings thereon to indicate the proper orientation so the second part 1304 can be easily aligned with the first part 1302. Plus, the first part 1302 and the first surface 1330 can each have one or more repealing field emission structures 1340 located thereon which cause the first part 1302 to be located away from the first surface 1330 except when the second part 1304 is adjacent to the second surface 1334 and the first magnetic field emission structure 1312 has a certain alignment with the second magnetic field emission structure 1322. As can be seen, the correlated magnetic connector 1300 forms a safe and effective electrical connector where if the first part 1304 has electrical contacts 1309 with live power then those electrical contacts 1309 will not be accessible until the second part 1304 is placed on the face plate 1328 in the appropriated orientation so as to move the first part 1302 towards the second part 1304 to make an electrical connection.
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DATES FROM 20100418 TO 20100420;REEL/FRAME:024410/0975Mar 8, 2011CCCertificate of correctionMar 31, 2014ASAssignmentOwner name: CORRELATED MAGNETICS RESEARCH LLC, ALABAMAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CEDAR RIDGE RESEARCH LLC;REEL/FRAME:032560/0361Effective date: 20110629Apr 30, 2014FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services