Oceanic LLC’s Mag-Tech is a patent pending replacement for springs in mechanical assemblies. Mag-Tech is useful in products and industries where repetitive use or harsh environments cause springs to become the first point of failure. It is also a method of manipulating magnetic fields to control motion in an assembly.
There are stationary magnets in the base. Additional magnets in the rotating cam are attracted or repelled by the stationary magnets, thus providing a force in the cam. In the closed position, the alternate magnetic fields attract each other thus keeping the cams closed. In the open position, the fields repel each other and encourage the cams to return to the closed position. By utilizing multiple magnetic fields, the force can be strengthened while keeping the magnetic field small. It also keeps a strong "spring force" throughout the full range of motion without any dead spots.
Components such as pawls can be engaged or disengaged by the rotation of a magnetic field. A magnetic control field can either attract or repel magnets located in cams and pawls. By rotating the control field 180° the components can be engaged/disengaged.
A method to actuate parts in an assembly where there is a weak magnetic field which holds parts in primary position, when the assembly moves and the parts come closer to a stronger magnetic field, the part is pulled into a secondary position due to the stronger field. This has an application in a rope clutches. When the handle of the rope clutch is open, the weak magnetic fields hold the cams in their primary position away from the rope, thus reducing friction on the rope and allowing it to move freely in both directions. When the clutch handle is closed, the magnetic field between the two stronger dynamic magnets residing in the cams is greater than the weak fields that were previously holding the cams in their primary positions. Because of this, the cams engage with the rope and stop its motion in one direction.
A: In testing we have found that the force of the magnetic field reduces greatly as the proximity increases. Two cam cleats for example can easily be mounted side by side with no interaction.
A: Yes. Ferrous dirt will be attracted to the magnets. In our experience this is no more than what is attracted to grease and lubes used in mechanical assemblies. With careful part design, however, the drawbacks of this can be eliminated.
A: No. This is the great thing about Mag-Tech, the characteristics of the force they apply will remain constant throughout the lifespan of the product. This sets Mag-Tech apart from traditional springs where the spring constant, dampening, load capacity, etc. will all change over time until eventualy the spring will fail.