Clamp assembly including permanent magnets and coils for selectively magnetizing and demagnetizing the magnets

摘要

A clamp assembly comprises a first clamp including a plurality of magnet devices. Each magnet device includes a permanent magnet and a coil surrounding the permanent magnet. The clamp assembly further comprises a controller for pulsing the coils to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the permanent magnets.

主权项

1. A clamp assembly for clamping a stack having a first surface and a second surface, the clamp assembly comprising:
a first clamp including a plurality of magnet devices, each magnet device including a permanent magnet and a coil surrounding the permanent magnet; a controller for pulsing the coils to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the permanent magnets; and a second clamp generally opposite the first clamp that forms an air gap with at least one of the permanent magnets of the first clamp, the second clamp providing a flux path between at least two of the plurality of magnet devices, wherein the first clamp is configured to be positioned against the first surface of the stack; wherein the second clamp is configured to be positioned against the second surface of the stack; and wherein the air gap is configured to receive the stack.