Correlated Magnetics Research Receives Groundbreaking Patent for Multi-Level Magnetism

Online, June 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Correlated Magnetics Research (CMR) has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a patent for multi-level magnetism - a new category of magnet behavior where the magnetic forces of attract and repel can be present simultaneously. The new patent is the 60th CMR patent to be allowed in a time span of less than 18 months.

CMR's magnet technology provides for the ability to program magnets to meet specific application requirements and functionality instead of relying only on the fixed behavior of conventional magnets. And, multi-level magnetism is one of the many novel and exciting categories of functionality that is enabled.

The multiple levels are each basic magnet capabilities, such as attract or repel, but they are implemented to operate at different ranges, angles and spatial orientations. An example of multi-level magnetism is a behavior that CMR calls HoverField™, where the two opposite magnetic forces are employed to create complex non-linear behavior.

Starting with CMR's patented technology and conventional magnets, HoverField subdivides each magnet surface into two "code regions." One region is magnetized with an "attract code" that operates at long distance, and the other region is magnetized with a "repel code" that operates when the magnets are in close proximity. The result is a multi-force magnetic device. The two coded magnets will attract each other from a distance, accelerate toward each other until the attract force matches the repel force and then stop and hover.

The magnetic structures lock together at a prescribed and stable equilibrium distance. Pull or push the magnets, and they snap back into place. Among other things, HoverField enables contactless attachment, where one object may manipulate another without surface contact. The HoverField approach also produces a near-perfect motion and vibration-damping capability beyond that of mechanical spring-based shock absorbers.

Reversing the HoverField design, CMR has created a behavior referred to as RepelSnap, another multi-force magnetic structure that employs both attract and repel forces. Except in this approach, the repel force is encoded to operate at long distance and the attract code operates in close proximity.

In this case, the two coded magnets repel each other from a distance. If pushed toward each other, the repel force increases and then drops away to zero, at which point the attract region is engaged. The two magnets then snap together and attach. The RepelSnap design enables electrical and safety switches, magnetically assisted release systems, breakaway magnetic springs and even stored mechanical energy devices.

Applications for multi-level magnetism are broad and cross a wide range of product and process categories. These include everything from biomedical applications, orthopedic solutions for knees, spines and other joints, to aerospace applications with motion and vibration damping systems that protect avionics equipment. Multi-level magnetism empowers the development of exciting new toys, consumer electronics, manufacturing processes and more.

"Multi-level magnetism is a whole new category of magnet capabilities enabled by our inventions in magnetism - and such behaviors are inconceivable with conventional magnets," correlated magnetics inventor Larry Fullerton said. "Companies are finding a myriad of uses for behaviors such as contactless attachment, vibration damping and stored mechanical energy. These are only achievable with multi-level magnetism. It's all very exciting."

CMR is a technology-licensing company and is actively working with companies in a variety of industries to bring groundbreaking products to market