Many magnetic devices may be utilized in people's everyday lives for therapy, manufacturing, crafts, and the like. There may be available various magnetic viewing devices that may reveal electromagnetic configurations when positioned near an electromagnetic source. These devices may be limited in that, although they may indicate an electromagnetic field is present, they may not indicate the configuration or polarity of the electromagnetic source.
Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an electromagnetic radiation viewing device with polarization indicator, and a method for using the same.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description also sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
A system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in
System 10 may further include film 14 and film 16, which may enclose encapsulated magnetic material 22 within a fluid 18. Encapsulated magnetic material 22 may be a microencapsulated ferrous-type material, or other magnetic material, such that it will indicate the magnetic flux lines of magnetic material 40 when system 10 is placed near that magnetic material. With this configuration, the magnetic flux lines, as well as the polarization of magnetic material 40 may be determined by placing system 10 adjacent or near magnetic material.
Film 14 may be translucent and be made from a polymer, plastic, or other material, such that encapsulated magnetic material 22 may be viewed. Film 16 may be opaque, and have a dark or lightly colored upper surface that may allow the orientation of encapsulated magnetic material 22 to be viewed, as desired. Fluid 18 may be a silicon based fluid, or other fluid, such that when encapsulated magnetic material 22 is affected by the magnetic flux lines of magnetic material 40, the encapsulated magnetic material 22 may align or orient with the flux lines of magnetic material 40, and there may be spaces in which the fluid 18 or film 16 may be seen such that the magnetic flux lines of magnetic material 40 will be discernable.
This system may be useful for many applications including, but not limited to, magnetic jewelry, magnetic therapeutic devices, and many other applications where magnetic material, magnetic flux lines, and polarization of a magnetic material may be needed to be discerned from other material.
Film 14 and 16, as well as fluid 18 and encapsulated magnetic material 22 may make up an encapsulated ferro-magnetic particle film, herein after called EMPS. If a magnetic field is applied to the EMPS in a direction, which is perpendicular to the surface, the encapsulated magnetic material 22 will align in a direction that is perpendicular to the surface. Because the magnetic material that is encapsulated is very thin, the majority of the light arriving at or incident to the system will pass directly between the encapsulated magnetic material 22 and be absorbed by the opaque film 16. This absorption of light by opaque film 16 and the reflection of light from the encapsulated magnetic material 22, which have not been affected by the magnetic field, will provide the necessary contrasts to enable a user to see the magnetic material and the magnetic lines of flux caused by the material.
In an actual situation, not all of the encapsulated magnetic material 22 may align perfectly, as shown in
The active material in the encapsulated magnetic material 22 preferably contains microscopic nickel platelets or flakes, however, other encapsulated magnetic particles, for example, in the shape of needles rather than flakes and/or composed of other materials such as ferric oxide may be utilized, as desired.
Although the device is shown as circular, or cylindrical, many different shapes and configurations may be utilized, as desired. Although one indicator 30 has been shown, any number of indicators may be utilized such that a larger device may view different magnetic materials at the same time. Furthermore, although indicator 30 is shown as being generally spherical, other shapes and configurations may be utilized, as desired.
Housing 12 may be made of a polymer, polycarbonate or plastics, or combinations thereof, or other materials such that it is translucent on the top and somewhat opaque at the bottom to allow the magnetic material, magnetic lines of flux, and polarization of the magnetic material to be viewed as described above. Furthermore, although housing is shown as a generally cylindrical shape, other configurations may be utilized, as desired.
System 10 may also include a handle or other accessories, as desired. Furthermore, system 10 may include a cover such that the device may not be damaged in transport or when not being used. The system 10 may be 1-2 inches in diameter and may be 0.1-0.5 inches thick, however, other dimensions and configurations may be utilized, as desired.
Housing 12 may also include viewing film 20, which may enable a user to discern magnetic material from non-magnetic material, as well as discern the magnetic flux lines of a magnetic material that is placed adjacent to system 10, or in a position such that the magnetic material and magnetic lines of flux may be discerned.
Viewing film 20 may include a film 14, which may be translucent, a film 16 that may be opaque, and encapsulated magnetic material 22 suspended in a fluid 18, which may be between film 14 and film 16 such that when a magnetic material 40 is placed near or in proximity to system 10 and viewing film 20, the magnetic material may be discerned from the non-magnetic material. Furthermore, the magnetic lines of flux of the magnetic material may be discerned, and utilizing indicator 30, the polarization of the magnetic material may be discerned also.
Fluid 18 may be a silicon oil or fluid, or other fluid that may suspend encapsulated magnetic material 22. Fluid 18 may be approximately 100 csf, however other configurations and materials may be utilized, as desired.
In closing, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.