Claims
- 1. A magnetic docking apparatus, comprising:
a support member having an electromagnet attached thereto, the support member including a fastener for attaching the magnetic docking apparatus to a vessel, wherein the support member and the fastener are cooperatively operable to position the electromagnet external to the vessel, and when the vessel is positioned proximate a docking point that includes a ferrous object, the magnetic docking apparatus is operable to:
energize the electromagnet to create a magnetic attraction between the electromagnet and the ferrous object, wherein the magnetic attraction causes the vessel to be held at the docking point; and de-energize the electromagnet to release the vessel from the docking point.
- 2. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is adjustably operable so that the position of the electromagnet with respect to the fastener is adjustable.
- 3. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic is substantially round and is rotatably connected to the support member.
- 4. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet is coated with a rubber coating.
- 5. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is shaped with a bow that peaks above the fastener.
- 6. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second support member, wherein the first and second support members are pivotally connected at a pivot point and biased in a set position by a dampener, wherein the dampener allows resisted movement of the first and second support members about the pivot point.
- 7. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a second electromagnet attached to the second support member.
- 8. A method for magnetically docking a vessel to another object, comprises:
attaching a magnetic docking apparatus to a vessel, wherein the magnetic docking apparatus includes a support member having an electromagnet attached thereto; positioning the vessel proximate a docking point that includes a ferrous object; energizing the electromagnet to create a magnetic attraction between the electromagnet and the ferrous object, wherein the magnetic attraction causes the vessel to be held at the docking point; and de-energizing the electromagnet to release the vessel from the docking point.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the ferrous object is pivotally attached to the docking point and includes at least one dampener, and the at least one dampener is operable to absorb energy transferred to the ferrous object by the vessel.
- 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the support member includes a fastener and attaching the magnetic docking apparatus to the vessel comprises, adjustably attaching the magnetic docking apparatus to the vessel so that the position of the electromagnet with respect to the fastener is adjustable.
- 11. The method of claim 8, wherein positioning the vessel proximate a docking point that includes a ferrous object comprises positioning the vessel proximate a second vessel.
- 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the ferrous object is attached to the second vessel and energizing the electromagnet to create a magnetic attraction between the electromagnet and the ferrous object comprises energizing the electromagnet to dock the vessel with the second vessel.
- 13. A system for magnetically docking a vessel at a docking point, comprising:
a ferrous object; and a magnetic docking apparatus, comprising:
a support member having an electromagnet attached thereto, the support member including a fastener for attaching the magnetic docking apparatus to the vessel, wherein the support member and the fastener are cooperatively operable to position the electromagnet external to the vessel, and when the vessel is positioned proximate the docking point that includes the ferrous object, the magnetic docking apparatus is operable to:
energizing the electromagnet to create a magnetic attraction between the electromagnet and the ferrous object, wherein the magnetic attraction causes the vessel to be held at the docking point; and de-energizing the electromagnet to release the vessel from the docking point.
- 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the ferrous object is an iron plate.
- 15. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support member is adjustably operable so that the position of the electromagnet with respect to the fastener is adjustable.
- 16. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic is substantially round and is rotatably connected to the support member.
- 17. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electromagnet is coated with a rubber coating.
- 18. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support member is shaped with a bow that peaks above the fastener.
- 19. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a second support member, wherein the first and second support members are pivotally connected at a pivot point and biased in a set position by a dampener, wherein the dampener allows resisted movement of the first and second support members about the pivot point.
- 20. The magnetic docking apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a second electromagnet attached to the second support member.
REFERENCE TO EARLIER FILED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/407,873, filed Aug. 30, 2002.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60407873 |
Aug 2002 |
US |