Field configurable magnetic array

Abstract

A magnet apparatus comprising a plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements each being of a different size relative to each other and each having a first side with a first magnetic pole orientation and a second side with a second magnetic pole orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic pole orientation, capable of being assembled concentrically to form a single planar magnet array having a treatment surface and an opposing backer surface, the treatment surface having either an all like magnetic pole orientation or a mixed magnetic pole orientation; and a backer plate having a first side and a second side constructed of ferromagnetic material such that when the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is assembled concentrically on the first side of the backer plate each of the geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements that comprise the single planar magnet array is secured to the first side of the backer plate by magnetic attraction whereby the treatment surface of the single planar magnet array is formed opposite to the backer surface of the single planar magnet array that is magnetically secured to the backer plate.

9 ) A magnet apparatus comprising:
 A plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements each being of a different size relative to each other and each having a treatment side with a first magnetic pole orientation and a back side with a second magnetic pole orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic pole orientation, capable of being assembled concentrically to form a single planar magnet array having a treatment surface and an opposing backer surface, the treatment surface having either an all like magnetic pole orientation or a mixed magnetic pole orientation; and   A backer plate having a first side and a second side constructed of ferromagnetic material such that when the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is assembled on the first side of the backer plate each of the geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements that comprise the single planar magnet array is secured to the first side of the backer plate by magnetic attraction.   
     
     
         10 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes at least one of circles, ellipses, squares, rectangles, stars, hearts and kidneys. 
     
     
         11 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes at least one of ferrite, samarium cobalt, and neodymium iron boron. 
     
     
         12 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the ferromagnetic material includes stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes a plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements wherein at least one of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is constructed to have a different thickness relative to the remaining geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements. 
     
     
         14 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes a plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements wherein at least one of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is constructed to have a different magnetic strength relative to the remaining geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements. 
     
     
         15 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising at least one moat such that the at least one moat is positioned in the single planar magnet array. 
     
     
         16 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one moat comprises at least one of non-magnetic material and an air-gap. 
     
     
         17 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a lateral retention means fastening the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements together. 
     
     
         18 ) A magnet apparatus comprising:
 A plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements each being of a different size relative to each other wherein at least two of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements has a first side with a first magnetic pole orientation and a second side with a second magnetic pole orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic pole orientation, and at least one of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements is constructed of spacer material such that the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements is capable of being assembled concentrically to form a single planar magnet array having a treatment surface and an opposing backer surface, the treatment surface having either an all like magnetic pole orientation or a mixed magnetic pole orientation; and   A backer plate having a first side and a second side constructed from ferromagnetic material such that when the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements is assembled concentrically on the first side of the backer plate each of the geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements that comprise the single planar magnet array is secured to the first side of the backer plate by magnetic attraction whereby the treatment surface of the single planar magnet array is formed opposite to the backer surface of the single planar magnet array that is magnetically secured to the backer plate.   
     
     
         19 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the spacer material includes at least one of a moat, a ferromagnetic element, a non-magnetic element, plastic, wood, ceramic, air-gap and non-ferrous metal such that a non-magnetic zone is created within the single planar magnetic array wherein return flux passes through the magnetic zone. 
     
     
         20 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the at least one of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements having magnetic orientation includes at least one of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements having magnetic orientation that is parallel to the single planar magnet array. 
     
     
         21 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a lateral retention means fastening the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements together. 
     
     
         22 ) A magnet apparatus comprising:
 A plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements each being of a different size relative to each other and each having a treatment side with a first magnetic pole orientation and a back side with a second magnetic pole orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic pole orientation, capable of being assembled concentrically to form a single planar magnet array having a treatment surface, the treatment surface having a mixed magnetic pole orientation wherein the single planar magnet array is self-adherent resulting from magnetic attraction of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements.   
     
     
         23 ) The magnet apparatus of  claim 22  further comprising a backer plate having a first side and a second side constructed of ferromagnetic material such that when the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is assembled on the first side of the backer plate each of the geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements that comprise the single planar magnet array is secured to the first side of the backer plate by magnetic attraction.