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Unread 09-02-2010, 08:07
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Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
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Re: Electromagnetic gate latch?

Dick,
I know this is confusing, I have yet to understand how Inspectors will be able to make a call on this issue. A second question has been answered on the Q&A here...
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=14470
I am not sure I fully understand that one either. I can explain a device we allowed in a previous year. A clutch was formed by two plates held a set distance apart. One contained a material that would generate a magnetic field in the presence of another field. The other plate contained an electromagnet. The two plates rotated independently one driven by a KOP motor and the other attached to a mechanism. With current the two plates rotated in sync as if attached and the motive force of the KOP motor attached to one was transferred to the other.
So in the question above, a simple plate is used to trigger a moving object, it would seem. If the plate doesn't move simply by the presence of the magnetic field, then it is legal. If the plate moves in the presence of the electric field but does no work, it would appear to be legal. If the plate moves and does some work, i.e. pulling a pin, then it is illegal as it is a solenoid as described by the GDC responses. This would seem to be a valid test that can be used. I am sure I will get some reaction off line but we need to come to meeting of the minds so we can train our inspectors.
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Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
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Storming the Tower since 1996.