Magnetically variable air resistance wheel for exercise devices
US5051638A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1989 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S482/902
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A combination air load and magnetic load device applies load to a rotor of an exercise machine. The rotor includes a fan wheel and an eddy current disc. A non-rotating magnet plate faces the eddy current disc and is spaced from it by an air gap. The non-rotating magnet plate includes a circumferential array of permanent magnets, their polarity orientations alternated. The eddy current load is variable by manual or automated control of the air gap between the eddy current disc and the non-rotating magnet plate. The user can reduce the load by increasing the air gap, or increase the load by decreasing the air gap. The rotating fan wheel generates air movement for cooling of operator and equipment, and a corresponding fan load on the rotor. The rotating eddy current disc induces an eddy current load on the rotor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.