Container for storing and transporting a permanent magnet, method and device for replacing a permanent magnet

Abstract

A container for storing and transporting a permanent magnet is provided. The container has an open space for storing the permanent magnet. The space is surrounded by a shell which has a thickness that provides that the permanent magnet does not come close enough to other magnetic material to exert significant force on it. Moreover, a method for replacing a permanent magnet from a first position to a second position is disclosed. The permanent magnet is placed from the first position into an inventive container. The container with the permanent magnet is transported to the second position and the permanent magnet is removed from the container and placed in the second position.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A container for storing and transporting a permanent magnet, comprising:
 an open space for storing the permanent magnet; and   a shell, the space being surrounded by the shell, wherein the shell has a thickness that provides that the permanent magnet does not come close enough to other magnetic material to exert significant force on it.   
     
     
         17 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the shell has a thickness that provides that the magnetic force of the permanent magnet outside of the container is less than a factor of 1/e compared with the magnetic force at the surface of the permanent magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the container or the shell comprise non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         19 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the container and the shell comprise non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         20 . The container as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the container or the shell comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene foam, wood, polyurethane foam, fibreglass, expanded polythene and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The container as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the container and the shell comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene foam, wood, polyurethane foam, fibreglass, expanded polythene and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the shell has a thickness between 50 mm and 200 mm. 
     
     
         23 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the container or the shell has a density between 25 kg/m 3  to 1500 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         24 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the container and the shell have a density between 25 kg/m 3  to 1500 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         25 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 two openings which are located opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         26 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 rips to achieve the required thickness of the shell.   
     
     
         27 . A method for replacing a permanent magnet from a first position to a second position, comprising:
 providing a container having an open space for storing the permanent magnet and a shell, the space being surrounded by the shell, and the shell having a thickness that provides that the permanent magnet does not come close enough to other magnetic material to exert significant force on it;   placing the permanent magnet from the first position into the container;   transporting the container with the permanent magnet to the second position;   removing the permanent magnet from the container; and   placing the permanent magnet in the second position.   
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising:
 providing an opening in the container and a stop of non-magnetic material; and   inserting the stop into the opening before transporting the container to prevent the permanent magnet from sliding out of the container.   
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising:
 attaching firmly a support bracket to the first position or to the second position; and   placing the container on top of the bracket.   
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising:
 attaching firmly a support bracket to the first position and second position; and   placing the container on top of the bracket.   
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising:
 pulling or pushing the permanent magnet from the first position into the container; and   pulling or pushing the permanent magnet from the container in the second position.   
     
     
         32 . A device for replacing a permanent magnet from a first position to a second position, comprising:
 a container having an open space for storing the permanent magnet and a shell, the space being surrounded by the shell, and the shell having a thickness that provides that the permanent magnet does not come close enough to other magnetic material to exert significant force on it;   a support bracket; and   a tool to push and/or pull the permanent magnet out of the container and/or into the container.   
     
     
         33 . The device as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the first position and/or the second position is located in a generator. 
     
     
         34 . The device as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the tool is mounted adjacent to the container. 
     
     
         35 . The device as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the tool is supported directly on the bracket.