Licensing Opportunity: Ferromagnetic Object Retrieval D1742
Published 22 December 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
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Magnetic fishing is a well-known phenomenon, whereby a magnet, quite possibly a very strong magnet, attached to a rope or tether can be plunged into a body of water to retrieve ferromagnetic objects that are present in that body of water.
It is a known problem that often the magnet may attach to large immoveable objects, and as a result of the strength of the magnetic attraction cannot be detached, with the magnet often not being retrievable.
This new apparatus is for retrieving ferromagnetic objects from bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes. The apparatus provides for an improvement over devices already in existence. In one embodiment of the apparatus a magnet is housed within a non-magnetic container and connected to a pulley system. The pulley system permits the magnet to be moved between 2 positions, thereby allowing the magnet to be detached from the object.
Key benefits
The apparatus permits easy detachment of ferromagnetic objects from the magnet, especially when the magnet has attached to large immoveable objects.
The ability to move the magnet between 2 positions, through use of the pulley system, enables the magnet to be distanced or separated from the retrieved object in situ, thereby reducing the strength or magnitude of the magnetic force/attraction between the object and the magnet, so that the object can be detached, or be more easily detached, from the apparatus and magnet.
Applications
Potential applications include:
- magnetic fishing for hobbyists
- retrieval of objects of forensic interest from bodies of water
Intellectual property (IP) status
GB patent application is in order for grant. Patent application number GB1914573.9.
Commercial opportunity
Two key markets potentially exist, the professional and the amateur.
The professional market may include law enforcement retrieving objects such as knives from bodies of water including lakes and ponds, or specialist construction teams.
The amateur market may be individuals participating in magnet fishing as a pastime or hobby, which is the searching in outdoor waters for ferromagnetic objects. The magnets used tend to strong neodymium magnets capable of removing large debris such as discarded bicycles, guns, safes, bombs, coins and car tire rims from bodies of water, but many who engage in the hobby are hoping to find rare and valuable items as well.
How to license this technology
Find out how to access Dstl-owned intellectual property available under the Easy Access IP scheme.
For more information contact dstleasyip@dstl.gov.uk