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US 11,114,956 B2Granted
Magnetic levitator
AssigneeSingapore University of Technology and Design
InventorsBradley Camburn, Kristin Wood, Zach Huang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a magnetic levitator. The magnetic levitator comprises a first portion having a first arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the first arrangement has first and second circumferences. The magnetic levitator also comprises a second portion having a second arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the second arrangement has a third circumference. The first and second arrangements are rotationally symmetrical, and the first circumference is larger than the third circumference. In use, one of the portions is magnetically levitated by the other one of the portions, and the second circumference is arranged substantially aligned to the third circumference.
Claims18
A magnetic levitator comprising:
- a first portion having a first arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the first arrangement has first and second circumferences;
- and
- a second portion having a second arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the second arrangement has a third circumference,
- wherein the first and second arrangements are rotationally symmetrical, and the first circumference is larger than the third circumference, and
- wherein in use, one of the portions is magnetically levitated by the other one of the portions, and the second circumference is arranged substantially aligned to the third circumference,
- wherein the first circumference is an outer circumference of the first arrangement, and the second circumference is an inner circumference of the first arrangement,
- wherein the third circumference is an outer circumference of the second arrangement,
- wherein the second circumference is substantially equal to the third circumference,
- wherein the plurality of permanent magnets of the first arrangement are tilted towards a center of the first portion as viewed from the second portion,
- wherein the plurality of permanent magnets of the second arrangement are tilted towards a center of the second portion as viewed from the first portion,
- wherein magnetic fields of the first and second arrangements are perpendicular to each other, thereby locking the second portion at a neutral position at a set distance from the first portion such that when the second portion is urged towards the first portion, a repulsive force between the first arrangement and the second arrangement restores the second portion to the neutral position, and when the second portion is urged away from the first portion, an attractive force between the first arrangement and the second arrangement restores the second portion to the neutral position,
- wherein location of the neutral position is changeable by varying angle of tilt of the plurality of permanent magnets of the first arrangement and varying angle of tilt of the plurality of permanent magnets of the second arrangement, and
- wherein magnitude of the attractive force and magnitude of the repulsive force are changeable by varying the first circumference and varying the second circumference.
10 more elements
A device comprising:
- a first portion having a first arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the first arrangement has first and second circumferences;
- a second portion having a second arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the second arrangement has a third circumference;
- a third portion removably coupled to the second portion;
- and
- a supporting device configured to coaxially and movably couple the first, second and third portions,
- wherein the first and second arrangements are rotationally symmetrical, and the first circumference is larger than the third circumference, and
- wherein in use, the third portion is magnetically levitated via the second portion by the first portion, and the second circumference is arranged substantially aligned to the third circumference,
- wherein the first circumference is an outer circumference of the first arrangement, and the second circumference is an inner circumference of the first arrangement,
- wherein the third circumference is an outer circumference of the second arrangement,
- wherein the second circumference is substantially equal to the third circumference,
- wherein the plurality of permanent magnets of the first arrangement are tilted towards a center of the first portion as viewed from the second portion,
- wherein the plurality of permanent magnets of the second arrangement are tilted towards a center of the second portion as viewed from the first portion,
- wherein magnetic fields of the first and second arrangements are perpendicular to each other, thereby locking the second portion at a neutral position at a set distance from the first portion such that when the second portion is urged towards the first portion, a repulsive force between the first arrangement and the second arrangement restores the second portion to the neutral position, and when the second portion is urged away from the first portion, an attractive force between the first arrangement and the second arrangement restores the second portion to the neutral position,
- wherein location of the neutral position is changeable by varying angle of tilt of the plurality of permanent magnets of the first arrangement and varying angle of tilt of the plurality of permanent magnets of the second arrangement, and
- wherein magnitude of the attractive force and magnitude of the repulsive force are changeable by varying the first circumference and varying the second circumference.
12 more elements
A device comprising:
- a first portion having a first arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the first arrangement has first and second circumferences;
- a second portion having a second arrangement of a plurality of permanent magnets, and the second arrangement has a third circumference;
- a third portion removably coupled to the first portion;
- and
- a supporting device configured to coaxially and movably couple the first, second and third portions,
- wherein the first and second arrangements are rotationally symmetrical, and the first circumference is larger than the third circumference, and
- wherein in use, the third portion is magnetically levitated via the first portion by the second portion, and the second circumference is arranged substantially aligned to the third circumference,
- wherein the first circumference is an outer circumference of the first arrangement, and the second circumference is an inner circumference of the first arrangement,
- wherein the third circumference is an outer circumference of the second arrangement,
- wherein the second circumference is substantially equal to the third circumference,
- wherein the plurality of permanent magnets of the first arrangement are tilted towards a center of the first portion as viewed from the second portion,
- wherein the plurality of permanent magnets of the second arrangement are tilted towards a center of the second portion as viewed from the first portion,
- wherein magnetic fields of the first and second arrangements are perpendicular to each other, thereby locking the second portion at a neutral position at a set distance from the first portion such that when the second portion is urged towards the first portion, a repulsive force between the first arrangement and the second arrangement restores the second portion to the neutral position, and when the second portion is urged away from the first portion, an attractive force between the first arrangement and the second arrangement restores the second portion to the neutral position,
- wherein location of the neutral position is changeable by varying angle of tilt of the plurality of permanent magnets of the first arrangement and varying angle of tilt of the plurality of permanent magnets of the second arrangement, and
- wherein magnitude of the attractive force and magnitude of the repulsive force are changeable by varying the first circumference and varying the second circumference.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.