Method and system for transportation using a magnetic bearing structure

A method of controlling a source of magnetic flux, the method comprising:

• positioning a first upper portion of a source of magnetic flux and a first lower portion of the source of magnetic flux apart horizontally from a first side of a magnetizable structure, wherein the first portions are of opposite polarities;
• positioning a second upper portion of the source of magnetic flux and a second lower portion of the source of magnetic flux apart horizontally from a second side of the magnetizable structure, wherein the second portions are of opposite polarities, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, and wherein the first and second upper portions are magnetically attracted to an upper portion of the magnetizable structure and the first and second lower portions are magnetically attracted to a lower portion of the magnetizable structure;
• and
• controlling the position of the source of magnetic flux relative to the magnetizable structure.

A system for carrying a load, the system comprising:

• first upper means for generating magnetic flux;
• first lower means for generating magnetic flux, wherein the first upper means and first lower means are spaced apart horizontally from a first side of a magnetizable structure, wherein the first upper means and first lower means are of opposite polarities;
• second upper means for generating magnetic flux;
• second lower means for generating magnetic flux, wherein the second upper means and second lower means are spaced apart horizontally from a second side of the magnetizable structure, wherein the second upper means and second lower means are of opposite polarities, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, and wherein the first and second upper means are magnetically attracted to an upper portion of the magnetizable structure and the first and second lower means are magnetically attracted to a lower portion of the magnetizable structure;
• and
• means for controlling the position of means for generating magnetic flux relative to the magnetizable structure.