Load tilting magnetic lift

Apparatus for lifting and rotating an elongate load comprising:

• a plurality of electromagnets;
• a corresponding plurality of yokes arranged in linear array and pivotally supporting respective ones of said electromagnets for rotation about essentially aligned axes, each said yoke being elongate in a direction essentially parallel to the aligned axes of rotation and being supported by tie elements at least three of which are skew with respect to each other in three dimensions, the upper ends of said tie elements being connected to a vertically compliant suspension system;
• a corresponding plurality of stepping motors coupled to the respective electromagnets for precisely, incrementally rotating the electromagnets about the aligned axes, the drive shaft of each said motor being resiliently coupled to a respective lifting element to effect torque sharing;
• means for energizing said motors for synchronous operation;
• a brake for arresting rotation of each said electromagnet;
• and
• means for momentarily and simultaneously disengaging each said brake during an initial lifting stage to permit non-synchronous rotation of the lifting elements to accomodate initial misalignment of the electromagnets with the load, whereby said elongate load may be lifted by said elecromagnets acting together and may be rotated essentially around its longitudinal axis.