Laminated magnetic structure for superconducting bearings
AssigneeAllied-Signal Inc.
InventorThomas K. Rigney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laminated structure for a superconducting bearing includes at least two magnets stacked in opposing polarity with at least one metallic shim being disposed between adjacent magnets. The multiplicity of opposing polarity magnets causes an increase in flux density gradient and, therefore, bearing stiffness. The laminated structure for a superconducting journal bearing has annular permanent magnets that are magnetized and stacked axially. This structure is disposed within a hollow cylinder made of superconducting material. When the cylinder is made of a Type II superconducting material, the superconducting journal bearing provides support in both the radial and axial directions.
Claims21
A laminated structure for superconducting bearings having at least one superconducting member, comprising:
- at least two magnet means stacked in opposing polarity, each said magnet means functioning to generate a magnetic field;
- and
- permeance means, disposed between adjacent magnet means, for separating said adjacent magnet means to increase flux density gradient between said adjacent magnet means.
A superconducting bearing, comprising:
- at least two permanent magnets stacked in opposing polarity, each said permanent magnet providing a magnetic field;
- at least one permeable metallic shim disposed between each pair of adjacent magnets to provide a gap that increases flux density gradient;
- and
- superconducting means having at least one surface in communication with the magnetic field from at least one of said adjacent magnets.
A journal bearing, comprising
- a stator including a hollow cylinder made of Type II superconducting material;
- and
- a rotor including at least two annular permanent magnets that are magnetized axially and stacked axially in opposing polarity, and at least one permeable metallic shim disposed between adjacent magnets to provide a gap that increases flux density gradient, said rotor being disposed within said hollow cylinder such that a longitudinal axis of said rotor is located along a longitudinal axis of said hollow cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.