Linear synchronous motor having variable pole pitches

A linear synchronous motor comprising:

• a) a linear stator assembly having a laminated core extending along its length;
• b) a magnet assembly rigidly coupled to a vehicle and operatively associated with, and movable along, the linear stator assembly to establish a gap therebetween, the magnet assembly having at least one permanent magnet arranged in a generally linear array, said at least one magnet being downwardly movable an asymmetry distance in said air gap upon exertion of gravitational forces caused by a weight of the vehicle, said at least one magnet automatically generating a levitation force that is proportional to said asymmetry distance and determined by a vector sum of attractive forces between said at least one magnet and said linear stator assembly to suspend the vehicle.

A linear synchronous motor comprising:

• a. a linear stator assembly having two ferromagnetic cores symmetrical about a plane such that an air gap is formed between said bores that extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to said plane, each of said ferromagnetic cores having windings formed of phase coils, a length of the phase coils and a spacing between centers of adjacent phase coils varying along a longitudinal axis of said stator and providing predetermined changes in the length and speed of magnetic field traveling waves generated in aid air gap by the phase coils of each ferromagnetic core of said stator assembly;
• and
• b. a propulsion magnet assembly rigidly coupled to a vehicle and disposed in said air gap of said stator assembly whereby an attractive force is produced between a magnetic field of said propulsion magnet assembly and said traveling waves of said stator assembly, said magnetic field of said propulsion magnet assembly propelling said vehicle.

A linear synchronous motor comprising:

• a. a linear stator assembly having a first and second plurality of phase coils symmetrical about a plane such that an air gap is formed between said first and second plurality of coils that extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to said plane, and
• b. a propulsion magnet assembly rigidly coupled to a vehicle and disposed in said air gap of said stator assembly whereby an attractive force is produced between a magnetic field of said propulsion magnet assembly and said traveling waves of said stator assembly, said magnetic field of said propulsion magnet assembly propelling said vehicle.