Pumping or mixing system using a levitating magnetic element

A system for mixing a fluid, comprising:

• a vessel for holding the fluid;
• a magnetic element positioned in said vessel;
• a superconducting element;
• a housing defining a chamber around said superconducting element for thermally isolating said superconducting element from said vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• and
• a motive device to rotate said magnetic element,
• whereby the superconducting element is positioned adjacent to the vessel for levitating the magnetic element in the vessel and the rotation of the magnetic element creates the mixing action in the fluid.

A method of levitating and rotating and rotating a magnetic element in a vessel for the intended use of pumping or mixing at least a fluid, including a non-cryogenic fluid comprising:

• placing the magnetic element in the vessel;
• levitating the magnetic element in the vessel using a superconducting element positioned in an evacuated or insulated chamber and thermally linked to a cooling source;
• and
• rotating the magnetic element in the vessel.

A method of pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:

• placing a pumping or mixing element in a vessel and sealing the vessel;
• levitating the magnetic element in the vessel using a superconducting element placed in a superconducting state in accordance with a field cooling protocol;
• introducing the fluid into the vessel;
• rotating the magnetic element,
• whereby the active rotation of the levitating, magnetic pumping or mixing element serves to pump or mix the fluid in the vessel when present.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:

• a pumping or mixing structure for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing structure comprising first and second magnets and a support for supporting the magnets in a spaced configuration;
• a superconducting element positioned adjacent to the vessel and the first magnet for levitating the pumping or mixing structure in the vessel;
• a cryostat including a chamber for thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a motive device comprising one or more drive magnets for forming a magnetic coupling with the second magnet and rotating said magnetic pumping or mixing structure,
• whereby the fluid is pumped or mixed by the rotation of the pumping or mixing structure.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:

• a pumping or mixing structure for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing structure comprising a shaft carrying a levitation magnet at one end, at least one pair of alternating polarity driven magnets at the opposite end, and at least one impeller;
• a superconducting element positioned adjacent to the vessel and the levitation magnet for levitating the pumping or mixing structure in the vessel;
• a cryostat for thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element;
• a motive device including a motor for rotating a pair of alternating polarity driving magnets that form a magnetic coupling with the at least one pair of alternating polarity driven magnets,
• whereby the rotation of the driving magnets serves to rotate the pumping or mixing structure via the magnetic coupling with the driven magnets.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:

• a vessel having a first portion and a second portion;
• a pumping or mixing structure for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing structure comprising a levitation magnet structure positioned adjacent to a first portion of the vessel and a driven magnet structure positioned adjacent to the second portion of the vessel;
• a superconducting element positioned adjacent to the vessel and the levitation magnet structure for levitating the pumping or mixing structure;
• a motive device including a motor for rotating one or more driving magnets that form a magnetic coupling with the driven magnet structure of said pumping or mixing structure;
• a cryostat including a wall for supporting the vessel and defining a chamber for thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel and a cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element in the chamber;
• whereby the rotation of the driving magnet serves to rotate the pumping or mixing structure via the magnetic coupling.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:

• a pumping or mixing structure for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing structure comprising a shaft carrying a first magnet at one end, at least one pair of alternating polarity driven magnets at the opposite end, and at least one impeller;
• a superconducting element positioned adjacent to the vessel and the first magnet for levitating the pumping or mixing structure in the vessel;
• a cryostat including a wall defining a chamber for thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel and a cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element in the chamber;
• a motive device including a motor for rotating a pair of alternating polarity driving magnets that form a magnetic coupling with the at least one pair of alternating polarity driven magnets,
• whereby the rotation of the driving magnets serves to rotate the pumping or mixing structure via the magnetic coupling with the driven magnets.

A structure for intended use in pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel in a non-contact fashion using a levitation device external to the vessel for providing a levitating force and a motive device external to the vessel for imparting rotary motion including a driving magnet structure, comprising:

• a levitation magnet structure positioned adjacent to the levitation device;
• a driven magnet structure positioned adjacent to the motive device, said driven magnet structure forming a magnetic coupling with the driving magnet structure;
• a connector for connecting the levitation and driven magnet structures,
• whereby supplying the levitation and rotation of the structure externally avoids the need for shafts penetrating into or through the vessel or corresponding mechanical support bearings or seals.

A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic structure in a vessel for the intended use of pumping or mixing at least a fluid, including a non-cryogenic fluid, comprising:

• placing the magnetic structure in the vessel, said magnetic structure comprising a shaft carrying a levitation magnet at one end, at least one pair of alternating polarity driven magnets at the opposite end, and at least one impeller;
• levitating the magnetic structure in the vessel using a superconducting element positioned in an evacuated or insulated chamber adjacent to the levitation magnet and thermally linked to a separate cooling source;
• and
• rotating the magnetic structure in the vessel by forming a magnetic coupling between a driving magnet structure on the motive device and the alternating polarity driven magnets of the magnetic structure.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:

• a magnetic element for placement in the vessel;
• a superconducting element for levitating said magnetic element;
• a structure defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber being evacuated or insulated to thermally isolate the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a closed-cycle refrigerator thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a motive device for rotating said magnetic element,
• whereby the fluid is pumped or mixed by the rotation of the magnetic element.