Levitation device and method

A magnetic levitation device comprising:

• only one first magnet having a first axis and a planar first surface, said first magnet being magnetized normal to said first surface and parallel to said first axis such that said first surface has a magnetic field with a first polar orientation, said magnetic field being weakened in a region of the first surface;
• only one second magnet having a second axis and a second surface, said second magnet being magnetized normal to said second surface and parallel to said second axis such that said second surface has a magnetic field with the same polar orientation as the magnetic field of the first surface of the first magnet;
• means for transmitting rotation to said second magnet about the second axis whereby when said second magnet is rotated and disposed vertically above said first magnet with the first and second surfaces in confronting relation, said second magnet levitates over said first magnet free of any mechanical or nonmagnetic connection, restraint or support or any magnetic restraint or support other than the magnetic forces provided by said first and second magnets, said rotation transmitting means comprising a spindle affixed to said second magnet for manually rotating said second magnet about the second axis;
• and
• means for varying the weight of said second magnet to change the height above said first magnet at which said second magnet levitates, said weight varying means comprising at least one washer having a central opening adapted to fit over said spindle.

A magnetic levitation device comprising:

• a first magnet having a first axis and a planar first surface, said first magnet being magnetized normal to said first surface and parallel to said first axis such that said first surface has a magnetic field with a first polar orientation, said magnetic field being weakened in a region of the first surface;
• a second magnet having a second axis and a second surface, said second magnet being magnetized normal to said second surface and parallel to said second axis such that said second surface has a magnetic field with the same polar orientation as the magnetic field of the first surface of the first magnet;
• means for transmitting rotation to said second magnet about the second axis whereby when said second magnet is rotated and disposed vertically above said first magnet with the first and second surfaces in confronting relation, said second magnet levitates over said first magnet free of any mechanical or nonmagnetic connection, restraint or support or any magnetic restraint or support other than the magnetic forces provided by said first and second magnets;
• and
• adjusting means comprising shims positionable beneath the first magnet for adjusting the position of the plane of the planar first surface of the first magnet.

A method of levitating a device comprising the steps of:

• supporting on a horizontal surface a first magnet having a first axis and a planar upper surface, said first magnet being magnetized normal to said planar upper surface and parallel to said first axis such that said planar upper surface has a magnetic field with a polar orientation;
• locating an initial position of the planar upper surface of the first magnet relative to a horizontal plane;
• placing a non-magnetic lifter plate over the planar upper surface of the first magnet;
• placing a second magnet having a second axis and a lower surface on said lifter plate, said second magnet being magnetized normal to said lower surface and parallel to said second axis such that said lower surface has a magnetic field with the same polar orientation as the magnetic field of the planar upper surface of the first magnet;
• substantially aligning the second axis of the second magnet with the first axis of the first magnet;
• spinning the second magnet about the second axis while the second magnet is on the lifter plate;
• raising the lifter plate vertically upwardly from the first magnet until said spinning second magnet levitates above the lifter plate and the planar upper surface of the first magnet;
• observing a direction of drift of the second magnet from its levitating position above the first magnet;
• and
• adjusting the position of the planar upper surface of the first magnet relative to the initial position by slightly raising the first magnet at a selected location along the direction of drift of the second spinning magnet.

A magnetic levitation device comprising:

• only one first magnet having a first axis and a planar first surface, said first magnet being magnetized normal to said first surface and parallel to said first axis such that said first surface has a magnetic field with a first polar orientation, said magnetic field being weakened in a region of the first surface of the first magnet;
• only one second magnet having a second axis and a second surface, said second magnet being magnetized normal to said second surface and parallel to said second axis such that said second surface has a magnetic field with the same polar orientation as the magnetic field of the first surface of the first magnet;
• and
• means for transmitting rotation to said second magnet about the second axis such that when said second magnet is rotated about the second axis and disposed vertically above said first magnet with the first and second surfaces in confronting relation and the first and second axes in substantial alignment, said second magnet levitates over said first magnet free of any mechanical or nonmagnetic connection, restraint or support or any magnetic restraint or support other than the magnetic forces provided by said first and second magnets.

A magnetic levitation device comprising:

• only one first magnet made entirely of a magnetic material and having a first axis and a planar first surface, said first magnet being magnetized normal to said first surface and parallel to said first axis such that said first surface has a magnetic field with a first polar orientation, said magnetic field being weakened in a region of the first surface of the first magnet;
• only one second magnet having a second axis and a second surface, said second magnet being magnetized normal to said second surface and parallel to said second axis such that said second surface has a magnetic field with the same polar orientation as the magnetic field of the first surface of the first magnet;
• and
• a spindle connected to said second magnet along the second axis such that when said second magnet is rotated by the spindle about the second axis and disposed vertically above said first magnet with the first and second surfaces in confronting relation and said first and second axes in substantial alignment, said second magnet levitates over said first magnet free of any mechanical or nonmagnetic connection, restraint or support or any magnetic restraint or support other than the magnetic forces provided by said first and second magnets.