Pumping or mixing system using a levitating magnetic element, related system components, and related methods

A system for mixing a fluid, comprising:

• a vessel for holding the fluid;
• a magnetic pumping or mixing element for positioning in said vessel;
• a superconducting element for levitating and forming a magnetic coupling with said magnetic pumping or mixing 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 for rotating said superconducting element.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel positioned on a stable support structure, comprising:

• a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
• at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
• a wall defining a chamber for thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element in said chamber;
• and
• a motive device for rotating said superconducting element and said wall together.

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

• a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
• a superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
• a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a motive device for rotating said magnetic pumping or mixing element, wherein at least a portion of said motive device is positioned adjacent to and concentric with the superconducting element.

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

• a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
• at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
• a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a first motive device for rotating said magnetic pumping or mixing element or said superconducting element;
• a second motive device for moving the superconducting element relative to the vessel,
• whereby moving the superconducting element ensures that effective, non-localized pumping or mixing action is afforded by the levitating, rotating pumping or mixing element.

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

• a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
• at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a motive device for rotating one of said magnetic pumping or mixing element or said superconducting element,
• wherein said pumping or mixing element includes at least one levitation-assist chamber for holding a substance that is lighter than the fluid in said vessel, whereby the chamber assists in levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the fluid.

A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:

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

A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:

• placing the magnetic pumping or mixing element in a vessel;
• levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel using a superconducting element;
• and
• rotating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a driving magnet positioned adjacent to and concentric with the superconducting element.

A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:

• placing the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel;
• levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a superconducting element positioned in an evacuated or insulated chamber adjacent to the vessel and thermally linked to a cooling source;
• rotating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel;
• and
• moving the superconducting element relative to the vessel,
• whereby the rotating magnetic pumping or mixing element follows the movement of the superconducting element to ensure that effective, non-localized pumping or mixing action is provided.

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

• a magnetic rotor or impeller for placement in the vessel, either before or after the fluid is introduced, said rotor or impeller including at least one pair of alternating polarity driven magnets;
• at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic rotor or impeller and forming a magnetic coupling with said alternating polarity driven magnets;
• a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber in which the superconducting element is positioned, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• and
• a motive device for rotating said superconducting element to induce rotation in the levitating impeller or rotor via the magnetic coupling.

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

• a magnetic structure having an axially non-symmetric magnetic field for placement in the vessel;
• at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic structure and forming a non-contact coupling with said levitating magnetic structure;
• a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber for thermally separating or isolating the superconducting element from the vessel and a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• and
• a motive device for rotating said superconducting element,
• whereby the rotation of the superconducting element induces rotation in the magnetic structure which in turn pumps or mixes the fluid when present in the vessel.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, said system including at least one stable support structure, comprising:

• a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel, said magnetic pumping or mixing element including at least two alternating polarity driven magnets creating an axially non-symmetric magnetic field;
• at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element and forming a coupling therewith;
• a cryostat including a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel, said cryostat rotatably supported by a bearing assembly supported by the stable support structure;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a motor coupled to said cryostat by an endless belt, wherein said endless belt transfers the rotary motion produced by said motor to cause said cryostat and hence said superconducting element to rotate.

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel using a magnetic structure having an axially non-symmetric magnetic field for placement in the vessel, comprising:

• at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic structure and forming a non-contact coupling with said levitating magnetic structure;
• a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber for thermally separating or isolating the superconducting element from the vessel and a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• and
• a motor coupled to said cryostat by an endless belt, wherein said endless belt transfers the rotary motion produced by said motor to rotate said cryostat and said superconducting element together,
• whereby the rotation of the superconducting element induces rotation in the magnetic structure which in turn pumps or mixes fluid when present in the vessel.

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

• a pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing element including at least two driven magnets;
• a superconducting element for levitating the pumping or mixing element;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a rotary motive device including at least two driving magnets, each of which form a magnetic coupling with one of the driven magnets for transmitting torque to said magnetic pumping or mixing element, wherein at least a portion of said motive device is positioned adjacent to and concentric with the superconducting element.

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

• a pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing element including at least two driven magnets;
• a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber in which an annular superconducting element having a center opening is positioned, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
• a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
• a motor having a rotating shaft for rotating at least two driving magnets positioned in the center opening of the annular superconducting element and hence adjacent to and concentric therewith, with each of the driven magnets forming a magnetic coupling with one of the driven magnets for transmitting torque to said magnetic pumping or mixing element.

A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:

• placing the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel;
• levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a superconducting element;
• and
• forming a magnetic coupling between the pumping or mixing element and the superconducting element;
• rotating the superconducting element to induce rotation in the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel as a result of the magnetic coupling.

A system for intended use in pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel using a rotor or impeller capable of producing a non-symmetrical magnetic field, comprising:

• at least one superconducting element capable of being field cooled for levitating and coupling with the magnetic rotor or impeller;
• a cryostat for receiving the superconducting element and capable of maintaining the superconducting element in a field cooled state while thermally isolating the superconducting element;
• and
• a motor for rotating the superconducting element,
• whereby the magnetic rotor or impeller may be rotated in the vessel in a non-contact fashion as a result of the combined levitational and rotational forces supplied by the superconducting element when field cooled.