Axial magnetic suspension

A method of supporting a shaft along a longitudinal axis of a housing, the method comprising:

• selecting an axial position of the shaft within the housing;
• selecting a first array of magnet members based upon the selected axial position, the first array of magnet members comprising a first magnet member, a second magnet member, and a third magnet member;
• and
• positioning the first array of magnet members towards a first end of the shaft between the shaft and the housing such that a first force and a second force are generated in the array of magnet members which is configured to position the shaft at the axial position within the housing, the first and second forces being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft;
• selecting a second array of magnet members based upon the selected axial position, the second array of magnet members comprising a fourth magnet member, a fifth magnet member, and a sixth magnet member;
• and
• positioning the second array of magnet members towards a second end of the shaft wherein the fourth magnet member and the fifth magnet member generate a third force that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the fifth magnet member and the sixth magnet member generate a fourth force that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

A suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing, the system comprising:

• a first array of magnet members disposed between the shaft and the housing at one end of the shaft;
• and
• a second array of magnet members disposed between the shaft and the housing at another end of the shaft, wherein the first array of magnet member generates first and second forces and the second array of magnet members generates third and fourth forces and wherein the forces are configured to position the shaft axially within the housing,
• wherein the first, second, third, and fourth forces are all substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.