Magnetic suspension and magnetic field concentration using superconductors
US4879537A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 1988 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C32/0438
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device is provided for suspending an external load by means of a magnetic field and a superconductor. The superconductor is supported in a magnetic field which penetrates the superconductor. A magnet is suspended below the superconductor and oriented so that its magnetic moment is aligned parallel to the magnetic field. The magnet is provided with a coupling means so that it can be coupled to an external load. Either a vertical or a horizontal magnetic field can be used. In one embodiment, the load-carrying member is a composite material suspended from a supported magnet. The composite consists of a superconducting phase and an attractive phase comprising either a magnet, a ferromagnetic material, or a paramagnetic material. In another embodiment, a device for concentrating flux is provided by placing a superconductor between the source of the magnetic field and the position in which the concentrated flux is desired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.