Drive system employing frictionless bearings including superconducting matter
US5120706A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S505/70
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device employing frictionless bearings including a mass of superconductor material having a superconducting temperature T.sub.c above about 77.degree. K., a magnet having an axis of symmetry being levitated from said mass of superconductor material so as to be rotatable about its axis of symmetry, and a support member attached to the magnet, the support member being driven so as to cause the magnet to rotate about its axis of symmetry. Additionally, there is included a frictionless commutator wherein a signal beam is intermittently interrupted by a member attached to the magnet, such intermittent interruption of the beam being detected and employed to cause alternate energization and de-energization of a solenoid which, in turn, creates a magnetic field. The solenoid magnetic field is employed to attract and repel second magnets positioned about the member so as to rotatably drive the first magnet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.