US4879537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magnetic suspension and magnetic field concentration using superconductors
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1988-07-25
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-07-25
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Marshall
- 👤 Roger E. De Wames
- 👤 Peter E. D. Morgan
- 👤 Joseph J. Ratto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/0408; F16C32/0436; F16C32/0438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a superconductor supported by the support; a magnetic field penetrating the superconductor; a magnet suspended below the superconductor, the magnet providing a magnetic moment which is substantially aligned parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field; and a means for coupling the load to the magnet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a superconductor supported by the support; a magnetic field penetrating the superconductor; a magnet suspended below the superconductor, the magnet providing a magnetic moment which is substantially aligned parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field; and a means for coupling the load to the magnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnetic field is substantially vertical, and the magnetic moment is aligned parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnetic field is predominately horizontal, and the magnet is oriented to provide the magnetic moment parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 including a field magnet positioned above the superconductor, the field magnet being oriented to provide the magnetic field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the field magnet is levitated above the superconductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the field magnet is supported on the upper surface of the superconductor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
69 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a superconductor supported by the support; a first magnet levitated above the superconductor, the magnet providing a magnetic field which is substantially vertical; a second magnet suspended below the superconductor and oriented to provide a magnetic moment aligned parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field; and a means for coupling the load to the second magnet.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
69 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a superconductor supported by the support; a first magnet levitated above the superconductor, the magnet providing a magnetic field which is substantially vertical; a second magnet suspended below the superconductor and oriented to provide a magnetic moment aligned parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field; and a means for coupling the load to the second magnet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first magnet is supported by the superconductor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
68 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a superconductor supported by the support; a first magnet levitated above the superconductor and oriented to provide a magnetic field which is substantially horizontal; a second magnet suspended below the superconductor and oriented to provide a magnetic moment aligned parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field; means for coupling the load to the second magnet.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
68 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a superconductor supported by the support; a first magnet levitated above the superconductor and oriented to provide a magnetic field which is substantially horizontal; a second magnet suspended below the superconductor and oriented to provide a magnetic moment aligned parallel to and in the same direction as the magnetic field; means for coupling the load to the second magnet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first magnet is supported by the superconductor.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
63 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a magnet coupled to the support and providing a magnetic field; a composite material suspended below the magnet, the composite material comprising a superconductor and an attractive material selected from the group consisting of a ferromagnetic material, a paramagnetic material, and a magnet; and a means for coupling the load to the composite material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
63 words
A device for suspending a load comprising: a support; a magnet coupled to the support and providing a magnetic field; a composite material suspended below the magnet, the composite material comprising a superconductor and an attractive material selected from the group consisting of a ferromagnetic material, a paramagnetic material, and a magnet; and a means for coupling the load to the composite material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the magnetic field is a substantially vertical magnetic field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the magnetic field is a substantially horizontal magnetic field.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4797386A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |