US5177387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High temperature superconducting magnetic bearings
Assignee: University of Houston
•
Filing: 1990-12-04
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2010-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic bearing having a rotatable member and a stationary member on one of which is mounted a superconductor while on the other is mounted a set of permanent magnets or electromagnets arranged as a quadrupole or multiple dipoles. The magnetic member, which is in the form of a dipole, a quadrupole, or other multiple dipole, such as an octopole, is positioned to enable the magnetic fields generated by the permanent magnets to interact with the superconducting material and to confine the shaft in all directions in the desired location. The bearing systems can be used as either a thrust bearing or as a journal bearing, or as both. Each dipole may be twinned to reduce magnetic field asymmetry and reduce energy dissipation upon rotation. The superconductor may be laminated, and/or additional magnets may be located outside the superconductor in order to increase the bearing stiffness and rigidity.
Inventors
- 👤 Chase K. McMichael
- 👤 Wei-Kan Chu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/0408; F16C32/0436; F16C32/0438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A bearing structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis and having a first surface, a second surface and a center; (b) a superconductor body attached to said rotatable member; (c) a first magnetic quadrupole mounted adjacent said first surface of said rotatable member, said first magnetic quadrupole having a first quadrupole magnetic field oriented parallel to said axis; and (d) a second magnetic quadrupole mounted adjacent said second surface of said rotatable member, said second magnetic quadrupole having a second quadrupole magnetic field oriented oppositely from said first quadrupole magnetic field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A bearing structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis and having a first surface, a second surface and a center; (b) a superconductor body attached to said rotatable member; (c) a first magnetic quadrupole mounted adjacent said first surface of said rotatable member, said first magnetic quadrupole having a first quadrupole magnetic field oriented parallel to said axis; and (d) a second magnetic quadrupole mounted adjacent said second surface of said rotatable member, said second magnetic quadrupole having a second quadrupole magnetic field oriented oppositely from said first quadrupole magnetic field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 1 wherein said first magnetic quadrupole is a magnet selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 1 wherein said second magnetic quadrupole is a magnet selected form the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 1 further comprising a second superconductor body attached to said rotatable member near the center of said rotatable member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bearing structure of claim 1 wherein said superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bearing structure of claim 5 wherein said layers are contoured to approximate the magnetic fields of said magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A bearing structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis and having a first surface and a second surface; (b) a rotatable magnetic quadrupole attached to said rotatable member and having a magnetic field oriented parallel to said axis; and (c) a superconductor body mounted adjacent said first and second surfaces of said rotatable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A bearing structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis and having a first surface and a second surface; (b) a rotatable magnetic quadrupole attached to said rotatable member and having a magnetic field oriented parallel to said axis; and (c) a superconductor body mounted adjacent said first and second surfaces of said rotatable member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 7 wherein said rotatable magnetic quadrupole is a magnet selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bearing structure of claim 7 wherein said rotatable magnetic quadrupole has a quadrupole magnetic field oriented perpendicular to said axis. .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing structure of claim 7 wherein said superconductor body is contoured to approximate a magnetic field formed by said rotatable magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
A bearing structure of claim 7 further comprising a first stationary magnetic quadrupole located adjacent the portion of said superconductor body which is adjacent said first surface of said rotatable member and having a first stationary quadrupole magnetic field oriented oppositely from the magnetic field generated by said rotatable magnetic quadrupole, and a second stationary magnetic quadrupole located adjacent the portion of said superconductor body which is adjacent said second surface of said rotatable member and having a second stationary quadrupole magnetic field oriented oppositely from the magnetic field generated by said rotatable magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bearing structure of claim 11 further comprising a third stationary magnetic quadrupole located to the outside of said rotatable member and having a third stationary quadrupole magnetic field oriented the same as the magnetic field generated by said rotatable magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bearing structure of claim 7 wherein said superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
A bearing structure comprising: (a) a sliding member slidable along a linear path and having a first surface, a second surface and a center; (b) a superconductor body attached to said sliding member; (c) a first magnetic quadrupolemounted adjacent said first magnetic quadrupole having a first quadrupolemagnetic field oriented perpendicular to said linear path; and, (d) a second magnetic quadrupole mounted adjacent said second surface of said sliding member, said second magnetic quadrupole having a second quadrupole magnetic field oriented oppositely from said first quadrupole magnetic field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
A bearing structure comprising: (a) a sliding member slidable along a linear path and having a first surface, a second surface and a center; (b) a superconductor body attached to said sliding member; (c) a first magnetic quadrupolemounted adjacent said first magnetic quadrupole having a first quadrupolemagnetic field oriented perpendicular to said linear path; and, (d) a second magnetic quadrupole mounted adjacent said second surface of said sliding member, said second magnetic quadrupole having a second quadrupole magnetic field oriented oppositely from said first quadrupole magnetic field.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 14 wherein said first magnetic quadrupole is a magnet selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 14 wherein said second magnetic quadrupole is a magnet selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 14 further comprising a second superconductor body attached to said sliding member near the center of said sliding member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bearing structure of claim 14 wherein said superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bearing structure of claim 18 wherein said layers are contoured to approximate the magnetic fields of said magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A bearing structure comprising: (a) a sliding member slidable along a linear path and having a first surface, a second surface and an outside; (b) a sliding magnetic quadrupole attached to said sliding member; and (c) a superconductor bodymounted adjacent said first and second surfaces of said sliding member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
A bearing structure comprising: (a) a sliding member slidable along a linear path and having a first surface, a second surface and an outside; (b) a sliding magnetic quadrupole attached to said sliding member; and (c) a superconductor bodymounted adjacent said first and second surfaces of said sliding member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing structure of claim 20 wherein said sliding magnetic quadrupole is a magnet selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing structure of claim 20 wherein said superconductor body is contoured to approximate a magnetic field formed by said sliding magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing structure of claim 20 further comprising a second superconductor body positioned adjacent to and to the outside of said sliding member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bearing structure of claim 20 wherein said superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bearing structure of claim 24 wherein said layers are contoured to approximate the magnetic fields of said magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
A journal baring structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis; (b) a magnetic quadrupole attached to said rotatable member with poles oriented along said axis; and (c) a superconductor body mounted adjacent said magnetic quadrupole and rotatable member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
A journal baring structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis; (b) a magnetic quadrupole attached to said rotatable member with poles oriented along said axis; and (c) a superconductor body mounted adjacent said magnetic quadrupole and rotatable member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
A journal bearing structure of claim 26 wherein said superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials said layers being oriented in the direction of said axis.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
A journal bearing structure of claim 26 wherein said dipole is twinned.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
A journal bearing structure of claim 26 further comprising a permanent magnet mounted outside said superconductor body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A journal bearing structure of claim 26 wherein said superconductor body is distributed symmetrically about said axis.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A journal bearing structure of claim 26 further comprising tilting means connected to said superconductor body to allow said superconductor body to move relative to said axis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
A journal bearing structure of claim 26 wherein said magnetic dipole is a plurality of single magnetic dipoles.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A journal bearing structure of claim 32 further comprising a plurality of superconductor bodies separating said plurality of single magnetic dipoles.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
A thrust bearing structure, comprising; (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis; (b) a magnetic quadrupole attached to an end of said rotatable member with magnetic pole oriented along said axis; and (c) a superconductor body mounted adjacent said magnetic pole and rotatable member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
A thrust bearing structure, comprising; (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis; (b) a magnetic quadrupole attached to an end of said rotatable member with magnetic pole oriented along said axis; and (c) a superconductor body mounted adjacent said magnetic pole and rotatable member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thrust bearing structure of claim 34 wherein said superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thrust bearing structure of claim 34 wherein said magnetic element is a magnetic dipole.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thrust bearing structure of claim 36 wherein said magnetic element is a magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
A thrust bearing structure of claim 36 wherein said dipole is twinned.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thrust bearing structure of claim 34 wherein said superconductor body is mounted axially from said magnetic element.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thrust bearing structure of claim 34 wherein said superconductor body is mounted to surround said magnetic element radially.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thrust bearing structure of claim 34 further comprising a permanent magnet mounted outside said superconductor body.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
80 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis; (b) a journal magnetic dipole attached to said rotatable member with poles oriented along said axis; (c) a journal superconductor body mounted adjacent said journal magnetic dipole and said rotatable member; (d) a thrust magnetic element attached to an end of said rotatable member with poles oriented along said axis; and (e) a thrust superconductor body mounted adjacent said magnetic dipole and said rotatable member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
80 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure, comprising: (a) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis; (b) a journal magnetic dipole attached to said rotatable member with poles oriented along said axis; (c) a journal superconductor body mounted adjacent said journal magnetic dipole and said rotatable member; (d) a thrust magnetic element attached to an end of said rotatable member with poles oriented along said axis; and (e) a thrust superconductor body mounted adjacent said magnetic dipole and said rotatable member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein said journal superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials said layers being oriented in the direction of said axis.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein said journal dipole is twinned.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 further comprising a journal permanent magnet mounted outside said journal superconductor body.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein said journal superconductor body is distributed symmetrically about said axis.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 43 further comprising tilting means connected to said journal superconductor body to allow said superconductor body to move relative to said axis.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 further comprising a journal permanent magnet mounted outside said journal superconductor body.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 48 further comprising a plurality of journal superconductor bodies separating said plurality of single journal magnetic dipoles.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein sid thrust superconductor body includes layers of superconducting material and non-superconducting materials.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein said thrust magnetic element is a magnetic dipole.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein said thrust magnetic element is a magnetic quadrupole.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein said thrust dipole is twinned.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein sid thrust superconductor body is mounted axially from sid thrust magnetic element.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 wherein sid thrust superconductor body is mounted to surround said thrust magnetic element radially.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thrust and journal bearing structure of claim 42 further comprising a thrust permanent magnet mounted outside sid thrust superconductor body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |