Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A magnetic bearing device formed in a casing for freely supporting a rotating loaded shaft, comprising: (a) stator means for generating a rotating magnetic field comprising a plurality, N, of electromagnets disposed along an inner surface of the casing; (b) rotor means coupled to said shaft for generating a field effect magnetic flux comprising a plurality, M, of permanent magnets disposed in opposed relationship to and spaced at a distance from said plurality of electromagnets; and (c) means for successively energizing said plurality of electromagnets while said loaded shaft is rotating so as to generate a rotating magnetic field producing a force which levitates said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A magnetic bearing device formed in a casing for freely supporting a rotating loaded shaft, comprising: (a) stator means for generating a rotating magnetic field comprising a plurality, N, of electromagnets disposed along an inner surface of the casing; (b) rotor means coupled to said shaft for generating a field effect magnetic flux comprising a plurality, M, of permanent magnets disposed in opposed relationship to and spaced at a distance from said plurality of electromagnets; and (c) means for successively energizing said plurality of electromagnets while said loaded shaft is rotating so as to generate a rotating magnetic field producing a force which levitates said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A magnetic bearing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of permanent magnets are magnetically coupled to said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A magnetic bearing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for mechanically coupling said magnetic bearing device to an external rotating motive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A magnetic bearing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for mechanically coupling is connected to a synchronous motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A magnetic bearing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for mechanically coupling is connected to a servomotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A magnetic bearing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of M and N is two greater than the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A magnetic bearing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of M and N are greater than 2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A magnetic bearing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means responsive to displacement of said shaft for shifting the phase of said rotating magnetic field so as to orient a displacement force resulting from interaction between said rotating magnetic field and said field effect magnetic flux in a predetermined levitating direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for operating a magnetic bearing device formed in a casing for freely supporting a rotating loaded shaft, said device including stator means for generating a rotating magnetic field comprising a plurality, N, of electromagnets disposed along an inner surface of the casing, and rotor means coupled to said shaft for generating a field effect magnetic flux comprising a plurality, M, of permanent magnets disposed in opposed relationship to and spaced at a distance from said plurality of electromagnets to define an airgap therebetween which contains said field effect magnetic flux and said rotating magnetic field, said method comprising the step of successively energizing said electromagnets while said loaded shaft is rotating so as to produce a levitating force which is the integral of the vertical components of the magnetic forces in said airgap generated as a result of interaction between said rotating magnetic field and said field effect magnetic flux.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for operating a magnetic bearing device formed in a casing for freely supporting a rotating loaded shaft, said device including stator means for generating a rotating magnetic field comprising a plurality, N, of electromagnets disposed along an inner surface of the casing, and rotor means coupled to said shaft for generating a field effect magnetic flux comprising a plurality, M, of permanent magnets disposed in opposed relationship to and spaced at a distance from said plurality of electromagnets to define an airgap therebetween which contains said field effect magnetic flux and said rotating magnetic field, said method comprising the step of successively energizing said electromagnets while said loaded shaft is rotating so as to produce a levitating force which is the integral of the vertical components of the magnetic forces in said airgap generated as a result of interaction between said rotating magnetic field and said field effect magnetic flux.