Patent US5315197A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5315197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electromagnetic thrust bearing using passive and active magnets, for coupling a rotatable member to a stationary member
Assignee: AVCON - ADVANCED CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY Inc
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Filing: 1993-08-16
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Granted: 1994-05-24
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Expires: 2013-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An electromagnetic thrust bearing couples a rotatable member relative to a stationary member utilizing a combination of controllable electromagnets and a radially polarized permanent magnet, each physically associated with the stationary member. In one embodiment the rotatable member comprises a shaft having a pair of axially spaced apart thrust discs fixed thereto. A pair of solenoids are disposed about the rotatable member between the spaced apart thrust discs in oppositely facing relating to axially-facing sides of the thrust discs. The solenoids are capable of generating a controllable electromagnetic field. An arcuate radially polarized permanent magnet is disposed between the solenoids to generate a constant flux high density magnetic field between a solenoid housing and the thrust discs. In a second embodiment, a pair of solenoids are disposed about the rotatable member in facing relating on opposite sides of a single thrust disc. A radially polarized permanent magnet is disposed between the solenoids radially outwardly from the thrust disc for generating a constant flux high density magnetic field between solenoid housings and the thrust disc. A sensor determines the axial positioning of the rotatable member relative to the stationary member and provides input for controlling the positioning of the thrust disc(s) by varying the magnetic flux generated by the solenoids.
Inventors
- 👤 Crawford R. Meeks
- 👤 Patrick T. McMullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:39
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/044; F16C32/0459; F16C32/0461; F16C32/0465; F16C32/0474; F16C32/0476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing for coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising: thrust disc means fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member; an arcuate permanent magnet associated with the stationary member, for generating a constant flux high density magnetic field linking the thrust disc means to the stationary member; and a pair of solenoids associated with the stationary member and disposed about the rotatable member in oppositely facing relation to axially-facing sides of the thrust disc means, for generating a controllable electromagnetic field linking the thrust disc means to the stationary member; wherein the permanent magnet and the solenoids cooperatively axially position the rotatable member relative to the stationary member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing for coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising: thrust disc means fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member; an arcuate permanent magnet associated with the stationary member, for generating a constant flux high density magnetic field linking the thrust disc means to the stationary member; and a pair of solenoids associated with the stationary member and disposed about the rotatable member in oppositely facing relation to axially-facing sides of the thrust disc means, for generating a controllable electromagnetic field linking the thrust disc means to the stationary member; wherein the permanent magnet and the solenoids cooperatively axially position the rotatable member relative to the stationary member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 1, wherein each solenoid includes a controllable electromagnetic coil situated within a ferromagnetic housing which circumscribes a portion of the rotatable member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 1, wherein the solenoids are axially aligned with one another and cooperatively generate a controllable, axially polarized electromagnetic field to magnetically link the thrust disc means to the solenoids and provide a magnetic flux path for electromagnetically generated flux around the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic coils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is radially polarized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is disposed between the pair of solenoids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 1, including sensor means for determining axial positioning of the rotatable member relative to the stationary member, and for controlling the positioning of the thrust disc means by varying the magnetic flux generated by the solenoids.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thrust disc means includes a pair of axially spaced apart thrust discs, and wherein the pair of solenoids are disposed between the axially spaced apart thrust discs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 7, wherein the permanent magnet is disposed between the pair of solenoids and is radially polarized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thrust disc means comprises a single thrust disc, and wherein the pair of solenoids are disposed about the rotatable member in facing relation on opposite axially-facing sides of the thrust disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 9, wherein the permanent magnet is disposed radially outwardly from the thrust disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
171 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing for axially flux coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising: thrust disc means fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member, the thrust disc means having first and second opposite, axially facing, sides; first means associated with the stationary member and adjacent to the first side of the thrust disc means, for generating an axially polarized, controllable electromagnetic field; second means associated with the stationary member and adjacent to the second side of the thrust disc means, for generating an axially polarized, controllable electromagnetic field; means associated with the stationary member and disposed between the first and second electromagnetic field generating means, for generating a constant flux, high density magnetic field; and means for directing substantially all magnetic flux from the first and second electromagnetic field generating means and the constant flux magnetic field generating means, axially between the thrust disc means and the stationary member, to provide controlled magnetic flux coupling of the rotatable member to the stationary member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
171 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing for axially flux coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising: thrust disc means fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member, the thrust disc means having first and second opposite, axially facing, sides; first means associated with the stationary member and adjacent to the first side of the thrust disc means, for generating an axially polarized, controllable electromagnetic field; second means associated with the stationary member and adjacent to the second side of the thrust disc means, for generating an axially polarized, controllable electromagnetic field; means associated with the stationary member and disposed between the first and second electromagnetic field generating means, for generating a constant flux, high density magnetic field; and means for directing substantially all magnetic flux from the first and second electromagnetic field generating means and the constant flux magnetic field generating means, axially between the thrust disc means and the stationary member, to provide controlled magnetic flux coupling of the rotatable member to the stationary member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 11, wherein the constant flux magnetic field generating means includes a radially polarized, arcuate permanent magnet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 12, wherein the first and second means for generating an axially polarized, controllable electromagnetic field each include an electromagnetic coil circumferentially positioned about the rotatable member and axially spaced from the thrust disc means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic coils are axially aligned with the permanent magnet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 13, wherein the stationary member includes spaced apart, facing first and second coil housings which circumferentially surround a portion of the rotatable member and wherein the thrust disc means is situated between the facing coil housings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 15, wherein the electromagnetic coils are axially aligned with one another and cooperatively generate a controllable, axially polarized electromagnetic field to magnetically link the thrust disc means to the facing coil housings, wherein a magnetic flux path is provided for electromagnetically generated flux around the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic coils.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 16, wherein the permanent magnet is disposed radially relative to the thrust disc means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 14, wherein the thrust disc means comprises a pair of axially spaced apart thrust discs, and wherein the electromagnetic coils are disposed therebetween.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 11, including means for determining axial positioning of the rotatable member relative to the stationary member, and for controlling axial positioning of the thrust disc means by varying the magnetic flux generated by the first and second electromagnetic field generating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing for coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising: a pair of axially spaced apart thrust discs fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member; means associated with the stationary member, for generating a constant flux high density magnetic field linking the thrust discs to the stationary member; and means associated with the stationary member and disposed between the axially spaced apart thrust discs, for generating a controllable electromagnetic field linking the thrust discs to the stationary member; wherein the constant flux magnetic field generating means and the controllable electromagnetic field generating means cooperatively axially position the rotatable member relative to the stationary member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing for coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising: a pair of axially spaced apart thrust discs fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member; means associated with the stationary member, for generating a constant flux high density magnetic field linking the thrust discs to the stationary member; and means associated with the stationary member and disposed between the axially spaced apart thrust discs, for generating a controllable electromagnetic field linking the thrust discs to the stationary member; wherein the constant flux magnetic field generating means and the controllable electromagnetic field generating means cooperatively axially position the rotatable member relative to the stationary member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 20, wherein the constant flux magnetic field generating means is linked magnetically to the thrust discs through two air gaps such that axially directed flux from the constant flux magnetic field generating means passes through the air gaps to create a high density magnetic field linking the rotatable member to the stationary member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 20, wherein the electromagnetic field generating means includes a pair of solenoids disposed about the rotatable member between the thrust discs.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 20, wherein each solenoid includes a controllable electromagnetic coil situated within a ferromagnetic housing which circumscribes a portion of the rotatable member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 23, wherein the solenoids are axially aligned with one another and cooperatively generate a controllable, axially polarized, electromagnetic field to magnetically link the thrust discs to the solenoids and provide a magnetic flux path for electromagnetically generated flux around the constant flux magnetic field generating means and the electromagnetic coils.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 21, wherein the constant flux magnetic field generating means includes an arcuately shaped permanent magnet disposed between the axially spaced apart thrust discs.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 25, wherein the permanent magnet is radially polarized.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 22, wherein the constant flux magnetic field generating means includes an arcuately shaped permanent magnet disposed between the axially spaced apart thrust discs, wherein the permanent magnet is further disposed between the pair of solenoids.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electromagnetic thrust bearing as set forth in claim 20, including sensor means for determining axial positioning of the rotatable member relative to the stationary member, and for controlling positioning of the thrust discs by varying the magnetic flux generated by the controllable electromagnetic field generating means.
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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) | 1997-05-23 | 1997-11-22 | 1998-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-23 | 2001-11-22 | 2002-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-23 | 2005-11-22 | 2006-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |