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US5479059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thin film superconductor magnetic bearings
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
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Filing: 1993-08-23
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Granted: 1995-12-26
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Expires: 2013-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A superconductor magnetic bearing includes a shaft (10) that is subject to a load (L) and rotatable around an axis of rotation, a magnet (12) mounted to the shaft, and a stator (14) in proximity to the shaft. The stator (14) has a superconductor thin film assembly (16) positioned to interact with the magnet (12) to produce a levitation force on the shaft (10) that supports the load (L). The thin film assembly (16) includes at least two superconductor thin films (18) and at least one substrate (20). Each thin film (18) is positioned on a substrate (20) and all the thin films are positioned such that an applied magnetic field from the magnet (12) passes through all the thin films. A similar bearing in which the thin film assembly (16) is mounted on the shaft (10) and the magnet (12) is part of the stator (14) also can be constructed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard R. Weinberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:13
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/0408; F16C32/0436; F16C32/0438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A superconductor magnetic bearing, comprising: a shaft rotatable around an axis of rotation, wherein the shaft is capable of being subjected to a load, a magnet mounted to the shaft, a stator in proximity to the shaft, wherein the stator comprises a superconductor positioned to interact with the magnet to produce a levitation force on the shaft that supports the load, characterized in that: the stator comprises a superconductor thin film assembly having at least two superconductor thin films and at least one substrate, wherein each thin film is a single crystal and is positioned on a substrate and all the thin films are positioned such that an applied magnetic field from the magnet is able to pass through all the thin films.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A superconductor magnetic bearing, comprising: a shaft rotatable around an axis of rotation, wherein the shaft is capable of being subjected to a load, a magnet mounted to the shaft, a stator in proximity to the shaft, wherein the stator comprises a superconductor positioned to interact with the magnet to produce a levitation force on the shaft that supports the load, characterized in that: the stator comprises a superconductor thin film assembly having at least two superconductor thin films and at least one substrate, wherein each thin film is a single crystal and is positioned on a substrate and all the thin films are positioned such that an applied magnetic field from the magnet is able to pass through all the thin films.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein at least one substrate has a front side and a back side and thin films are positioned on both the front side and back side.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the thin film assembly comprises three or more thin films and two or more substrates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the total thickness of the thin films is greater than the London penetration depth of the superconductor from which the thin films are made.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the total thickness of the thin films is at least about 1 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the thin films comprise a superconductor having a critical temperature greater than 77K.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises LaAlO 3 , SrTiO 3 , or surface passivated silicon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises sapphire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the thin film assembly is thermally bonded to a cold plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bearing of claim 9, wherein the cold plate is a cold stage of a cryocooler or a boundary of a liquid cryogen reservoir.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bearing of claim 1, wherein the thin film assembly is immersed in a liquid cryogen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A superconductor magnetic bearing, comprising: a stator that comprises a magnet, a shaft rotatable around an axis of rotation, wherein the shaft is capable of being subjected to a load, a superconductor mounted to the shaft in proximity to the stator, wherein the superconductor is positioned the interact with the magnet to produce a levitation force on the shaft that supports the load, characterized in that: the superconductor comprises a superconductor thin film assembly having at least two superconductor thin films and at least one substrate, wherein each thin film is a single crystal and is positioned on a substrate and all the thin films are positioned such that an applied magnetic field form the magnet is able to pass through all the thin films.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
A superconductor magnetic bearing, comprising: a stator that comprises a magnet, a shaft rotatable around an axis of rotation, wherein the shaft is capable of being subjected to a load, a superconductor mounted to the shaft in proximity to the stator, wherein the superconductor is positioned the interact with the magnet to produce a levitation force on the shaft that supports the load, characterized in that: the superconductor comprises a superconductor thin film assembly having at least two superconductor thin films and at least one substrate, wherein each thin film is a single crystal and is positioned on a substrate and all the thin films are positioned such that an applied magnetic field form the magnet is able to pass through all the thin films.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein at least one substrate has a front side and a back side and thin films are positioned on both the front side and back side.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein the thin film assembly comprises three or more thin films and two or more substrates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein the total thickness of the thin films is greater than the London penetration depth of the superconductor from which the thin films are made.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein the total thickness of the thin films is at least about 1 μm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein the thin films comprise a superconductor having a critical temperature greater than 77K.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein the substrate comprises LaAlO 3 , SrTiO 3 , or surface passivated silicon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein the substrate comprises sapphire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bearing of claim 12, wherein the thin film assembly is immersed in a liquid cryogen.
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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) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |