US5747426A — High performance magnetic bearing systems using h…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 171 words

A structure for magnetic bearings, comprising: a superconducting assembly comprising at least one superconducting magnetic member, said superconducting magnetic member having a support face and containing at least one domain, each of said domain including respective domain C-axis vectors; a magnetic assembly comprising at least one magnetic member, said magnetic member having a thrust face opposing said support face and including a reference axis having a direction perpendicular to said thrust face; a magnetic field between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly, said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point; said structure having an arrangement wherein said superconducting magnetic member includes at least one domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said reference axis, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope; said arrangement providing at least one stabilizing force.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 171 words

A structure for magnetic bearings, comprising: a superconducting assembly comprising at least one superconducting magnetic member, said superconducting magnetic member having a support face and containing at least one domain, each of said domain including respective domain C-axis vectors; a magnetic assembly comprising at least one magnetic member, said magnetic member having a thrust face opposing said support face and including a reference axis having a direction perpendicular to said thrust face; a magnetic field between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly, said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point; said structure having an arrangement wherein said superconducting magnetic member includes at least one domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said reference axis, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope; said arrangement providing at least one stabilizing force.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein the said superconducting magnetic member comprises a plurality of superconducting magnetic elements.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The structure of claim 2 wherein said superconducting magnetic member includes a plurality of arrays of superconducting magnetic elements wherein a first array is vertically positioned over a second array.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein the domain C-axis vectors have a domain vector arrangement in the shape of a cone.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The structure of claim 2 wherein said superconducting magnetic element contains between three to ten domains.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said domain C-axis vector has an angular disposition α 1 relative to the reference axis, said angular disposition α 1 satisfies the formula -9°<α 1 <90° and α 1 ≠0°.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 77 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said superconducting magnetic member comprises: a first domain having a first domain C-axis vector parallel to the reference axis; a second domain having a second domain C-axis vector having an angular disposition α relative to the reference axis such that α satisfies the formula: 0°<α≦90°; a third domain having a third domain C-axis vector having an angular disposition β relative to the reference axis such that β satisfies the formula: -90°≦β<0°.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 7 words

The structure of claim 7 wherein α=abs(β).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 8 words

The structure of claim 7 wherein α<abs (β).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 7 words

The structure of claim 7 wherein α>abs(β).

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 182 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said superconducting member includes a plurality of superconducting magnetic elements forming an array wherein: a first superconducting magnetic element comprises: a first domain having a first domain C-axis vector parallel to the reference axis; a second domain having a second domain C-axis vector having an angular disposition α 2 relative to the reference axis such that α 2 satisfies the formula: -90°≦α.sub.2 <0 or 0<α.sub.2 ≦90°; a third domain having a third domain C-axis vector having an angular disposition β 2 relative to the reference axis such that β 2 satisfies the formula: -90°≦β.sub.2 <0 or 0<β.sub.2 ≦90°; a second superconducting magnetic element comprises: a fourth domain having a fourth domain C-axis vector parallel to the reference axis; a fifth domain having a fifth domain C-axis vector having an angular disposition α 3 relative to the reference axis such that α 3 satisfies the formula: °<α.sub.3 ≦90°; a sixth domain having a sixth domain C-axis vector having an angular disposition β 3 relative to the reference axis such that β 3 satisfies the formula: -90°≦β.sub.3 <0°.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 16 words

The structure of claim 11 wherein α 2 =α 3 and β 2 =β 3 .

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

The structure of claim 11 wherein α 2 =Θ 4 +α 3 and β 2 =β 3 -Θ 4 wherein Θ 4 satisfies the formula: 0°<Θ.sub.4 ≦90°.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

The structure of claim 11 wherein α 2 Θ 4 -α 3 and β 2 =Θ 2 +β 3 wherein Θ 4 satisfies the formula: 0°<Θ.sub.4 ≦90°.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said arrangement is such that the domain C-axis vectors are azimuthally symmetric with respect to a plane containing the reference axis.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said arrangement is such that the domain C-axis vectors are azimuthally asymmetric with respect to the reference axis.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said magnetic member comprises a plurality of magnetic segments.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said superconducting assembly is capable of being levitated over said magnetic assembly.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

The structure of claim 18 wherein said superconducting assembly is capable of lateral movement over said magnetic assembly.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said magnetic assembly is capable of being levitated over said superconducting assembly.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The structure of claim 20 wherein said magnetic assembly is capable of rotational movement, said magnetic assembly having a rotation axis in a direction parallel to the reference axis.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

The structure of claim 21 wherein said magnetic assembly has a rotor shape selected from cylinder and cylindrical disc.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

The structure of claim 22 wherein the superconducting assembly has a stator shape selected from cylinder and cylindrical disc, said stator shape having at least one radius.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 28 words

The structure of claim 23 wherein said domain C-axis vectors along said radius have a C-axis vectorial sum direction that is azimuthally symmetric relative to said reference axis.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The structure of claim 23 wherein said C-axis vectors have a C-axis vectorial sum direction parallel to the flux slope.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 55 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein: said domain C-axis vectors have a vectorial sum angle Θ 5 ; said domain C-axis vectors are randomly disposed such that each of said domain C-axis vector has an angular disposition α 4 relative to said reference axis such that α 4 satisfies the formula: Θ.sub.5 -90°≦α.sub.4 ≦Θ.sub.5 +90°.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 15 words

The structure of claim 26 wherein α 4 satisfies the formula: Θ.sub.5 -10°≦α.sub.4 ≦Θ.sub.5 +10°.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 60 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein: said domain C-axis vectors have a vectorial sum angle Θ 7 ; said domain C-axis vectors are disposed in a statistically normal distribution having a mean distribution substantially equal to Θ 7 , wherein about 90% of the domain C-axis vectors have an angular disposition α 5 satisfying the formula: Θ.sub.7 -15°≦α.sub.5 ≦Θ.sub.7 +15°.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 26 words

The structure of claim 28 wherein about 90% of said domain C-axis vectors have an angular disposition α 5 satisfying the formula: Θ.sub.7 -5°≦α.sub.5 ≦Θ.sub.7 +5°.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 44 words

The structure of claim 3 wherein said superconducting magnetic elements in a first array disposed in a staggered formation relative to superconducting magnetic elements in a second array such that the superconducting magnetic elements in said first and second arrays form a brick-wall arrangement.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 16 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein said superconducting magnetic member comprises a Type II superconducting material.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 92 words

The structure of claim 31 wherein said Type II superconducting material comprises at least one material selected from La 1 .85 Ba 0 .15 CuO 4 , La 1 .85 Sr 0 .5 CuO 4 , YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 , Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 , Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10 , Tl 2 Ba 2 CaCu 2 O 8 , Tl 2 Ba 2 Ca 2 Cu 2 O 10 and HgBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 6+ δ.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 170 words

A method for providing at least one stabilizing force in a magnetic bearing system including a superconducting assembly comprising at least one superconducting magnetic member, said superconducting member having a support face, and a magnetic assembly comprising at least one magnetic member, said magnetic member having a thrust face opposing said support face and including a reference axis having a direction perpendicular to said thrust face, wherein a magnetic field is formed between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point, comprising: providing said superconducting magnetic member with at least one domain; arranging said superconducting magnetic member such that at least one domain has a domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said reference axis, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 170 words

A method for providing at least one stabilizing force in a magnetic bearing system including a superconducting assembly comprising at least one superconducting magnetic member, said superconducting member having a support face, and a magnetic assembly comprising at least one magnetic member, said magnetic member having a thrust face opposing said support face and including a reference axis having a direction perpendicular to said thrust face, wherein a magnetic field is formed between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point, comprising: providing said superconducting magnetic member with at least one domain; arranging said superconducting magnetic member such that at least one domain has a domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said reference axis, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 173 words

A rotary bearing structure, comprising: a stator assembly comprising at least one superconducting magnetic member, said superconducting magnetic member having a support face, said superconducting magnetic member containing at least one domain, each of said domain including respective domain C-axis vectors; a rotor assembly comprising at least one magnetic member, said magnetic member having a thrust face opposing said support face and including a reference axis having a direction perpendicular to said thrust face; a magnetic field between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly, said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point; said structure having an arrangement wherein said superconducting magnetic member includes at least one domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said reference axis, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope; said arrangement providing at lest one stabilizing force.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 173 words

A rotary bearing structure, comprising: a stator assembly comprising at least one superconducting magnetic member, said superconducting magnetic member having a support face, said superconducting magnetic member containing at least one domain, each of said domain including respective domain C-axis vectors; a rotor assembly comprising at least one magnetic member, said magnetic member having a thrust face opposing said support face and including a reference axis having a direction perpendicular to said thrust face; a magnetic field between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly, said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point; said structure having an arrangement wherein said superconducting magnetic member includes at least one domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said reference axis, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope; said arrangement providing at lest one stabilizing force.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 24 words

The rotary bearing structure of claim 34 wherein said rotor assembly and said stator assembly are relatively disposed to function as a thrust bearing.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 32 words

The rotary bearing structure of claim 34 wherein said rotor assembly and said stator assembly are relatively disposed to function as a journal bearing. said arrangement providing at least one stabilizing force.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 165 words

A bearing structure for an energy storage system comprising: a rotor assembly comprising at least one permanent magnetic member, said rotor assembly having a rotation axis; a stator assembly positioned to support said rotor assembly, said stator assembly comprising at least one high temperature superconducting magnetic member, said high temperature superconducting magnetic member containing at least one domain, each of said domain including respective domain C-axis vectors; a magnetic field between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly, said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point; said bearing structure having an arrangement wherein said stator assembly includes at least one domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said rotation, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope; said arrangement providing at least one stabilizing force.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 165 words

A bearing structure for an energy storage system comprising: a rotor assembly comprising at least one permanent magnetic member, said rotor assembly having a rotation axis; a stator assembly positioned to support said rotor assembly, said stator assembly comprising at least one high temperature superconducting magnetic member, said high temperature superconducting magnetic member containing at least one domain, each of said domain including respective domain C-axis vectors; a magnetic field between said superconducting assembly and said magnetic assembly, said magnetic field characterized by a plurality of flux lines, each of said flux lines intersecting said support face at an intersecting point, each of said flux lines having a flux slope at said intersecting point; said bearing structure having an arrangement wherein said stator assembly includes at least one domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to said rotation, such that at least one of said C-axis vectors is aligned with at least one of said flux slope; said arrangement providing at least one stabilizing force.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 36 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein: said flux slopes have a flux slope vectorial sum direction; said domain C-axis vectors have a C-axis vectorial sum direction which is aligned with said flux slope vectorial sum direction.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 36 words

The structure of claim 1 wherein: said flux slopes have a flux slope vectorial sum direction; said domain C-axis vectors have a C-axis vectorial sum direction which is parallel to said flux slope vectorial sum direction.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 42 words

The structure of claim 3 wherein: along any array of superconducting elements, said flux slopes have a flux slope vectorial sum direction; said domain C-axis vectors have a C-axis vectorial sum direction which is aligned with said flux slope vectorial sum direction.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 17 words

The structure of claim 40 wherein the C-axis vectorial sum direction is parallel to the reference axis.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-05-04	2001-11-03	2002-05-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-05-04	2005-11-03	2006-05-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-05-04	2009-11-03	2010-05-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

High performance magnetic bearing systems using high temperature superconductors

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