US5831362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnet-superconductor flywheel and levitation systems
Assignee: University of Houston
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Filing: 1997-07-16
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2017-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a flywheel system for storing kinetic energy which utilizes a high temperature superconductor/magnet system for the flywheel bearings. The flywheel includes a first magnet, and having a ring magnet defining an opening. The levitation system includes a magnet for attractively interacting with first flywheel magnet, with a high temperature superconductor interposed between them, and further includes a magnet system for repulsively interacting with and partially inserted into the ring magnet.
Inventors
- 👤 Wei-Kan Chu
- 👤 Quark Yung-Sung Chen
- 👤 Ki-Bui Ma
- 👤 Harold Zule Xia
- 👤 Mark Alan Lamb
- 👤 Rodger Sheldon Cooley
- 👤 Chase Kenyon McMichael
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:58
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/08; H02K7/09; F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/0408; F16C32/0436; F16C32/0438; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/30; H02K7/02; H02K7/025; F16C2361/00; F16C2361/55; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/16; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2117; Y10T74/2119
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A rotational platform system comprising: a rotatable member having a mounting platform, a first ring magnet coupled with a ring magnet of opposite polarity, a second ring magnet coupled with a ring magnet of opposite polarity, and defining an opening for receiving a magnet support; a levitation system for levitating the rotatable member comprising a magnet support positioned within the rotatable member with the rotatable member rotatable about the magnet support; a first pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the first ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member upward; a second pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the second ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member downward; a high temperature superconductor located above the first ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the first pair of repulsed magnets and a high temperature superconductor located below the second ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the second pair of repulsed magnets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A rotational platform system comprising: a rotatable member having a mounting platform, a first ring magnet coupled with a ring magnet of opposite polarity, a second ring magnet coupled with a ring magnet of opposite polarity, and defining an opening for receiving a magnet support; a levitation system for levitating the rotatable member comprising a magnet support positioned within the rotatable member with the rotatable member rotatable about the magnet support; a first pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the first ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member upward; a second pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the second ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member downward; a high temperature superconductor located above the first ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the first pair of repulsed magnets and a high temperature superconductor located below the second ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the second pair of repulsed magnets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The platform system of claim 1 wherein the levitation system further comprises one or more legs for anchoring the levitation system to the ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The platform system of claim 1 further comprising a cooling system for cooling the high temperature superconductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The platform system of claim 3 wherein the cooling system is a liquid nitrogen cooling system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The platform system of claim 1 wherein the cooling system is a liquid nitrogen cooling system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The platform system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor, measuring equipment or other device affixed to the mounting platform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The platform system of claim 1 further comprising a driving mechanism for rotating the rotatable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The platform system of claim 7 wherein a telescope is affixed to the mounting platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The platform system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor, measuring equipment or other device affixed to the mounting platform, further comprising a cooling system for cooling the high temperature superconductors, and further comprising a driving system for rotating the rotatable member, wherein the levitation system further comprises one or more legs for anchoring the levitation system to the ground.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The platform system of claim 1 further including a first complementary ring magnet having opposite polarity as and coupled with first ring magnet, and a second complementary ring magnet having opposite polarity as and coupled with second ring magnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
A rotational platform system comprising: a rotatable member having a mounting platform, a first ring magnet, a second ring magnet, and defining an opening for receiving a magnet support; a levitation system for levitating the rotatable member comprising a magnet support positioned within the rotatable member with the rotatable member rotatable about the magnet support; a first pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the first ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member upward; a second pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the second ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member downward; a high temperature superconductor located above the first ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the first pair of repulsed magnets and a high temperature superconductor located below the second ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the second pair of repulsed magnets.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
A rotational platform system comprising: a rotatable member having a mounting platform, a first ring magnet, a second ring magnet, and defining an opening for receiving a magnet support; a levitation system for levitating the rotatable member comprising a magnet support positioned within the rotatable member with the rotatable member rotatable about the magnet support; a first pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the first ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member upward; a second pair of repulsed magnets supported on the magnet support and positioned so that the second ring magnet is magnetically between the pair and urging the rotatable member downward; a high temperature superconductor located above the first ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the first pair of repulsed magnets and a high temperature superconductor located below the second ring magnet and positioned magnetically between the second pair of repulsed magnets.
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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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |