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US4797386A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Superconductor-magnet induced separation

Assignee: AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY AT&T BELL LABS
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Filing: 1987-04-22
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Granted: 1989-01-10
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Expires: 2007-04-22
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Abstract

Abstract Separation between a magnetized member and a Type II superconducting member inherently manifestets stability in separation distance, in lateral direction and in attitude. Uses include levitation of fixed and moveable members as well as superconducting bearings.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ernst M. Gyorgy
  • 👤 Frances Hellman
  • 👤 David W. Johnson, Jr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 10:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N15/00; H02N15/04; F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/0408; F16C32/0436; F16C32/0438; H01; H01F; H01F6/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
Apparatus comprising separated elements, separation of which is induced by force comprising magnetic-superconducting repulsion, in which, in the operating state one such element is superconducting and a second such element is magnetized, characterized in that the said superconducting element consists essentially of a Type II superconductor, and the properties and relative position of the elements are such that, in operation, the lower field value H c ,1 of the superconducting element is exceeded by a field produced by the magnetized element so as to result in magnetic field penetration within the superconducting element within at least one region which is at least partially surrounded by superconducting regions which are not field-penetrated, whereby lateral stabilization of the said relative position is at least in part due to the fact that lateral shift requires field penetration in the direction of shift.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
Apparatus comprising separated elements, separation of which is induced by force comprising magnetic-superconducting repulsion, in which, in the operating state one such element is superconducting and a second such element is magnetized, characterized in that the said superconducting element consists essentially of a Type II superconductor, and the properties and relative position of the elements are such that, in operation, the lower field value H c ,1 of the superconducting element is exceeded by a field produced by the magnetized element so as to result in magnetic field penetration within the superconducting element within at least one region which is at least partially surrounded by superconducting regions which are not field-penetrated, whereby lateral stabilization of the said relative position is at least in part due to the fact that lateral shift requires field penetration in the direction of shift.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
Apparatus of claim 1 in which the said relative positions are such as to result in at least two such regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 11 words
Apparatus of claim 1 in which a said element is levitated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 11 words
Apparatus of claim 3 in which the levitated element is magnetic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
Apparatus of claim 4 in which the levitated element is a permanent magnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 12 words
Apparatus of claim 3 in which another said element is essentially planar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
Apparatus of claim 1 in which a separated element is moved relative to another in the operating state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 12 words
Apparatus of claim 7 in which the movement consists of axial rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
Apparatus of claim 8 in which an element has a longitudinal aperture within which a second element is disposed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 11 words
Apparatus of claim 9 in which the disposed element is magnetic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 145 words
Superconducting bearing comprising a fixed casing member enclosing a rotable member the first such member being a superconductor and the second being magnetizable, in which in operation the second member is magnetized with its dipole in the direction of the axis of rotation, characterized in that the superconducting member is a Type II superconductor and in that the field to which the superconducting member is subjected by the magnetic member exceeds the lower critical field H c ,1 of the said superconducting member within two regions separated in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation, so that in operation, regions of field penetration are produced within the said superconducting member, whereby lateral stabilization of the relative positions of the first and second members is at least in part due to the fact that lateral shift requires field penetration in the direction of shift.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 145 words
Superconducting bearing comprising a fixed casing member enclosing a rotable member the first such member being a superconductor and the second being magnetizable, in which in operation the second member is magnetized with its dipole in the direction of the axis of rotation, characterized in that the superconducting member is a Type II superconductor and in that the field to which the superconducting member is subjected by the magnetic member exceeds the lower critical field H c ,1 of the said superconducting member within two regions separated in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation, so that in operation, regions of field penetration are produced within the said superconducting member, whereby lateral stabilization of the relative positions of the first and second members is at least in part due to the fact that lateral shift requires field penetration in the direction of shift.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
Bearing of claim 11 in which the rotable member is a superconductor and in which the casing member is magnetizable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
Bearing of claim 12 in which the rotatable member is magnetizable and the casing member is superconducting.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3327265A Cited
US3378315A Cited
US3589300A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-01-10 1992-07-11 1993-01-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-01-10 1996-07-11 1997-01-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-01-10 2000-07-11 2001-01-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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