Patent ID: 9404532
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: F16C

Claim Text:
1. A superconductor-magnet bearing system, comprising: a cylindrical first bearing portion coupled to a support, the first bearing portion having an outside first diameter and an outer surface and being fixed relative to the support; and an annular second bearing portion having a cylindrical opening there through, a central longitudinal axis and an inner surface, the opening having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; wherein one of the first and second bearing portions is at least partially composed of a high-temperature superconductor and includes a first magnet; wherein another of the first and second bearing portions is at least partially composed of a radially magnetized magnet; wherein the first bearing portion is disposed at least partially within the opening through the second bearing portion so that a gap exists between the outer surface of the first bearing portion and the inner surface of the second bearing portion; wherein the second bearing portion is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the first bearing portion and support; wherein the first magnet is configured to repel the radially magnetized magnet so that the second bearing portion is biased toward a concentric position about the longitudinal axis; and wherein the high-temperature superconductor and radially magnetized magnet are configured to at least partially resist longitudinal movement of the second bearing portion.