Patent ID: 7501922
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: F16C,H01F

Abstract:
1. A permanent magnetic levitation support, comprising: a first part having a cavity and a first axis extending through the center of the cavity; a plurality of first permanent magnets distributed about a perimeter of the cavity, wherein the permanent magnets are co-aligned about the perimeter of the cavity such that each of the first permanent magnets have a magnetic pole extending substantially perpendicular to a wall in the cavity to produce a first rotationally invariant magnetic field around a node aligned with the first axis; and a second part comprising at least one second permanent magnet rigidly connected to a base, the second part producing a second rotationally invariant magnetic field around a second axis, wherein the first permanent magnets produce the first magnetic field that is symmetric about a first plane corresponding to the first axis, and the second part produces the second magnetic field that is symmetric about a second plane corresponding to the second axis, wherein when the first plane is aligned with the second plane along a transverse plane, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field simultaneously producing a repulsive force and a restorative force to permit movement of the first part along the transverse plane as levitated relative to the second part; wherein when the first axis is at least partially aligned with the second axis, and the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field simultaneously produce the repulsive force and the restorative force to levitate the first part relative to the second part, the first part is rotatable about a pivot pin positioned opposite the second part and aligned with the first axis.