Patent ID: 8453580
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: B60L

Abstract:
1. A method of magnetically levitating a load, the method comprising: inducing a magnetic flux in a first rail of a track via a first leg spaced apart horizontally from a first side of the first rail and a second leg spaced apart horizontally from a second side of the first rail, wherein the first side of the first rail is opposite the second side of the first rail, and wherein a first gap is defined between the first leg and the first rail and a second gap is defined between the second leg and the first rail; inducing a magnetic flux in a second rail of the track via a third leg spaced apart horizontally from a first side of the second rail and a fourth leg spaced apart horizontally from a second side of the second rail, wherein the first side of second rail is opposite the second side of the second rail, and wherein a third gap is defined between the third leg and the second rail and a fourth gap is defined between the fourth leg and the second rail; and varying a magnitude of a magnetic flux in at least one magnetically permeable beam connecting the first source of magnetic flux to the second source of magnetic flux, wherein the first gap and the second gap are of unequal size.