Patent ID: 6570286
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A full levitation magnetic beating system for magnetically suspending a rotor on a stator for rotation about an axis without contact;said full levitation magnetic bearing system employing passive permanent magnet magnetic bearings on opposing ends of the center of mass of said rotor, said passive permanent magnet magnetic bearings generating both passive radial centering and passive axial forces, said magnetic bearing system also including an active axial magnetic bearing for providing axial stabilization; each said passive permanent magnet magnetic bearing comprising more than two magnetic pole rings on one of said rotor and said stator, or both said rotor and said stator, and cooperating poles on the other of said rotor and said stator; magnetic air gaps between said magnetic pole rings and cooperating poles; said magnetic pole rings and cooperating poles have axially facing surfaces that are perpendicular to said axis; said axially facing surfaces lying adjacent a virtual spherical shell that is concave about the center of mass of said rotor.