Patent ID: 6384500
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A magnetic bearing for centering and controlling tilting of a first body, the first body being mobile in tilting within a range of angular movement from minus 5Â° or lower to plus 5Â° degrees or greater about a center of tilting, relative to a second body having a reference axis passing through the center of tilting, the bearing including centering members that center the first body magnetically relative to the second body at least in a direction transverse to the reference axis, the bearing further comprising:two permanently magnetized rings carried by a first ferromagnetic armature fastened to the first body extending around the reference axis, where each of the two permanently magnetized rings has a magnetization direction that passes at all points at least approximately through the reference axis, wherein each of the permanently magnetized rings is parallel to the other and offset in a direction parallel to the reference axis and on respective opposite sides of the center of tilting and has free edges substantially forming portions of a common sphere centered on the center of tilting; a plurality of annular tilt windings fastened to the second body and each including two groups of circumferential strands that respectively face the permanently magnetized rings regardless of the orientation of the hollow outer part relative to the center of tilting within the range of movement in tilting, wherein the annular windings are carried by a second ferromagnetic armature defining in conjunction with the magnetized rings air-gaps whose thickness remains constant throughout the range of angular movement in tilting; and an excitation circuit that applies excitation currents to the tilt windings to generate tilt forces in the air-gaps.