Patent ID: 7126244
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. A linear magnetic bearing assembly comprising: a longitudinally-extending inner component comprising a first magnetic source having a first inner polarized end having a first polarity and a second inner polarized end having a second polarity opposite the first polarity and having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extending between the first end and the second end; a first longitudinally-extending outer component having a second magnetic source and a second longitudinally-extending outer component having a third magnetic source, each of the longitudinally-extending outer components having a first outer polarized end having the first polarity and a second outer polarized end having the second polarity, each first outer end being aligned with the first inner end and each second outer end being aligned with the second inner end, a housing connected to each of the two outer components for mounting the two outer components in a fixed relationship to each other and for allowing relative longitudinal movement between the two outer components and the inner component; wherein the two outer components are positioned relative to the inner component to provide: wherein the magnitude of the first end force vector is equal to the magnitude of the second end force vector at equilibrium; the first, second, third, and fourth continuous end gaps each provide a plurality of transverse force vectors having a net magnitude of zero at equilibrium, wherein the transverse force vectors are in a direction transverse to the axis of the inner component and the longitudinal direction; and the bearing assembly has an axially stable and a transversely stable equilibrium, wherein, in response to movement of the inner component relative to the outer component to cause a decrease in the gap width of at least a portion of one of the gaps, magnetic repulsive forces at the portion of decreased gap width urge the inner component and the outer component away from each other to return to equilibrium.