Free flying magnetic levitator

A free flying magnetic levitator that is self stabilized and fully maneuverable for magnetic structure establishing an odd number of poles for interaction with another magnetic field having an even number of poles to produce linear motion instead of rotation without a guideway. Longitudinally wound coils produce the odd pole magnetic field for maximizing coupling with an even pole field such as the magentic field of the earth.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
It is known in the art of magnetics that magnets and magnetic materials can 
exert forces of attraction and/or repulsion between each other and various 
magnetomechanical devices are known, including flying systems such as 
levitating trains. These levitators require some form of linear guideway 
to provide lateral stability and directional guidance. Without such a 
guideway the interaction between opposing magnet systems would terminate 
linear motion. The levitator would no longer have suspension and thrust, 
and would rotate to a static rest. A novel levitator is herein provided 
that requires not guideway, is free flying, self stabilized and fully 
maneuverable. 
With regard to movement of the levitator hereof in space, it is noted that 
the earth's magnetic field has substantially parallel lines of force over 
any limited distance and the present invention provides for establishing 
an interacting tripole magnetic field by forming the turns of magnetic 
fields thereof perpendicularly to the circumference of the winding. With 
such winds, interaction with the earth's magnetic field, for example, 
results from coupling primarily through the vector potential field of the 
levitator windings and obeys Ampere's longitudinal force law to indeed 
produce substantial thrust in the "weak" magnetic field of the earth. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a levitator or flight unit incorporating a 
number of magnets having an odd number of poles that is controllably 
movable in an exterior magnetic field and which is herein embodied as a 
toy having a tethered flight unit controllably movable in a magnetic 
field. The term field generator is herein employed to define a principal 
magnetic field source that the levitator interacts with. 
It is known that a magnet having three poles may be formed by physically 
connecting a pair of dipole magnets together with like poles contacting 
each other. This structure may then have, for example, north poles at each 
end and a south pole at the center. It has been commented by at least one 
researcher that such structure has no useful purpose. It is possible, 
however, to combine tripole magnets, for example, in such a way that a net 
force is exerted thereon by an external magnetic field to the end of 
moving the combination by magnetic forces and in fact to support and move 
the combination in the space by such forces. A simple combination of 
tripole electromagnetics is herein controllably energized to not only 
levitate the combination in a magnetic field, but also to controllably 
move the combination in the field. 
Considering now magnetic forces and interactions as an aid to understanding 
the present invention, it is first noted that magnetomechanical 
interactions are the direct result of polar relationships. Conventional 
magnetomechanical machines have an even number of active poles and can be 
explained by elementary dipole-dipole interactions. It is known that 
opposite poles attract each other and like poles repel. Two unrestrained 
dipoles may exhibit some repulsion temporarily, but will not remain in 
stable opposition, as they inevitably rotate and attract each other. 
Single isolated magnetic pole have been hypothicated as elementary 
particles but no single pole magnets have been adequately confirmed. A 
hypothetical isolated magnetic pole would be attracted toward another 
opposite monopole and repelled from a like monopole along a straight 
trajectory. A monopole would be attracted to one pole of the dipole and 
repelled by the other pole and would follow a curvilinear trajectory. A 
first dipole magnet can be made to move across the field lines of a second 
if the field of the first magnet is tapered, although a tapered dipole 
will also rotate as it cuts across the field and will come to rest when in 
line with the other field's force lines. 
A three pole magnet, as employed in the present invention, exhibits many of 
the characteristics of a monopole. If the flux in both halves of a tripole 
are equal, the opposite rotational moments thereof in a magnetic field 
will balance each other. However, in order to have linear motion between a 
tripole and a dipole, the inner pole and outer poles of the tripole must 
have different effective strengths and they should couple to the dipole 
field with different efficiencies. In essence, there should be weaker and 
stronger poles, i.e., a pole differential. Winding an electromagnetic 
tripole along two opposite horn or cone sections with their throats 
meeting in the middle creates a greater magnetic flux density in the 
middle pole because there are more turns per ampere of current flow in the 
middle pole compared to the outer poles. Also, the inner and outer poles 
operate at different characteristic impedance (mostly reluctance and 
inductive reactance) causing a differential of coupling efficiencies to 
the external dipole field. Without these acting on the tripole they would 
balance each other and there would be no motion. 
Another major factor determining the overall magnetomechanical performance 
of the dipole-tripole interactions and all even pole-even pole, odd 
pole-odd pole interactions is the overall impedance matching of opposing 
systems. In most magnetomechanical systems the gap between moving elements 
is very small the loss of efficiency by poor impedance matching is 
insignificant so there has been little investigation of the problem. 
However, a free flying magnetic levitator generator system, with the flux 
in the medium between them, where the gap between moving elements can be 
very large impedance matching becomes important. A closer impedance match 
is a function of the size, shape and materials of the opposing systems. In 
the case of an electromagnet tripole interacting with a permanent magnet 
dipole, it is proposed that a coating of the winding wire of the tripole 
with materials havig a magnetic permeability larger than the wire but 
smaller than the permanent magnet dipole would improve coupling efficiency 
and that such permeability should be close to the permeability of the 
medium between both systems. 
The use of coating to improve the performance of a system is common 
practice in other technologies, although the correlations to magnetic 
levitators have been evidenced only by rudimentary demonstration. The 
electromagnet tripole is not limited to employing slowly varying direct 
electrical currents, but can employ all types of modulated alternating 
currents, hence the levitator becomes a cross between a motor and antenna. 
The permanent magnet dipole has certain characteristic electromagnetic 
resonances and a dynamic antenna motor tripole serving as a levitator will 
interact dynamically with the dipole as well as statistically; however, 
such theory and application is still only rudimentarily developed. 
However, the static odd pole-even pole interactions of novel value here 
are more clearly demonstrated and explained above. 
Free flying magnetic levitators can be configured from two tripoles 
disposed perpendicularly to each other, as well as other combinations of 
tripoles, five pole magnets and other odd pole combinations. A simple 
magnetic levitator is a full embellishment of Coulombs law for 
magnetomechanical systems: 
##EQU1## 
Where F=force between the levitator and the filed generator, C=coupling 
efficiency, .phi..sub.F =magnetic flux of the field generator, .phi..sub.L 
C=magnetic flux of the levitator, u.sub.m =permeability of the medium, 
r=distance between the levitator, and the filed generator, K=universal 
magnetic constant (for compatability of units). This law is applicable to 
all permanent and electromagnets operating as motors or generators.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention may be embodied as a toy such as illustrated in FIG. 
1 of the drawings wherein a bar magnet 21 is shown to be mounted on a non 
magnetic and non conducting board or the like 22 and a tethered flight 
unit 23 is suspended from a support 24 above the magnet 21. This support 
24 may have a vertical portion 26 extending upwardly from the board 22 and 
a generally horizontal arm 27 extending over the magnet with a tether 28 
depending from an outer end of the arm 27 and secured to the flight unit 
23 for normally supporting the latter above the magnet 21. There is also 
provided a control unit 31 which may be also mounted on the board 22. The 
flight unit 23 is electrically energized through the tether 28 as further 
described below, and thus this tether 28 extends into connection with the 
control unit 31 which may contain one or more electrical batteries for 
energizing later described elements of the flight unit 23. The control 
unit is shown in the illustrated embodiment to include an on/off switch 32 
and a pair of joy stick controls or joy sticks 33 and 34. These joy sticks 
33 and 34 are shown to be adapted for movement in the manner of an 
airplane stick toward and intermediate to the four quadrant positions of 
each which are indicated for stick 33 by the letters A, B, C, and D and 
for the joy stick 34 as numerals (1), (2), (3) and (4). 
The flight unit 23 of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be 
exteriorly comprised as a ping pong ball or the like and interiorly 
thereof there may be provided a pair of orthogonally disposed tripole 
electromagnets adapted for controlled energization from the control unit 
31 by the joy sticks 33 and 34. Energization of the flight unit 23 by the 
switch 32 in the control unit 31 will cause the magnetic fields about the 
flight unit 23 to interact with the magnetic fields above the bar magnet 
21 and appropriate operation of the control unit will cause the flight 
unit 23 to levitate, i.e., to rise upwardly from the board 22 above the 
magnet 21 so as to release tension on the depending tether 28, as 
indicated in FIG. 1. The flight unit 23 may be formed so as to be stable 
in the fixed magnetic field of the magnet 21 and thus not rotate or to be 
thrown laterally out of this fixed magnetic field. Additionally, 
manipulation of the joy sticks of the control unit 32 may be employed to 
control movement of the flight unit 23 in the external magnetic field. 
It will be appreciated that the manner of energizing the flight unit 23 may 
be varied and the simplest manner appears to be the provision of 
electrical connection thereto by a tether 28, as illustrated. It is, 
however, also possible to incorporate a power supply and control means 
within the flight unit 23 which can them be readily radio controlled 
without the necessity of employing a tether or electrical connection to 
the flight unit. Certain aspects of the foregoing are further discussed 
below. 
Considering now somewhat further, the flight unit 23 and, in particular, 
the operating portions thereof, reference is made to FIGS. 2A and 2B. In 
FIG. 2A there is illustrated a simple tripole electromagnet 40 which may 
be formed of a pair of small hollow truncated paper cones 41 and 42 
connected together at the truncations thereof and externally wound with 
small copper wire 43. The wire 43 is insulated and forms a substantial 
plurality of turns on the exterior of the cones 41 and 42. The electrical 
equivalent of the foregoing is illustrated in FIG. 2B wherein there will 
be seen to be formed a first coil 44 having a large diameter at one end 
and a small diameter at the other end. Electrical connections are provided 
at 47 and 49 to the outer or large ends of the coils 44 and 46 and a 
common connection 49 is made to the joinder of the small ends of the coils 
44 and 47. It will be appreciated that a current passing through a coil 
produces a magnetic field about the coil with the direction thereof being 
dependent upon the directions of current flow and the flux thereof 
proportional to the product of the current times the number of turns of 
the coil. In the simple configuration of FIG. 2B, for example, current 
flowing from the terminals 47 and 49 to the common terminal 49 produce a 
magnetic field having like poles at the outer or larger ends of the coils 
and a pole of opposite polarity at the center or joinder of the coils. 
Additionally, it will be noted that forming the coils in the manner 
described produces more turns at the center or joinder of the coils so as 
to produce a more intense field thereat. 
Control over the magnetic field or fields about the tripole electromagnet 
40 illustrated in FIG. 2A and 2B may be readily accomplished by 
controlling the current flowig through the coils 44 and 46 and thus, for 
example, reversing the polarity of current flow will reverse the polarity 
of the magnetic field about the entire unit. Varying the current flow to 
one coil with respect to the other coil will thus vary the field intensity 
about one of the coils with respect to the other. These capabilities are 
of particular interest and importance in the present invention as further 
described below. 
The simple tripole electromagnet illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2b and briefly 
described above may be employed as a building block for a variety of 
different flight units, for example, and in this respect reference is made 
to FIG. 3. A pair of tripole electromagnets or units 40 and 50 are shown 
to be disposesd in orthogonal relationship with the truncated conical 
portions of each being contiguous and in the illustrated embodiment the 
unit 40 overlies the unit 50. This simple configuration may, in fact, be 
employed as the interior of the flight unit 23 disposed, for example, 
within the ping pong ball forming the shell of this flight unit. It will 
be appreciated that a coil is formed on each of the truncated cones of 
each of the units 40 and 50. In order to relate the energization of the 
tripole electromagnets and individual coils thereof to the control unit 
31, there are provided certain notations on the illustration of FIG. 3 
which will be seen to relate to like notations in FIG. 1. The triple 
electromagnets 40 and 50 may, for example, be glued to the interior of the 
ping pong ball or shell of the flight unit of if contacting each other may 
be glued together. 
Before proceeding with a further description of the illustrated embodiment 
of the present invention described above, it is noted that various 
combinations of tripole or odd pole magnets may be employed to produce a 
self-stabilized and fully maneuverable levitator in accordance with the 
present invention. It is also not necessary to provide windings on 
truncated cones and they may have a cylindrical shape. There is, for 
example, illustrated in FIG. 4, an embodiment of the present invention 
employing three tripoles which are mutually perpendicular with the centers 
thereof disposed as close together as possible. Further arrangement of 
interest and possibly substantial importance is a pentapole configuration 
wherein four cones are disposed with the large faces thereof on separate 
surfaces of a tetrahedron and the small ends thereof joined together at 
the center thereof. Such an arrangement is schematically illustrated in 
FIG. 5, wherein a tetrahedron 61 is illustrated with one face thereof 
comprising the plane of the drawing and the other three faces extending 
upwardly therefrom toward the viewer. Coils 62, 63, 64 and 65 are shown to 
have the large ends thereof disposed on separate surfaces of the 
tetrahedron 61 and the small ends meeting at the common point 66 at the 
center of the tetrahedron. These coils may, for example, be energized to 
establish north poles at the large ends or faces thereof, as indicated, 
and a south pole at the common small ends thereof. This particular 
configuration is advantageous for particular applications and it is noted 
that the tetrahedron 61 is only illustrated in FIG. 5 to identify the 
orientation of the coils and need not exist in a physical structure. More 
complex combinations of odd pole magnet configurations are also provided 
such as heptapole wherein six pole sections are provided with a common 
small end and the large ends thereof disposed on separate faces of a cube, 
and also octahedron and higher order arrangements. 
Considering now the control unit 31 of the embodiment of th e present 
invention illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference is made to FIG. 
6 wherein the flight unit 23 is schematically illustrated to be connected 
by the tether 28 to circuitry of the control unit. The flight unit 23 is 
shown to include a pair of tripole electromagnets B and D disposed 
perpendicularly to each other and each having a pair of magnet windings 
with common connection at the center thereof. The windings, for 
convenience, are denominated as (1), (2), (3) and (4) corresponding to the 
numbering employed for the quadrants of the joy stick 34 of the control 
unit. The control unit provides for individually energizing the coils of 
the flight unit and to this end there are provided four amplifiers 71, 72, 
73, and 74. It will be seen that amplifier 71 is connected across coil 91) 
with the remaining amplifiers connected across successive coils in like 
manner. Input voltages to the amplifiers 71 through 74 are individually 
controlled by the potentiometers 76, 77, 78, and 79, respectively, with 
the movable contacts thereof being operated by the joy stick 34 so that 
the current flow to each separate coil of the flight unit may be 
individually controlled. 
Provision is also made in the control unit for varying the energization of 
one tripole magnet with respect to the other and this is accomplished by a 
potentiometer 81 disposed on the power supply side of the potentiometers 
76 through 79. This potentiometer 81 has a movable contract thereof 
connected to one side of each of the potentiometers 76 through 79 and thus 
with a voltage applied across the potentiometer 81, movement of the 
movable contact will increase energization of one of the tripoles while 
decreasing energization of the other. In FIG. 6 the ends of the 
potentiometer 81 are identified as B and D corresponding to the 
designation of tripoles in the flight unit. Thus movement of the movable 
contact of the potentiometer 81 toward the upper end, as illustrated, will 
increase the energization of tripole B while decreasing the energization 
of tripole D, and vice versa. 
Provision is also made herein for reversing the polarity of energization of 
the tripoles and this is shown to be accomplished by the provision of a 
further potentiometer 82 connected across a power supply such as 6-volt 
battery 83 through the on/off switch 32. This potentiometer 82 is center 
tapped and this center tapped is connected to the lower end of the 
potentiometer 81, denominated by the letter D, with a movable contact of 
the potentiometer being connected to the upper end of the potentiometer 
81, denominated by the letter B. It will be appreciated that adjustment of 
the position of the movable contact of the potentiometer 82 will thus 
serve to adjust overall energization of the two tripoles and also to 
reverse the polarity of energization of them. The letters A, B, C and D of 
FIG. 6 correspond to the quadrants similarly denominated for the joy stick 
33 in FIG. 1. 
The present invention may also provide for modulating the currents passed 
through the coils of the tripoles of the flight unit by external means via 
jacks 86-89. This illustrated in block diagram in FIG. 6 by signal 
generators 91, 92, 93 and 94 connected to the inputs of amplifiers 71, 72, 
73 and 74, respectively, through jacks 86-89. Only single line connections 
are shown; however, it will be realized that modulating signals are 
applied across the input terminals of the amplifiers 71 through 74 at the 
dictates of the control elements 96 through 99, respectively. 
While the physical operation of the present invention is quite 
straightforward, an understanding of the reasons therefor may be best 
obtained by first considering certain magnetic relationships and 
interactions and in this respect reference is made to FIG. 7 of the 
drawings. A magnetic dipole 51, i.e., a magnet having a north and a south 
pole, when disposed in a external magnetic field 52, will rotate as 
indicated at the upper left of FIG. 7 into alignment with the field lines 
of the magnetic field 52 inasmuch as like poles repel and unlike poles 
attract. A hypothetical monopole is attracted toward a monopole of 
opposite polarity and repelled from a monopole of like polarity to travel 
in a straight line trajectory. A tripole magnet or tripole 52 disposed in 
an external magnetic field of a dipole 54 exhibits certain characteristics 
of a monopole magnet. If both halves of a tripole are of equal strength 
the opposite rotational moments thereof in an external magnetic field will 
balance each other so that no rotation occurs. Linear motion of a tripole 
in a dipole magnetic field may be obtained by having different 
efficiencies of coupling with the dipole field. A single tripole magnet 53 
disposed in an external magnetic field 52 will travel along a curvilinear 
trajectory, as indicated by the heavy lines in FIG. 7. It is also noted 
that a tripole magnet may be oriented in line with or across lines of 
force of a field generator. In cross field orientation a tripole magnet 
will move in a curvilinear trajectory opposite to that of the in-line 
orientation. 
Referring now again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, operation of the switch 32 
to place same in the "on" position will energize the circuitry of the 
control unit 31. With the joy stick 33 vertical the movable contact of the 
potentiometer 82 will be in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 so that the 
coils of the flight unit 23 are not energized. Movement of the joy stick 
33 forward or backward between A and C in FIG. 1 will cause the coils in 
the flight unit to be energized with one or the other polarity. Rotational 
movements of a tripole electromagnet or tripole are produced by causing 
one-half of the tripole to become weaker or stronger than the other half. 
As this pole section differential is increased the tripole acts more and 
more like a dipole, rotating through the path of least resistance into an 
alignment with the lines of force or the exterior or opposing magnetic 
field. In the present instance, it will be realized that the flight unit 
23 is depending from the tether 28 in the magnetic field of the magnet 21. 
It will, of course, be appreciated that the flight unit will operate in 
any magnetic field, whether produced by a bar magnet, electromagnet or 
field generator of any type including the earth's magnetic field. 
Obviously the strength of the fields involved affect the magnitude of the 
effects produced. It is also noted that the gradients of the tapered poles 
begin to unbalance with the increased taper caused gradient differential 
making the tripole cut across the field generator force lines. The tripole 
acts partially like a tapered dipole and if one tripole in a dual tripole 
levitator, such as illustrated, is stronger overall than the other 
tripole, the strong tripole will act in effect as a bearing about which 
the weaker tripole can rotate. 
Considering the joy stick controls, it is noted the pushing joy stick 34 
from neutral position toward position (1) will nose down the levitator; 
pushing the joy stick toward position (3) will nose up the levitator; 
pushing the joy stick toward position (2) will move the levitator sideways 
to the right and pushing the joy stick toward position (4) will move the 
levitator sideways to the left. It is also noted that the flight unit 
properly energized there is a net upward thrust thereon from the 
interaction of the magnetic fields and this may be made sufficient to 
counteract the effect of gravity so that the flight unit in effect hovers 
and removes tension on the tether 28. 
The other joy stick 33 may be operated by moving it from its neutral or 
vertical position A to cause the flight unit to move forward and moved 
toward position C to cause the flight unit to move backwards or reverse. 
Moving the joy stick 33 toward position B will make tripole B more 
powerful than tripole D and if tripole B is in line with the field 
generator force lines this will provide a bearing in effect to bank the 
levitator. Moving the joy stick 33 toward position D will make the tripole 
D more powerful than the tripole B and if tripole D is across the field 
generator force lines there will be provided a bearing in effect to nose 
the levitator up or down. 
It wil be seen that the flight unit 23 may be controlled, not only to hover 
in a exterior magnetic field or the field of an exterior field generator 
also to make all of the motions possible with conventional flying devices 
such as an airplane. One operating the present invention may thus move the 
flight unit 23 about in the surrounding magnetic field generated in this 
circumstance by the bar magnet 21 acting as the external field generator. 
It will, of course, be appreciated that the controls of the control unit 
31 may be set up in a variety of ways, possibly for example, by providing 
separate joy sticks for A-C and D-B. It will also be appreciated that the 
physical configuration of the exterior of the flight unit 23 is subject to 
wide variation and for some applications it may be of interest to form the 
flight unit with laterally extending wings, for example, in order that a 
user of the invention may fully appreciate the degree of control of the 
flight unit that is possible with the present invention. 
As noted above, there are numerous modifications and variations of the 
present invention which are possible within the scope of this invention 
and, in this respect, reference is made to FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrating an 
alternative tripole arrangement that is particularly applicable for 
certain situations. As shown in FIG. 8, there are provided two exterior 
frusto-conical sections 101 and 102. Within this exterior structure, there 
is provided coaxial and like but smaller double horn combined 
frusto-conical sections 103 and 104. Upon the outer structure 101-102 
there is provided a two-turn coil 106 having single turn coil sections 107 
and 108 wound on the frusto-conical sections 101 and 102 respectively with 
the common center point at the joinder of these sections. Similarly there 
is wound an inner two-turn coil 111 upon the frusto-conical sections 103 
and 104 and having coil sections 112 and 113 with a common center at the 
small coil section ends. Preferably there are provided six exterior coils 
similar to coil 106 and six interior coils like coil 111. These six coils 
are connected in electrical parallel. 
The illustration of FIGS. 8 and 9 are not intended to show complete unit, 
but instead are provided for the purpose of illustrating one manner of 
forming a particular tripole magnet structure. Thus in FIG. 9, there is 
schematically or diagrammatically shown one coil 106 which will be seen to 
comprise a first inwardly spiraling portion of one turn and then by a 
dashed line in an outwardly spiraling single turn. With six coils being 
provided upon the structure the ends thereof would be space apart as 
indicated in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that the inner coil windings 
such as coil 111 are wound in a similar manner. 
The tripole arrangement of FIG. 8 and 9 comprise input and output means. 
Thus the outer coils such as coils 106 may be considered as motor coils in 
the manner of the coils of the tripoles discussed above, while the inner 
coils, such as coil 111, may be employed as inputs or sensors to sense the 
exterior or opposing magnetic field of the field generator establishing 
the principal magnetic field with which the levitator interacts. Sensing 
of this exterior magnetic field provides control capabilities particularly 
advantageous for certain applications of the present invention. It is also 
noted that the input coils can derive electrical power from an external 
magnetic field to thereby become an auxiliary electrical generator. 
An advantageous manner of forming a tripole is illustrated in FIG. 10 with 
the electrical circuitry thereof shown in FIG. 11. A pair of insulating 
discs 121 and 122 are space apart and connected by a plurality of, such as 
six, metal rods 123. Upon this structure, there are wound insulated wires 
to form coils and the structure upon which the coils are wound my be 
varied from cylindrical to a pair of hyperbolic horns by rotating the 
insulating discs 121 and 122 relative to each other. As illustrated in 
FIG. 10, the discs have been rotated slightly in order to indicate the 
variations from cylindrical. A number of single turn coil sections are 
wound on the rods 123 with the adjacent ends thereof exteriorly tapped as 
indicated at 126 and 127 and the outer coil ends connected to opposite 
ends of the same metal rod connected to a common terminal 128, again as 
shown in FIG. 10. A plurality, such as six, double coil windings as 
described above may be provided upon the structure with the inner ends of 
each coil section connected to a rod and, in fact, all of the rods may be 
electrically connected together at the center. 
The arrangement described above, and generally illustrated in FIG. 10, will 
be seen to provide a plurality of parallel coils with a common center tap, 
as shown in FIG. 11. The coil 131 shown in FIG. 10 comprises only one of 
the plurality of parallel connect coils having a common center tap 128. 
This arrangement provides for parallel energization of a plurality of 
coils in a controllable manner for maximizing current flow through the 
coils for any level of electrical power input. 
It has been noted above that impedance matching between the system of the 
flight unit and the opposing of surrounding magnetic field is 
advantageous. In FIG. 12, there is an enlarged section of a coil wire 141 
having an insulating coating 142 thereabout with a coating 143 about the 
insulation. This coating may be formed of a material having a magnetic 
permeability that is larger than that of the wire 141, but smaller than 
that of the field generator establishing the field within which the unit 
is disposed. The permeability of the coating 143 should be also be close 
to the permeability of the medium within which the coil is disposed. 
The present invention has been described above primarily with respect to 
movement of the levitator hereof in an artificially generated external 
magnetic field, however, it is noted that the levitator is also applicable 
to movement in the earth's magnetic field. In connection with this 
application of the present invention, it is advantageous to note certain 
theoretical considerations particularly with regard to types of magnetic 
fields and forces of interacation therebetween, as well as coupling 
between such fields. There follows a brief discussion of applicable 
theoretical considerations without any attempt to prove the known force 
laws identified therein. 
When magnets interact with each other forces exist between them. Almost all 
magneto mechanical systems are composed of cylindrical magnets, the 
electromagnets being wound along the circumference as a helix, to generate 
dipole fields, herein termed "poloidal" fields. The forces are calculated 
with the Lorentz force law where the external field, the current in the 
winding and the force of the interaction with the external field all are 
perpendicular to each other. Other magneto mechanical systems can be 
composed of toroidal magnets, the electromagnets being wound along the 
circumference of the cross section of the torus. The forces can be 
calculated with the Ampere-Neumann force law where the external field, the 
current in the winding and the force of interaction with an external 
magnetic field all are parallel to each other. 
Cylindrical windings achieve full coupling in a radial external field and 
toriodal windings achieve full coupling in an axial external field. In a 
cylindrical winding, the magnetic field is poloidal and the vector 
potential field is toroidal. In a toroidal winding, the magnetic field is 
toroidal and the vector potential field is poloidal. Poloidal fields 
generate forces of interaction when they couple and toroidal fields do 
not. 
A cylindrical winding can be viewed as having a bobbin like a collapsed 
tire inner tube which can be "blown up" (topologically deformed) to become 
a torus. A toroidal winding can be viewed as having a bobbin like an 
inflated tire inner tube which can be "collapsed" (topologically deformed) 
to become a cylinder. 
If the current in a wire loop is considered to be in a 3D space, the 
magnetic field around the wire is the vector curl of the current and 
exists some further dimension that might be considered as in 4D space. If 
the magnetic field around the wire is considered to be in 4D space the 
vector potential field around the magnetic field is the vector curl of the 
magnetic field and exists some further dimension that might be considered 
as in 5D space. Many more fields are nested in fields of higher 
dimensionality but only two are known to demonstrate macroscopic forces of 
interaction, magnetic fields via many common linear and rotational motors 
and vector potential fields. 
From the foregoing, it has been determined that controlled linear movement 
of a levitator in the earth's magnetic field, for example, requires a high 
real coupling efficiency and is in fact dependent upon the gradient of the 
vector potential field of the levitator. In accordance with the present 
invention, the turns of the tripole winding hereof are wound 
perpendicularly to the circumference thereof around the length of a bobbin 
rather than winding same around the circumference thereof in order to 
radically improved the efficiency of coupling of a tripole to the parallel 
lines of force of the external magnetic field of the earth. Forceful 
interaction with the earth's magnetic field that accelerates the levitator 
is coupled primarily through the vector potential fields of the levitator 
winding and follows the Ampere-Neumann longitudinal electrodynamic force 
law, as noted, for example at Page 311 of Nature, Vol. 95, Jan. 28, 1982. 
There is illustrated in FIG. 13 an improved electrical winding or coil 151 
which may, for example, be "wound" upon a frustoconical form 152 having a 
hollow interior. An insulated electrical conductor 153 is "wound" upon the 
form 152 by attaching the conductor to the exterior of the form in 
elongated V-shaped paths extending between the ends of the form, as 
illustrated. The winding conductor 153 will thus be seen to extend back 
and forth between the ends of the coil or winding 151 with electrical 
conductors 154 and 156 extending from opposite ends of same for electrical 
energization of the winding. It will be seen that this winding or coil 151 
exhibits the magnetic characteristics of a toroidal coil wherein the 
surrounding magnetic field is toroidal but the vector potential field is 
poloidal. Thus the magnetic field of the winding 151 will generate forces 
of interaction is a surrounding external magnetic such as the magnetic 
field of the earth. It is in fact the vector potential field of the 
energized winding 151 which couples with the earth's field to generate 
forces of interaction with a high degree of coupling between such fields. 
The winding or coil of FIG. 13 may be alternatively formed as illustrated 
in FIG. 14 wherein the same or similar coil form 152 is provided, and the 
insulated conductor 153 is wound longitudinally about the form 152 with 
alternate turns exteriorly and interiorly of the form. It will be seen 
that the winding of FIG. 14 is substantially the equivalent of the winding 
of FIG. 13 in so far as magnetic properties are concerned. 
In accordance with the present invention two coils 151 or 161 are disposed 
in axial alignment with the small ends of each contiguous to form a 
tripole magnet structure 166, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The tripole may 
be energized by a controllable power supply 167 connected between the 
center of the tripole and the ends thereof. Energization of the tripole 
166 to pass current through the windings thereof, as for example, from the 
center to the outer ends will produce a surrounding magnetic field having 
a differential field strength between the outer ends and the center of the 
tripole. This then satisfies the criteria set forth above for a tripole in 
accordance with the present invention, however, this particular tripole 
produces a toroidal magnetic field having a vector potential field that is 
poloidal and which generates forces of interaction with the surrounding 
dipole magnetic field when coupled therewith. This particular tripole 
magnet structure thus couples with high efficiency to the poloidal or 
dipole external magnetic field, i.e., one having parallel or substantially 
parallel lines of force, as is found in the earth's magnetic field. 
The tripole magnet 166 of FIG. 15 may be employed directly for levitation 
or may combined in orthogonal arrangement with a another tripole to thus 
produce a controllable levitating structure of the same general type as 
described above and illustrated, for example, on FIG. 3. Higher order odd 
pole magnets may also be constructed from this basic building block as 
discussed above. 
It will be appreciated that levitation for any substantial distance in the 
earth's magentic field is best accomplished without physical connection of 
the levitator to the ground or power supply means that may be located 
thereat. This can be accomplished by providing the levitator itself with a 
self contained power supply. Such a power supply may energize the windings 
of the levitator magnets with electrical energy stored in the windings. 
Considering this matter some what further, it is noted that the force, F, 
applied to a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field, B, is 
proportional to Bli, wherein 1 is the length of the conductor and i is 
current flowing through the conductor. Interaction with the relatively 
weak earth's magnetic field produces levitation and motion of the 
levitator hereof may best be accomplished by causing a vary large current 
to flow through the windings of the electromagnet hereof. Reference is 
made in this respect to FIG. 16 illustrating a curve of critical current 
versus magnetic field strength. Commonly motors are operated in the range 
A to B in the figure, wherein the current is relatively low and the field 
strength is relatively high. Inasmuch as the field strength of the earth's 
magnetic field is known to be quite low, the present invention operates 
upon an entirely different portion of the curve, as indicated, for 
example, at C thereon wherein a very large current is employed. 
The current carrying capacity of electrical conductors is known to be 
related to the resistance thereof, and in order to achieve truly high 
current density, the present invention employs conductors having extremely 
small or substantially zero resistance, i.e., superconductors. One known 
superconductor of use here is niobium-titanium that may comprise an alloy 
containing 48% titanium and a superconductor so comprised preferably 
includes copper clading of full annealed copper. Superconducting 
properties of alloys are generally considered to be attainable only at 
very reduced temperatures although recent research indicates that some 
types of conductors may exhibit superconducting properties at higher 
temperatures. A cryostat may be employed to provided the requisite low 
temperature for achieving superconductivity of the windings thereof, and 
in this respect reference is made to an article entitled "A flying 
superconducting magnet and cryostat for magnetic suspension for 
wind-tunnel models" by Britcher, Goodyear, Scurlock and Wu appearing at 
page 185 of Cryogenics, April 1984. The boiling of liquid helimum will 
reduce the temperature of the windings to the point where the resistance 
thereof approaches zero so that extremely high current flow is possible 
through the windings by discharge of energy stored in windings, for 
example. 
There is schematically illustrated in FIG. 17 a levitator 171 incorporating 
a tripole magnet or tripole magnet 166 and cryostat 172. The cryostat 
includes an outer insulated envelope 173 providing heat insulating for the 
interior thereof and an interior shell 174 mounting the tripole magnet 
166. A vacuum connection 176 is provided to evacuate the interior of the 
envelope and shell, and a fill and vent line 177 extends exteriorly of the 
rear of the envelope with a valve 178 therein. A switch 179 is 
electrically connected between the terminals of the tripole 166 and 
terminals 181 exteriorly of the envelope 173. Electrical connections are 
only schematically illustrated in FIG. 17. 
In accordance with conventional practice the cryostat 172 is first 
evacuated and then charged with liquid helium through the inlet/vent line 
177 via the value 178. The tripole 166 is then charged by an external 
power supply through the switch 179 which is connected across the windings 
of the tripole to prevent shorting of the power supply during charging. 
After disconnection of the power supply, the valve 178 is opened to vent 
the liquid helium to the atmosphere exteriorly of the cryostat so as to 
bring the temperature therein to a very low temperature by boiling of the 
liquid helium. Actuation of the switch 179 then causes a circulating 
current to flow through the windings of the tripole 166 against 
substantially zero resistance so that this current then persists to 
produce the above noted magnetic field about the tripole 166 which couples 
with the earth's magnetic field to cause forces of interaction which move 
or levitate the levitator 171. It will, of course, be appreciated that 
this levitator 171 may, and preferably does, include a pair of orthagonal 
disposed tripoles 166, however, only a single tripole is illustrated in 
FIG. 17 for easy of illustration and description. 
The levitator of FIG. 17 may, for example, comprise a small space vehicle 
with the outer shell being formed of aluminum sheet having dimension of 
ten inches in length by two and half inches in diameter with the motor 
comprising a pair of tripolel windings of niobium-titanium wire having a 
one inch diameter and two inch length. With the structure weighing one 
ounce and the motor weighing three ounces, a refrigerant in the form of 
two ounces of liquid helium may be provided therein to provide a total 
weight at lift off of 6 ounces. Such a unit may have a total thrust at 
lift off of 9 ounces with an altitude at burnout of three miles and a 
velocity of twenty-five hundreds miles per hour at such burnout. Steering 
of such a unit may be accomplished by controlled passage of some current 
through an orthogonal winding of aluminum wire, for example, which 
exhibits some resistance at the temperature of operation of the unit so as 
to provide desired lateral forces of interaction with the earth's magnetic 
field. 
The tripole magnet field hereof with longitudinally wound torodial windings 
as shown, for example, in FIG. 13, may also be formed by placing the 
conductors upon a deformable form that may be similar to the structure of 
FIG. 10 wherein the ends of the winds are capable of being rotated. A 
winding 181 may thus be formed as elongated turns in a cylindrical shape, 
as shown at A of FIG. 18. End discs or rings 182 and 183 are then 
controllably rotated in opposite directions to twist the winding 181 into 
a pair of frusto-conical shapes having contiguous small ends, as shown at 
B of FIG. 18. Appropriate electrical connections are made to the windings 
as noted above and the tripole electromagnet may thus be readily 
controlled as to taper of the windings for establishing a desired 
differential field strengths between the center and ends thereof. 
It will be appreciated that there has been described above a free flying 
magnetic levitator having extended capabilities not only for producing 
usable forces of interaction with generated electrical fields but also 
with the earth's magnetic field. It is further noted that the present 
invention particularly as described in the above noted example of a 
levitator in accordance herewith may be scaled up to larger sizes with 
increased efficiencies and the capabilities of lifting substantial pay 
loads. It is also noted that the toroidal winding of FIGS. 13 and 14 may 
be employed in each of the configurations described and illustrated for 
the winding of FIG. 2, for example. Thus the present invention does 
provide a material advancement in field of space vehicles whether such 
space be considered as the space above a desktop or as the space about the 
earth, and beyond. 
Although the present invention has been described above with respect to the 
particular preferred embodiments and in connection with a particular 
principle magnetic fields source with which the levitator interacts, it is 
not intended to limit the present invention to the terms of description or 
details of illustrations for it will be apparent to those skilled in the 
art that many variations and modifications are possible within the spirit 
and scope of the present invention.