MAGNETIC FIELD LEVITATION

Abstract: Various levitation devices are disclosed in which an array of permanent magnets (12) is levitated by magnetic interaction with a diamagnetic material (16). Levitation is achieved without using a fixed permanent magnet or other device to supplement the magnetic field of the array. The cost and design constraints resulting from undesirable spring constants produced by such permanent magnets are thereby avoided.

Description: MAGNETIC ETET-O T EVTTATTON Field of the Invention This invention relates to the levitation of magnetic materials by magnetic fields, and mor particularly to the suspension of such materials in a state of stable or indifferent equilibriu relative to gravitational attraction. The invention may be incorporated and used for measuremen and control in a wide range of instruments such as accelerometers, flow meters, gravity meters gyroscopes, magnetometers, micrometers, and tilt meters, as well as in nonmeasurement device such as bearings and other apparatus. Description of the Related Art There are many applications where it would be desirable to levitate a magnet or a magneti member. A levitated magnet can be acted on magnetically, and its position can be sense magnetically. But it is very difficult to levitate magnets, and there are significant limitations to al the prior approaches. Magnetostatic or stationary electromagnetic fields will not levitate magnet or magnetic materials unless the field is specially modified to have a relative magnetic permeabilit that is less than one at one or more positions. Otherwise, the magnetic material to be suspende will either be expelled from the field or drawn into contact with a magnet providing the field. Thi phenomenon is referred to as instability. Magnetic fields with stable or indifferent equilibrium ca be created by interaction between a permanent magnet and a material having a relative magneti permeability less than one. The stabilizing magnetic force of such a field is inversely proportiona to the relative magnetic permeability. Diamagnetic materials have relative magnetic permeabilities that are lower than one and can be use to provide stable levitation. But the permeabilities are only slightly lower than one and provide low lift force. Large permanent magnets have been used to levitate diamagnetic members. Bu that is very different from levitating a magnet. One prior reference suggests that the interactio between a magnet and a diamagnetic material could levitate a few microns of the magnetic material. That is not a sufficient volume for use in a practical device. Another reference uses a diamagnetic material to provide stability and a second fixed magnet located above a first magnet in order t provide sufficient lift force to levitate the first magnet. Some of the drawbacks of this design ar that the second magnet creates substantial magnetic spring constants or forces that distort th motion and limit the stability of the first magnet. The lift magnet also increases size, weight, an cost. Superconductors have a magnetic permeability of zero and produce higher lift force tha diamagnetics. The lift force of the magnetic field produced by the interaction between a magne and a superconductor is sufficiently large to suspend a magnet in the magnetic field. A permanen magnet of about one gram has been reported suspended above a concave superconducting disk But applications involving materials in the superconductive state have the limitation of requirin very low temperatures, i.e. around -200° C or lower. Another approach to levitation is to use variable electromagnetic field and feedback control to suspend magnetic materials. Drawbacks o electromagnetic devices are that they require power consumption, active control, and increase cost SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a configuration for levitating magnets by a magnetic field that is free o undesirable spring constants and instability. The invention comprises a first member that i defined by an array of magnets or magnetic dipoles which are arranged to provide a high strength high gradient magnetic field adjacent one surface of the array. More specifically, the magnets ar arranged in a side by side sequence with each consecutive magnet having opposite magneti polarity. This arrangement provides closed loop magnetic flux paths for each two consecutiv magnets that intercept both magnetic poles of the two magnets. A second member that is forme from a diamagnetic or other material having a relative magnetic permeabilty that is less than on interacts with the magnetic field to levitate the magnetic first member. This second membe defines a base or area over which the levitated magnetic array may be moved by external forces Levitation over this area is free of even small undesirable forces because the diamagnetic or othe material can be formed without surface irregularities and without magnetic or other impurities tha would affect levitation. The magnetic field provided by the array of magnets has a higher field strength and a higher fiel gradient than a magnetic field provided by a single magnetic of similar size and shape. The magnetic field from one or more magnets always forms closed loop flux paths. The strength o the field for a given magnetic material is determined by the portion of the closed loop flux paths through air compared with the portion that passes through the magnets. The shorter the portio through air compared to the portion through the magnets, the stronger the magnetic field. For lone magnet or single magnetic dipole not in an array or near other magnets, the closed loop flu path near the center of the magnet must pass all the way around the edge of the magnet before returning through the other side. This distance is particularly long for thin magnets having only short distance separating the two magnetic poles, such as are desirable for levitation in order to minimize weight. By comparison, in an array of alternating polarity magnets having the same overall shape as the single thin magnet, a closed loop flux path originating at one magnet to travels only a short distance through air before it re-enters a magnet of opposite polarity. Thus, the array has shorter flux paths through air compared to the path segments through magnetic material, an hence stronger magnetic fields than a single magnet. Similarly with respect to the field gradient, the magnetic field from a lone magnet projects through air over a large area. In an array o alternating polarity magnets, the field from each magnet is drawn to the next consecutive magnet. This limits the range and causes the strength of the magnetic field to change rapidly with displacement along the direction of magnetization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic, plan view of an array of magnets levitated above a diamagnetic material. Figure 2 is a schematic, plan view of a modification of the levitation apparatus of Figure 1 that includes a layer of ferromagnetic material. Figure 3 is a schematic, plan view of a modification of the levitation apparatus of Figure 1 that includes nonmagnetic spacers between the magnets. Figure 4 is a schematic, perspective view of a two-dimensional array of magnets levitated above diamagnetic material. Figure 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a sequence of concentric ring magnets levitated abov a diamagnetic material. Figure 6a is a cutaway cross sectional view of a level having a magnetic array levitated above diamagnetic material. Figure 6b is a top view of of the level shown in Figure 6a. Figure 7 is a cutaway cross sectional side view of a bearing having cylindrical magnetic arrays tha project from a central shaft interleaved between layers of a diamagnetic material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows levitation apparatus 10 comprised of a two-dimensional array 12 of permanen magnets 14 levitated over a layer 16 of pyrolytic graphite. Array 12 comprises an arrangement o alternate polarity magnets. Viewed from above, the alternating north and south poles form checkerboard pattern. The permanent magnets 14 are formed from neodymium-iron-boron o grade 35 megagauss-oersted or higher. This material is a strongly magnetic rare eart composition. The pyrolytic graphite 16 is a diamagnetic material. It has the lowest relativ magnetic permeability or value closest to zero of the common diamagnetics. Pyrolytic graphite ha an oriented structure of graphite crystal layers. The crystal layers (not shown) of the rectangula block 16 are oriented parallel to the bottom face of array 12. With respect to dimensions, eac magnet 14 is of rectangular box shape and measures 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.25 mm. The 0.25 mm is th thickness dimension, which is also the direction of magnetization or direction along which th magnetic poles are spaced. These dimensions are typical optimum dimensions. They provide ratio of thickness divided by width that is 0.5 for each magnet 14. The range of variation fo practical dimensions of the apparatus 10 encompasses a thickness to width ratio of 0.3 - 0.8, an thickness for each individual magnet 14 less than about 2.0 mm. In operation, the arrangement of magnets in array 12 shown in Figure 1 produces a magnetic fiel 20 in the gap or area 18 between the array 12 and surface 16 that has both a high magnetic strength and a high gradient along the direction of magnetization. The pyrolytic graphite 16 interacts with this magnetic field to produce a lift force that levitates the magnetic array 12 above surface 16 in a state of indifferent equilibrium. The array floats above surface 16 with no spring constant or force attracting it to a particular position or accelerating it in any particular direction. The magnetic strength of the field 20 changes rapidly as a function of distance from the array 12. For the specific dimensions noted above, the gap 18 will be about 25 to 50 mm or .001" to .002". Figures 2 through 7 illustrate various modifications of the levitation apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1. Common components are designated with the same numerals in all figures. Figure 2 shows levitation apparatus 22 having a layer 24 of ferromagnetic material placed across the top of array 12. Ferromagnetic layer 24 provides a low resistance magnetic path above array 20 that increases the flux density of field 20 in the gap 18 between the array 12 and surface 16. This increased flux density provides a higher lift force that will levitate a greater mass of material. Figure 3 shows levitation apparatus 26 comprised of an array 28 in which the magnets 14 are spaced apart rather than adjacent to each other as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The array 28 includes spacer elements 30 formed from a material that is substantially nonmagnetic placed between consecutive magnets 14. Such spacers 30 increase the distance between the magnetic poles o consecutive magnets, which in turn decreases the gradient of the magnetic field 20 in gap 18. This lower gradient field provides a lower lift force and will not support as large a mass as the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2. But the size of the gap 18 is increased as shown in Figure 3, and the position of material that will be supported is at a greater distance from surface 16 than provided by the other illustrated embodiments. Figure 4 shows levitation apparatus 32 comprised of a two-dimensional array 34 floating above a layer of diamagnetic material 36. A shallow bowl shape 38 is machined into the top surface of layer 36. The array 34 includes four magnets 14 arranged in a square configuration. Array 34 is a small version of array 12. Array 34 has no net magnetic dipole moment because the two magnets with vertically upward polarizations are balanced by the two magnets with vertically downwar polarizations. Arrays such as array 34 with zero net dipole moment are preferred for man applications because they are less sensitive to being twisted or turned about an axis parallel t surface 38 by magnetic interaction with either the earth's magnetic field or with the diamagneti material. This sensitivity to twisting can be avoided with rectangular arrays having a differen number of consecutive magnets along one dimension than another, as well as with squar configurations. The shallow bowl-shaped surface 38 in the top of diamagnetic layer 36 provide the magnetic array 34 with stable equilibrium rather than the indifferent equilibrium provided b the flat surfaces shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The bowl shape of surface 38, and correspondin configuration of magnetic interaction between that surface and the array 34 causes array 34 to b drawn by gravity toward the center of layer 36. Array 34 is thereby kept from floating off th diamagnetic member 36. Figure 5 shows an array 40 of magnets comprised of a small central cylinder 42 encircled by concentric ring 44 of opposite magnetization. The radius of the central cylinder 42 is chosen to b l/÷2 times the outer radius of the ring 44. Other dimensions can be used, but with this choice th central cylinder 42 will be magnetically balanced by the outer ring 44. The two-magnet array 4 has no net magnetic dipole moment. Levitated over a piece of pyrolytic graphite 36 with a gap 1 of 0.025 mm (0.001"), the two-magnet array 40 has approximately 75 percent greater levitatio force than a single magnet disc formed from the same magnetic material with the same overal dimensions as the two-magnet array 40. Arrays with more than two concentric magnets will hav even greater levitation force. Figure 6 shows a two-dimensional level 46 for detecting tilt. The level is comprised of transparent cover 48 with visual alignment marks 50. Cover 48 encloses an array 34 of magnet levitated above a layer of diamagnetic material 36 similar to that shown in Figure 4. Operation o the two-dimensional level 46 is similar to that of a more conventional two-dimensional bubble typ level. The alignment marks 50 indicate the position of array 34, and thereby the tilt of level 46 But compared to a conventional bubble level, the diamagnetic level 46 is more sensitive, lighte weight because of no need for a liquid, and free from liquid leaks. When the level 46 is placed o a horizontal surface, the levitated array 34 will line up with the alignment marks 50. If the surfac is tilted, the array 34 will stabilize over the portion of the bowl 38 that is locally horizontal relativ to the earth. Since that horizontal portion will be away from the alignment marks 50, the array wil stabilize off to the side of the marks. Thus, tilted surfaces are detected by the position of the arra 34 relative to the marks 50. Figure 7 shows a bearing 52 comprised of a shaft assembly 54 suspended in a housing 56. plurality of discs 58 which are comprised of concentric magnetic rings 44 that are similar to th ring 44 shown in Figure 5 are spaced along shaft 54. The discs 58 are interleaved between disc 60 of diamagnetic material that are attached to and project inwardly from the outer shell of housin 56. Magnetic interaction between the magnets 44 and multiple layers of diamagnetic material 6 produce a large lift force and low spring constant in the circumferential direction for shaft rotation. There are many modifications and variations that can be made to the levitation apparatus of thi invention in addition to the variations shown in Figures 1 through 7. For example, levitation ca be achieved with materials other than those specifically noted. This includes materials that provid lower lift forces. The magnets 14 may be either other rare earth magnets or also lower strengt magnets not formed from rare earth materials. The layer 16 may be comprised of othe diamagnetic materials having higher relative magnetic permeability such as bismuth. Or, th diamagnetic layer can be replaced by a superconductive material which has a lower relativ magnetic permeability, namely zero. The interaction with the superconductor will provide a highe lift force that can levitate a larger mass. But there will also be the requirement to cool th superconductor. As another variation, there are a number of alternatives to the shallow-machine surface 38 shown in Figure 4 that can be used to urge or draw the magnetic array toward a desire location. For example, a small force that will attract an array to a preferred location can b provided by forming a small indentation at a selected location in an otherwise flat diamagneti surface. Or, particles of magnetic material could be embedded in the diamagnetic material at preselected location to provide a small magnetic attraction to the magnetic array. With respect to modifications of the level 46 shown in Figure 6 and other instruments, a one dimensional diamagnetic level can be provided by making the bowl 38 long and narrow. In suc configurations alignment would be taken only along one axis. The level 46 can also be made int a tiltmeter by putting gradations on the transparent cover 46 rather than simple alignment mark 50. Or, electronic sensing apparatus using either optical or magnetic sensors could be used t identify the position of the levitated array 34. Electronic versions will be more sophisticated tha the visual embodiment shown in Figure 6 and increase accuracy. There is an increased cost, but i is moderate as the electronics are within the state of the art and fairly simple. As another variation other measuring devices can include three-dimensional levitated members that project hig strength, high gradient magnetic fields in all directions. Examples include cubes with each sid formed from a flat array as shown in Figure 4 and spheres with magnets displaced radially. Suc members can be enclosed in larger cubes, spheres, or other housings of diamagnetic material, wit sensors placed to detect motion relative to different axes.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. Magnetic levitation apparatus comprising: a first member comprised of a plurality of magnets arranged to provide a magnetic field having both a high magnetic strength and high magnetic gradient adjacent a predetermined portion of said first member, wherein said arrangement of magnets comprises a consecutive sequence with each two consecutive magnets having opposite magnetic polarity; and a second member comprised of a material having a relative magnetic permeability less than one for interacting with said magnetic field to levitate said first member, wherein said second member defines an area adjacent said second member in which said first member is levitated. 2. The levitation apparatus of claim 1 in which: said material having a relative magnetic permeability less than one is a diamagnetic material having a relative magnetic permeability between zero and one; and said levitation of said first member is achieved by said magnetic interaction between said first and second members without supplement from other magnetic sources. 3. The levitation of apparatus of claim 2 in which said diamagnetic material is either graphite or bismuth. 4. The levitation apparatus of claim 2 in which each of said magnets: is a permanent magnet comprised of a high magnetic strength material having a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole spaced from each other along a first direction; has a first dimension parallel to said separation of said north and south magnetic poles and a second dimension perpendicular to said first dimension; and has a ratio of said first dimension to said second dimension between about 0.3 and 0.8. 5. The levitation apparatus of claim 4 in which said first dimension of each of said magnets is less than about 2 millimeters and said ratio is about 0.5. 6. The levitation apparatus of claim 1 in which: each of said magnets is a permanent magnet having a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole separated by a straight line section of magnetic material; said magnets are disposed with said magnetic poles of each of said magnets positioned along directions that are substantially parallel to each other, and said directions intercept said predetermined portion of said first member adjacent said high strength high gradient magnetic field provided by said magnets. 7. The levitation apparatus of claim 6 in which: said first member comprises a two-dimensional array of permanent magnets having a plurality of said permanent magnets disposed in consecutive sequence along each of two dimensions; each two consecutive magnets along each of said dimensions have opposite magnetic polarity and define a closed loop magnetic flux path that intercepts both of said magnetic poles of said two consecutive magnets. 8. The levitation apparatus of claim 6 in which said plurality of permanent magnets comprise concentric rings. 9. The levitation apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said magnets is adjacent to another one of said magnets. 10. The levitation apparatus of claim 1 in which said first member further includes spacer means comprised of a substantially nonmagnetic material disposed between each of said magnets. 11. The levitation apparatus of claim 1 in which: said first member includes a first side and a second side; each of said magnets include one magnetic pole proximate said first side and one magnetic proximate said second side; and a layer of ferromagnetic material for providing a shortened magnetic flux path contacts said second side of said first member. 12. Magnetic levitation apparatus comprising: a first member comprised of a plurality of magnets, each having a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole, arranged to provide a magnetic field having both a high magnetic strength and high magnetic gradient adjacent a predetermined portion of said first member, wherein said arrangement of said magnets comprises a consecutive sequence of said magnets with each two consecutive magnets having opposite magnetic polarity and defining a closed loop magnetic flux path that intercepts both of said magnetic poles of each of said two consecutive magnets; a second member comprised of a material having a relative magnetic permeability less than one for interacting with said magnetic field to levitate said first member, wherein said second member defines an area adjacent said second member in which said levitated first member is levitated; and . means for moving said first member relative to said second member by magnetic interaction with said first member. 13. The magnetic levitation apparatus of claim 12 in which: said material comprising said second member is a diamagnetic material having a relative magnetic permeability between zero and one; said levitation of said first member is provided by said magnetic interaction between said first and second members without supplement from other magnetic sources. 14. The levitation apparatus of claim 13 in which said means for moving said first membe relative to said second member comprises means for providing stable equilibrium for said firs member at a predetermined position relative to said second member. 15. The levitation apparatus of claim 14 further including means for identifying displacement of said first member from said predetermined position. 16. Magnetic levitation apparatus having a first member levitated by magnetic interaction between said first member and a second member wherein: said first member is comprised of a plurality of magnetic members, and support means maintaining said magnetic members at spaced intervals from each other, each of said magnetic members comprises a plurality of magnets arranged to provide a magnetic field having a high magnetic strength and high magnetic gradient adjacent said each magnetic member, wherein said arrangement of magnets comprises a consecutive sequence with each two consecutive magnets having opposite magnetic polarity; said second member comprises a plurality of elements formed from a material having a relative magnetic permeability that is less than one; and each of said elements of said second member is disposed proximate one of said magnetic members to interact with said magnetic field provided by said magnetic member and thereby levitate said first member. 17. The magnetic levitation apparatus of claim 16 in which: said support means of said first member comprises a shaft and said magnetic members comprise disks disposed along said shaft at spaced intervals; each of said magnets comprising said disks have a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole spaced apart from said north pole along a direction substantially parallel to said shaft; said elements of said second member comprise disks interleaved between said magnetic disks of said first member, and said second member includes a housing that interconnects and supports said interleaved disks of said second member. 18. The magnetic levitation apparatus of claim 17 in which said magnetic disks comprising said first member and said disks comprising said second member are substantially parallel to each other.

Inventors: PELRINE RONALD E, PELRINE, RONALD, E.
Applicants: STANFORD RES INST INT, SRI INTERNATIONAL
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H02N15
IPC codes: F16C39, G01C9, H02N15