An energy conversion system includes a stationary structure and a rotatable structure configured to rotate relative to the stationary structure. The system includes at least one blade member mounted to and extending radially outward from the rotatable structure. The blade member is configured to interact with fluid currents to cause the rotatable structure to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system includes a first magnetic bearing component disposed on the rotatable structure and a second magnetic bearing component disposed on the stationary structure. The magnetic bearing components have an aligned position in which the components are axially aligned along the axis of rotation with respect to each other. Axial displacement of the magnetic bearing components from the aligned position generates a magnetic field between the components that provides an axially-directed restoring force between the rotatable structure and the stationary structure to reposition the components to the aligned position.

A computer controlled support and stabilization unit comprising of a vertical array of magnets for levitating a flywheel containing fluid, a computer controlled adjustable bearing support that can clamp and unclamp the rotating center shaft of a flywheel containing fluid between a plurality of bearings, a computer controlled adjustable magnetic lifting support for lifting the flywheel containing fluid to reduce the forces placed on the vertical array of magnets for levitating a flywheel containing fluid and reduce the forces placed on the plurality of bearings clamping the rotating center shaft of a flywheel containing fluid.

In rotating machine having a vertically oriented rotating shaft, a static magnetic force is used to simulate rotor weight and create the desired bearing preload. By installing a magnet the gravity based preload on the shaft journal bearings of a horizontal machine can be simulated for a vertical shaft. This can increase rotor stability, reduce the machine's vulnerability to hydraulically induced imbalance forces and give a more smooth transition through various shaft speeds.

A computer controlled support and stabilization unit comprising of a vertical array of magnets for levitating a flywheel containing fluid, a computer controlled adjustable bearing support means that can clamp and unclamp the rotating center shaft of a flywheel containing fluid between a plurality of bearings, a computer controlled adjustable magnetic lifting support means for lifting the flywheel containing fluid to reduce the forces placed on the vertical array of magnets for levitating a flywheel containing fluid and reduce the forces placed on the plurality of bearings clamping the rotating center shaft of a flywheel containing fluid.

A flywheel apparatus that magnetically unloads a top rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes a flywheel housing, a rotor with a vertical axis of rotation that includes a magnetic material, a magnet configured to apply a desired upward off-loading force along the vertical axis of rotation, an upper bearing connected to an upper shaft of the rotor, and a bearing housing disposed between the upper bearing and the flywheel housing that substantially prevents downward axial motion of the upper bearing. The magnet includes an electromagnet. A force sensor is used to measure a force on the upper bearing which is provided as input to a controller that updates the current to the electromagnet. The rotor is maintained in a fixed axial position and a spring disposed below a lower bearing absorbs axial dimension growth of the rotor.

A hybrid airfoil bearing for a shaft is provided and includes airfoil bearing components and passive magnetic bearing components. The airfoil bearing components include a top foil immediately surrounding the shaft and additional components. The passive magnetic bearing components are integrated into the shaft and the additional components of the airfoil bearing components to remove a static load of the shaft on the top foil.

A device for stirring a liquid or a granular material comprising a stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a stationary axle extending in an essentially vertical direction about which the stirring agitator is adapted to rotate, and a transfer arrangement for contactless transfer of rotation of the drive shaft to the stirring agitator. The device has a center axis around which the stirring agitator and the drive shaft are adapted to rotate, and means for generating a magnetic force exerting an upwardly directed force component on the stirring agitator. The means for generating a magnetic force comprises a first element arranged in a stirring agitator and a second element associated with the stationary axle. At least one of the first element and the second element comprises a permanent magnet. At least one of the first element and the second element is arranged such that the center axis extends through the first element and/or the second element.

The aim of the invention is to better compensate for specifiable forces on a magnetic mounting. This is achieved by a magnetic mounting device with a first magnet device (10), which is designed in an annular manner and which has a central axis, for retaining a shaft on the central axis in a rotatable manner by means of magnetic forces. The magnetic mounting device additionally has a second magnet device (12), which is independent of the first magnet device (10), for compensating for a specifiable force acting on the shaft. In this manner, the magnetic mounting device can compensate for the gravitational force or forces based on imbalances.

A device for stirring a liquid or a granular material comprising a stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a stationary axle extending in an essentially vertical direction about which the stirring agitator is adapted to rotate, and a transfer arrangement for contactless transfer of rotation of the drive shaft to the stirring agitator. The device has a centre axis around which the stirring agitator and the drive shaft are adapted to rotate, and means for generating a magnetic force exerting an upwardly directed force component on the stirring agitator. The means for generating a magnetic force comprises a first element arranged in a stirring agitator and a second element associated with the stationary axle. At least one of the first element and the second element comprises a permanent magnet. At least one of the first element and the second element is arranged such that the centre axis extends through the first element and/or the second element.

A device for stirring a liquid or a granular material comprising a stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a stationary axle extending in an essentially vertical direction about which the stirring agitator is adapted to rotate, and a transfer arrangement for contactless transfer of rotation of the drive shaft to the stirring agitator. The device has a center axis around which the stirring agitator and the drive shaft are adapted to rotate, and means for generating a magnetic force exerting an upwardly directed force component on the stirring agitator. The means for generating a magnetic force comprises a first element arranged in a stirring agitator and a second element associated with the stationary axle. At least one of the first element and the second element comprises a permanent magnet. At least one of the first element and the second element is arranged such that the center axis extends through the first element and/or the second element.