Novel configurations of levitating passive magnetic bearing configurations are described. Such configurations can be used for the precise control of the magnitude and sign of the bearing stiffness, thereby facilitating the overall design of the system in ways that are not possible with conventional attractive or repelling bearing elements.

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.

A flywheel energy storage device includes the Halbach Motor/Generator with rolling biphasic coil control, continuously variable torque transfer via magnetic induction and a reluctance magnetic levitation system known as the Axial-Loading Magnetic Reluctance Device. Electric energy input turns the magnetically coupled rotors of the Halbach motor, and torque is transferred to a flywheel through a copper cylinder variably inserted between the Halbach magnet rotors. In idle mode, the energy is stored kinetically in the spinning flywheel, which is levitated by a permanent magnet bearing. Electric energy output is achieved by transferring torque from the flywheel through the copper cylinder to the rotors of the Halbach Generator by magnetic induction. Rolling biphasic motor control includes dividing Halbach motor coils into increments, then energizing groups of contiguous increments into virtual coils, which revolve in tandem with the magnet rotors so to achieve continuous and optimal torque.

A rotating mass energy store includes a rotor that contains conductors and a magnet arrangement. The rotating mass is symmetrical about axis of rotation and is hollow with a cavity, wherein an electrical stator is located in the cavity. All components of the energy store are enclosed in a housing that has a fitting/connection for a vacuum pump and or seal, and wire connection seals for conductive wire to pass through. The rotor is permanently magnetically levitated axially and radially. Electrical energy is exchanged and stored as kinetic energy in a rotating mass, otherwise known as a rotor.

A pump may include a stator, a rotor, and an impeller. The stator may include one or more electromagnets and one or more permanent magnets. The rotor may include an armature, one or more complementary permanent magnets, and a pull magnet configured to position the rotor in an axial direction. The rotor may be disposed within the stator. The complementary permanent magnets and the one or more permanent magnets of the stator may create magnetic bearings. The armature may be aligned with at least one of the electromagnets of the stator and configured to rotate the rotor with respect to the stator. The impeller may be coupled to the rotor.

A magnetic levitation bearing assembly, including: a magnetic levitation bearing, a shell, and a working clearance adjusting device; the magnetic levitation bearing includes a first iron core, a second iron core and a thrust disk; the working clearance adjusting device is arranged between a radial inner periphery of the shell and the thrust disk along the radial direction, and between the shell and the second iron core along the axial direction; an axial end of the working clearance adjusting device is abutted against the second iron core, a void gap is provided between the shell and the second iron core, an adjustment on the magnetic levitation bearing working clearance is made possible by altering the length between two axial ends of the working clearance adjusting device, such that the working clearance is consistent with a design value.

A timepiece oscillator includes a sprung balance assembly including a balance with a rim, which is returned by a balance spring and pivoted with respect to a structure, on a first side by a torsion wire, fixed by an anchoring element to the structure, and on a second side, opposite to the first side, by a contactless magnetic pivot. The balance includes a first pole embedded with the balance and the torsion wire, this first pole having a symmetry with respect to the axis of the sprung balance assembly, and cooperating with a second pole included in the structure, for the magnetic suspension of the first pole, and to exert on the distal end of the torsion wire, opposite to this anchoring element, a magnetic force for tensioning the torsion wire.

A motor including a first part having an outer peripheral portion and a second part having an inner peripheral portion facing the outer peripheral portion, the first part and the second part being configured to rotate relative to each other, includes a plurality of coils on one of the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion, and a plurality of magnets on the other of the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion at positions facing the plurality of coils, wherein the plurality of magnets includes a first magnet portion configured to apply a thrust to at least one of the plurality of coils in a rotation direction and a second magnet portion configured to apply a thrust to at least one of the plurality of coils in a direction intersecting the rotation direction, when an electric current is applied to the plurality of coils.

A magnetic bearing retains a rotatable shaft in a selected position by magnetic coupling between a circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays. Each magnetic coupling completes a magnetic circuit. The magnet arrays focus magnetic flux towards the circular magnet to facilitate magnetic coupling. Magnet arrays configured in Halbach series may be employed. Magnet arrays configured as electromagnets may also be employed. The shaft may be attached either to the circular magnet or the magnet arrays. Shaft rotation does not affect the magnetic circuit, but axial displacement of the shaft disrupts the magnetic circuit and increases magnetic reluctance. Increasing magnetic reluctance inhibits axial displacement. The shaft thereby supports a load while rotating freely, constrained to a selected position by forces of magnetic reluctance. A centering bearing may be employed to maintain gap distance between circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays.

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.