A magnetic levitation device as a toy or a bearing is provided. The magnetic levitation device has an inner component and an outer component. Multiple magnet rings are mounted on the inner component and multiple magnet rings are mounted on the outer component. The magnet rings on the inner component attract the magnet rings on the outer component. Multiple pulley assemblies are mounted on the outer component. An elastic component is connected with a center pulley. The two ropes are wrapped on the center pulley. One end of each one of the ropes is mounted on one of the fixing points that is connected to one of the magnet rings mounted on the outer component and another one end of the rope is mounted on a reactive pulley. With such structure, the outer component may levitate from the inner component and the pulley assemblies can balance the entire device.

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 magnetic bearing retains a rotatable shaft in a selected position by magnetic coupling between two circularmagnetic assemblies, one of which is connected to the shaft. Each magnetic coupling completes a magnetic circuit. Shaft rotation does not affect the magnetic circuit, but radial displacement of the shaft disrupts the magnetic circuit and increases magnetic reluctance. Increasing magnetic reluctance inhibits radial displacement. The shaft thereby supports a load while rotating freely, constrained to a selected position by forces of magnetic reluctance. A bearing may be employed to maintain gap distance between the magnetic assemblies.

Magnetic centring device for micromechanical applications, including a magnet and a magnetic flux conduction device arranged on the magnet, the magnetic flux conduction device including a central magnetic flux conduction disc made of a magnetic material having high magnetic permeability, and a peripheral area arranged around the central disc and separated from the central disc by a non-zero distance.

The present invention relates to a rotary assembly (1), in particular for a rheological measurement apparatus, comprising: a stator (3), a rotor (2) that can rotate with respect to the stator (3), the rotor (2) being axially retained by an axial retaining means (4) preventing the movement of the rotor (2) along the axis of rotation (A) thereof, the axial retaining means (4) comprising a flexible rod suitable for being attached to a frame (5) and which allows a radial movement of the rotor (2), a magnetic bearing comprising a rotor element (6) made of magnetic material mounted on the rotor (2) and a stator element (7) made of magnetic material mounted on the stator (3), at least one of the rotor and stator elements made of magnetic material being a spherical magnet,
wherein the rotary assembly (1) has a stable position in which the rotor (2) is aligned with the axis of rotation (A) thereof, and the elements made of magnetic material are facing each other along the axis of rotation (A) of the rotor and are separated from each other by a given distance (M), and wherein the elements made of magnetic material are configured to attract each other, so as to generate a return force which opposes the axial misalignment of said rotor (2).

The invention also relates to a rheological measurement apparatus comprising at least one such rotary assembly (1).

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.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to a rotary assembly (1), in particular for a rheological measurement apparatus, comprising: a stator (3), a rotor (2) that can rotate with respect to the stator (3), the rotor (2) being axially retained by an axial retaining means (4) preventing the movement of the rotor (2) along the axis of rotation (A) thereof, the axial retaining means (4) comprising a flexible rod suitable for being attached to a frame (5) and which allows a radial movement of the rotor (2), a magnetic bearing comprising a rotor element (6) made of magnetic material mounted on the rotor (2) and a stator element (7) made of magnetic material mounted on the stator (3), at least one of the rotor and stator elements made of magnetic material being a spherical magnet,
wherein the rotary assembly (1) has a stable position in which the rotor (2) is aligned with the axis of rotation (A) thereof, and the elements made of magnetic material are facing each other along the axis of rotation (A) of the rotor and are separated from each other by a given distance (M), and wherein the elements made of magnetic material are configured to attract each other, so as to generate a return force which opposes the axial misalignment of said rotor (2). The invention also relates to a rheological measurement apparatus comprising at least one such rotary assembly (1).

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.