MAGNETIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM

• US 3,589,300 A
• Filed: 10/25/1968
• Issued: 06/29/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stefan L. Wipf
• Original Assignee: Stefan L. Wipf
• Inventors: Wipf, Stefan L.
• Application Number:
  US04/770,695
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• US Class Current: 104/281
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 13/04 Magnetic suspension or levitation for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 15/02 by Foucault currents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 505/903 Suspension, e.g. magnetic, electrodynamic

Abstract

An improved magnetic suspension system suitable for vehicles wherein a propelled magnet is both levitated and guided by repulsion from eddy currents that are induced in a nonferromagnetic and continuous conductor.

Claims

1. An improved magnetic suspension system for a moving vehicle comprising:

a. magnet means coupled to the moving vehicle and establishing a substantially constant magnetic flux field, and b. continuous nonferromagnetic conductor means adjacent said magnet means defining a track for the moving vehicle, c. said magnet means operable to induce eddy currents in said continuous conductor means that interact with said magnetic flux field to develop a force which repels such magnet means so that said magnet means and the coupled vehicle are lifted and maintained in a self-stabilizing equilibrium as said magnet means moves along said conductor means.

2. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 1 in which said magnet means moves at a predetermined relative velocity v so that the induced eddy currents i in said conductor means opposite said magnet means are substantially constant.

3. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 1 in which said conductor means is a longitudinally extending channel member generally enclosing said magnet means.

4. The impRoved magnetic suspension system of claim 1 in which said conductor means is a longitudinally extending tube enclosing said magnet means.

5. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 1 in which said conductor means is a longitudinally extending channel member comprising opposed and spaced-apart L-shaped nonferromagnetic members.

6. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 1 in which said conductor means includes a longitudinally extending nonferromagnetic sheet and longitudinally extending guidance means positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by said sheet.

7. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 6 in which said magnet means defines a plane generally parallel with said plane defined by said sheet, said guidance means intersecting the plane defined by said magnet means.

8. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 6 in which said magnet means defines a plane generally parallel with said plane defined by said sheet, said guidance means terminating before intersecting the plane defined by said magnet means.

9. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 6 in which said longitudinally extending guidance means is spaced from and along said sheet.

10. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 6 in which said guidance means is continuous and nonferromagnetic.

11. The improved magnetic suspension system of claim 1 in which said magnet means comprises a superconducting magnet.