Pumping or mixing system using a levitating magnetic element, related system components, and related methods
First Claim
1. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
- a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a motive device for rotating said superconducting element.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for pumping or mixing a fluid using a levitating, rotating magnetic bearing and various other components for use in a pumping or mixing system are disclosed. The magnetic bearing is placed in a fluid-containing vessel in close proximity to a superconducting element. A separate cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element provides the necessary cooling to induce levitation in the magnetic bearing. The superconducting element may be thermally isolated, such that the bearing, the vessel, and any fluid contained therein are not exposed to the cold temperatures required to produce the desired superconductive effects and the resulting levitation. By using means external to the vessel to rotate and/or stabilize the magnetic bearing levitating in the fluid, including possibly rotating the superconducting element itself or moving it relative to the vessel, the desired effective pumping or mixing action may be provided.
262 Citations
121 Claims
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1. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a motive device for rotating said superconducting element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
said superconducting element is supported by the wall defining said chamber, and wherein said chamber is in turn supported from a stable mounting structure by a bearing permitting rotational motion, said first motive device rotating said wall and said superconducting element together;
said first motive device is a motor coupled to said wall by an endless belt, wherein said endless belt transfers the rotary motion produced by said motor to said wall to cause said superconducting element to rotate; and
wherein the second motive device includes a support structure for supporting the wall, the stable mounting structure, and the motor and a linear motion device for moving the support structure to and fro relative to the vessel.
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40. The pumping or mixing system of claim 1, wherein the pumping or mixing element is a magnetic bearing, impeller, rotor or other means for generating a pumping or mixing action in a fluid.
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41. A system for mixing a fluid, comprising:
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a vessel for holding the fluid;
a magnetic pumping or mixing element for positioning in said vessel;
a superconducting element for levitating and forming a magnetic coupling with said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
a housing defining a chamber around said superconducting element for thermally isolating said superconducting element from said vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element; and
a motive device for rotating said superconducting element. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel positioned on a stable support structure, comprising:
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a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
a wall defining a chamber for thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element in said chamber; and
a motive device for rotating said superconducting element and said wall together. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
a superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a motive device for rotating said magnetic pumping or mixing element, wherein at least a portion of said motive device is positioned adjacent to and concentric with the superconducting element. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
a levitation magnet corresponding in size and shape to the superconducting element;
at least two driven magnets having opposite polarities, said driven magnets being aligned with the corresponding driving magnets of said motive device, whereby said levitation magnet levitates said pumping or mixing element while said driven magnets transmit rotary motion to said pumping or mixing element from said driving magnets.
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71. The system for pumping or mixing a fluid according to claim 70, wherein said levitation magnet is annular.
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72. The system for pumping or mixing a fluid according to claim 62, wherein said magnetic pumping or mixing element carries at least one blade or vane.
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73. The system for pumping or mixing a fluid according to claim 62, wherein said chamber is evacuated or filled with an insulating material.
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74. The system for pumping or mixing a fluid according to claim 62, wherein the vessel is a pipe, the wall defining the chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element is positioned inside of said pipe and includes a thermally separated or isolated bore for receiving a driven shaft carrying a plurality of alternating polarity driving magnets forming a part of said motive device and magnetically coupling with a plurality of corresponding driven magnets in or on said magnetic pumping or mixing element.
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75. The pumping or mixing system of claim 62, wherein the pumping or mixing element is a magnetic bearing, impeller, rotor or other means for generating a pumping or mixing action in a fluid.
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76. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a first motive device for rotating said magnetic pumping or mixing element or said superconducting element;
a second motive device for moving the superconducting element relative to the vessel, whereby moving the superconducting element ensures that effective, non-localized pumping or mixing action is afforded by the levitating, rotating pumping or mixing element. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79)
said superconducting element is supported by the wall defining said chamber, and wherein said chamber is in turn supported from a stable mounting structure by a bearing permitting rotational motion, said first motive device rotating said wall and said superconducting element together;
said first motive device is a motor coupled to said wall by an endless belt, wherein said endless belt transfers the rotary motion produced by said motor to said wall to cause said superconducting element to rotate; and
wherein the second motive device includes a support structure for supporting the wall, the stable mounting structure, and the motor, and a linear motion device for moving the support structure to and fro relative to the vessel.
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79. The pumping or mixing system of claim 76, wherein the pumping or mixing element is a magnetic bearing, impeller, rotor or other means for generating a pumping or mixing action in a fluid.
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80. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a motive device for rotating one of said magnetic pumping or mixing element or said superconducting element, wherein said pumping or mixing element includes at least one levitation-assist chamber for holding a substance that is lighter than the fluid in said vessel, whereby the chamber assists in levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (81, 82, 83, 84)
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85. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:
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placing the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel;
levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a superconducting element positioned in an evacuated or insulated chamber adjacent to the vessel and thermally linked to a cooling source; and
rotating the superconducting element to induce rotation in the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (86, 87, 88, 89)
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90. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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placing a magnetic pumping or mixing element carrying first and second magnets having different polarities to create a non-symmetrical magnetic field in the vessel;
levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel using a superconducting element;
rotating the superconducting element to induce rotation in the pumping or mixing element.
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91. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:
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placing the magnetic pumping or mixing element in a vessel;
levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel using a superconducting element; and
rotating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a driving magnet positioned adjacent to and concentric with the superconducting element.
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92. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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placing the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel;
levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a superconducting element positioned in an evacuated or insulated chamber adjacent to the vessel and thermally linked to a cooling source;
rotating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel; and
moving the superconducting element relative to the vessel, whereby the rotating magnetic pumping or mixing element follows the movement of the superconducting element to ensure that effective, non-localized pumping or mixing action is provided. - View Dependent Claims (93)
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94. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a magnetic rotor or impeller for placement in the vessel, either before or after the fluid is introduced, said rotor or impeller including at least one pair of alternating polarity driven magnets;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic rotor or impeller and forming a magnetic coupling with said alternating polarity driven magnets;
a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber in which the superconducting element is positioned, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element; and
a motive device for rotating said superconducting element to induce rotation in the levitating impeller or rotor via the magnetic coupling. - View Dependent Claims (95)
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96. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a magnetic structure having an axially non-symmetric magnetic field for placement in the vessel;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic structure and forming a non-contact coupling with said levitating magnetic structure;
a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber for thermally separating or isolating the superconducting element from the vessel and a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element; and
a motive device for rotating said superconducting element, whereby the rotation of the superconducting element induces rotation in the magnetic structure which in turn pumps or mixes the fluid when present in the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (97)
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98. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, said system including at least one stable support structure, comprising:
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a magnetic pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel, said magnetic pumping or mixing element including at least two alternating polarity driven magnets creating an axially non-symmetric magnetic field;
at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic pumping or mixing element and forming a coupling therewith;
a cryostat including a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel, said cryostat rotatably supported by a bearing assembly supported by the stable support structure;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a motor coupled to said cryostat by an endless belt, wherein said endless belt transfers the rotary motion produced by said motor to cause said cryostat and hence said superconducting element to rotate. - View Dependent Claims (99, 100, 101)
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102. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel using a magnetic structure having an axially non-symmetric magnetic field for placement in the vessel, comprising:
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at least one superconducting element for levitating said magnetic structure and forming a non-contact coupling with said levitating magnetic structure;
a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber for thermally separating or isolating the superconducting element from the vessel and a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element; and
a motor coupled to said cryostat by an endless belt, wherein said endless belt transfers the rotary motion produced by said motor to rotate said cryostat and said superconducting element together, whereby the rotation of the superconducting element induces rotation in the magnetic structure which in turn pumps or mixes fluid when present in the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (103)
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104. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing element including at least two driven magnets;
a superconducting element for levitating the pumping or mixing element;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a rotary motive device including at least two driving magnets, each of which form a magnetic coupling with one of the driven magnets for transmitting torque to said magnetic pumping or mixing element, wherein at least a portion of said motive device is positioned adjacent to and concentric with the superconducting element. - View Dependent Claims (105)
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106. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a pumping or mixing element for placement in the vessel, said pumping or mixing element including at least two driven magnets;
a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber in which an annular superconducting element having a center opening is positioned, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a motor having a rotating shaft for rotating at least two driving magnets positioned in the center opening of the annular superconducting element and hence adjacent to and concentric therewith, with each of the driven magnets forming a magnetic coupling with one of the driven magnets for transmitting torque to said magnetic pumping or mixing element. - View Dependent Claims (107)
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108. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid using a pumping or mixing element for placement in a vessel, said pumping or mixing element including at least two driven magnets, said system comprising:
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a cryostat including an evacuated or insulated chamber in which an annular superconducting element having a center opening is positioned, said chamber thermally isolating the superconducting element from the vessel;
a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element;
a motor for rotating at least two driving magnets positioned in the center opening of the annular superconducting element and hence adjacent to and concentric therewith, with each of the driven magnets forming a magnetic coupling with one of the driven magnets for transmitting torque to said magnetic pumping or mixing element. - View Dependent Claims (109)
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110. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel, comprising the steps of:
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levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel using an annular superconducting element having a center opening;
rotating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a driving magnet structure positioned in the center opening of the superconducting element and magnetically coupled to the magnetic pumping or mixing element. - View Dependent Claims (111, 112, 113, 114)
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115. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising:
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placing the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel;
levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using a superconducting element; and
forming a magnetic coupling between the pumping or mixing element and the superconducting element;
rotating the superconducting element to induce rotation in the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel as a result of the magnetic coupling. - View Dependent Claims (116)
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117. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel using an annular superconducting element, including one cooled to at or below a transition temperature in accordance with a field cooling protocol, comprising the steps of:
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levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel using the superconducting element;
forming a magnetic coupling between a driving magnet structure positioned in a center opening of the annular superconducting element and the magnetic pumping or mixing element;
rotating the magnetic pumping or mixing element using the driving magnet structure.
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118. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic pumping or mixing element for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel using a superconducting element, including one cooled to at or below a transition temperature in accordance with a field cooling protocol, comprising:
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levitating the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel using the superconducting element;
forming a magnetic coupling between the superconducting element and the magnetic pumping or mixing element;
rotating the superconducting element.
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119. A system for intended use in pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel using a rotor or impeller capable of producing a non-symmetrical magnetic field, comprising:
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at least one superconducting element capable of being field cooled for levitating and coupling with the magnetic rotor or impeller;
a cryostat for receiving the superconducting element and capable of maintaining the superconducting element in a field cooled state while thermally isolating the superconducting element; and
a motor for rotating the superconducting element, whereby the magnetic rotor or impeller may be rotated in the vessel in a non-contact fashion as a result of the combined levitational and rotational forces supplied by the superconducting element when field cooled. - View Dependent Claims (120, 121)
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Specification