High temperature superconducting bearing and flywheel system and method

Abstract

A bearing and flywheel system can include a first bearing portion having an opening therethrough with a first dimension and a central longitudinal axis, a second bearing portion having a second dimension that is smaller than the first dimension, and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion. The bearing portions can include a high temperature superconductor and / or a magnet. The second bearing portion can be disposed at least partially within the opening through the first bearing portion. A gap can exist between an outer surface of the second bearing portion and an inner surface of the first bearing portion. The second bearing portion can be configured to rotate relative to the first bearing portion.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application is a PCT of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 348,716, filed June 15, 2021, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 039,454, filed June 15, 2020. The entire contents of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Statement regarding federally funded research or development

[0004] not applicable.

[0005] Reference Appendix

[0006] not applicable. Technical Field

[0007] The present invention disclosed and taught herein relates generally to bearing systems, and more specifically to bearing and flywheel systems including high-temperature superconductors and their applications. Background Technology

[0008] Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) are a powerful alternative technology that is inexpensive, durable, and non-toxic, and has been around for over 100 years. FESS can withstand virtually unlimited charge / discharge cycles, has high power / energy density, and can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions, including high temperatures. The main obstacles to large-scale utilization can be broadly categorized into two types: flywheel strength and energy loss.

[0009] The flywheel stores kinetic energy in the rotational inertia of a large steel or composite cylinder, using an electric motor / generator system to accelerate and decelerate it. The stored energy is proportional to the mass, the square of the radius, and the square of the angular velocity.

[0010]

[0011] Among them, E k Let I be the rotational kinetic energy, I be the moment of inertia, and ω be the angular velocity.

[0012] For a flywheel composed of a thin disc, the moment of inertia is:

[0013]

[0014] Where I is the moment of inertia, m is the mass, and r is the distance between the axis and the rotating mass.

[0015] To utilize the ω-square term, the flywheel should rotate as fast as possible. This means that the factors determining the energy density of the system are the strength and stiffness of the flywheel material used.

[0016]

[0017] Where e is the energy density, KE is the kinetic energy of the flywheel, m is the mass of the flywheel, and σ and ρ are the tensile strength and density of the rotor material, respectively. Composite flywheels have high tensile strength and high energy density (comparable to lithium-ion batteries in some cases), while steel flywheels have lower strength but are much cheaper, making them a more important indicator for practical-scale storage. However, if steel flywheels fail, they typically shatter into several large pieces, carrying a significant amount of energy, which can be dangerous.

[0018] There are generally two options for flywheel materials: high-tensile-strength composite materials or high-density steel. High-tensile-strength composite materials are relatively expensive, while high-density steel is relatively cheaper, but has lower energy density and suffers from the aforementioned failure issues.

[0019] Losses in flywheel energy storage systems can generally be categorized into two types: bearing losses and motor (motor / generator) losses. Traditional bearing systems typically consist of various components mechanically connected to each other, such as roller bearings set in raceways. Such systems are subject to various limitations, including those caused by friction. Lubricants, such as greases or oils, can be used to mitigate unwanted frictional effects, such as heat generation, but friction still renders traditional systems insufficient for certain applications. Therefore, many traditional moving systems are limited by friction, such as friction between the atmosphere and objects passing through it, or friction within the object itself, such as friction between bearings, gears, or other components. Examples of traditional applications limited by friction practically include any machinery with moving parts, such as wheels rotating around an axis, blades rotating around a support, generators, turbines, pulleys, flywheel energy storage systems, etc.

[0020] Magnetic levitation can be used to avoid bearing losses. However, flywheels using electromagnetic bearings still lose energy due to their inherent instability. Because of Earnshaw's theorem, a constant input power can be used to actively stabilize bearings using magnets; Earnshaw's theorem essentially states that a collection of magnets cannot generally be in a stable equilibrium without a source. Therefore, an external stabilizing force is required. In most commercial systems, actively controlled electromagnet-based systems are used to provide this external stabilization, at the cost of increased energy consumption and complexity.

[0021] High-temperature superconducting (HTS) bearings address this problem by providing passive stabilization and levitation. HTS materials allow for passively stable levitation due to two unique characteristics: the first is the Meissner effect, where the superconductor displaces any magnetic field when cooled below its critical temperature; the second is flux-pinning, where magnetic flux lines are confined within the material, providing a restoring force that returns the magnet to a fixed relative orientation with respect to the superconductor.

[0022] However, at least some currently available HTS bearings have several problems. The first problem is known as flux-creep: when a gradient exists in the magnetic field, the thermally activated "creep" of the magnetic flux between pinned positions accelerates until the gradient disappears. In practice, in bearings that rely on HTS material for levitation, this means the system can remain operational for a limited time before requiring warming and cooling. This time is shortened when the HTS must provide a significant lifting force. A second problem with at least some conventional HTS bearings is the limited load-bearing capacity due to the arrangement of the HTS and magnets, relying only partially on permanent magnets for lifting, with the remainder depending on the HTS.

[0023] Because of these issues, a relatively large amount of HTS (Heated Stratified Transmission System) is typically required, which necessitates significant cooling power, thus making the disadvantages of passive stabilization outweigh the advantages. There is a need in the art for improved bearing and flywheel systems and methods. Summary of the Invention

[0024] This disclosure provides a superconductor-magnet bearing system that may include first and second bearing portions movably connected to each other. One of the first and second portions may be at least partially composed of one or more high-temperature superconductor (“HTS”) materials. The other of the first and second portions may be at least partially composed of one or more magnets or other magnetic materials. The HTS bearing portion, or the bearing portion including HTS, may also include one or more magnets or other magnetic materials.

[0025] A superconductor-magnet bearing system may include a first bearing portion coupled to a support member, which may have external dimensions and an external surface. The first bearing portion may be, but is not necessarily, fixed relative to the support member. The first bearing portion may include an opening and an internal surface, for example, an opening larger than the external dimensions of a second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially constructed of a high-temperature superconductor, while the other may be at least partially constructed of a magnet or other magnetic material. The second bearing portion may be at least partially disposed within the opening of the first bearing portion. A gap may exist between the surfaces of the first and second bearing portions.

[0026] The system may include a cooling system having a cooling assembly coupled to an HTS bearing portion. The cooling assembly may include a cryostat, and the bearing portion may be at least partially disposed within the cryostat. At least a portion of the cooling assembly may be disposed in a gap or other space between a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion. The cooling system may include an interface portion configured for thermal communication, which may be configured to communicate with one or more bearing portions. Two or more bearing portions may be movably coupled to each other, which may include flux pinning and / or one or more other coupling methods. One bearing portion may be adapted to rotate about another bearing portion. The gap or other space between the bearing portions may be at least substantially uniform, and the first and second bearing portions may be adjusted such that the gap remains at least substantially uniform during movement of one or more bearing portions. At least one bearing portion may include multiple sections, segments, pieces, or other bearing portions.

[0027] An HTS bearing portion may include one or more magnets, and among one or more other portions, a magnet bearing portion may include one or more magnets. A system may include one or more active or passive control systems, sensing systems, cooling systems, or other systems. A method may include one or more methods for forming, assembling, manufacturing, using, implementing, and / or operating one or more superconductor-magnet bearing systems or any portions thereof. A method may include cooling portions of one or more superconductor-magnet bearing systems or any of them. A method may include coupling one or more superconductor-magnet bearing portions in a stable relationship and configuring at least one bearing portion to support a load. A method may include forming a bearing portion from multiple magnetic rings or other annular portions and coupling the bearing portion to an HTS bearing portion. A method may include controlling the relationship between two or more bearing portions using a magnetic control system, which may include an electromagnetic control system.

[0028] In at least one embodiment, the bearing and flywheel system may include: a first bearing portion having an opening of a first size and a central longitudinal axis passing through the first bearing portion; a second bearing portion having a second size, the second size being smaller than the first size; and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially composed of a high-temperature superconductor and a first magnet. The other of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially composed of a second magnet and a third magnet. The second bearing portion may be at least partially disposed within the opening passing through the first bearing portion. A gap may exist between the outer surface of the second bearing portion and the inner surface of the first bearing portion. The second bearing portion may be configured to rotate relative to the first bearing portion about the central longitudinal axis of the first bearing portion.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, the first bearing portion may be configured to repel the second bearing portion, such that the second bearing portion is biased toward a central longitudinal axis. For example, the HTS may be configured to repel the second magnet, such that the second bearing portion is biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet may be configured to repel the third magnet, and the second bearing portion may be biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet can be configured to at least partially impede longitudinal and / or radial movement of the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet can have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, the first magnet and the third magnet may be configured to at least partially impede longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet and the third magnet may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and angled relative to a central longitudinal axis.

[0032] In at least one embodiment, the system may further include a fourth magnet coupled to one of the first and second bearing portions and a fifth magnet coupled to the other of the first and second bearing portions. The fourth and fifth magnets may be configured to repel each other, thereby at least partially preventing longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion relative to the first bearing portion. The fourth and fifth magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and angled relative to a central longitudinal axis.

[0033] For example, the first and third magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged at a first angle relative to the central longitudinal axis, and the fourth and fifth magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged at a second angle relative to the central longitudinal axis. The first and second angles may be equal and / or opposite. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles are complementary. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles are different.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, at least one of the first, second, and third magnets may be a toroidal magnet. The toroidal magnet may include multiple magnet segments.

[0035] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a laminar flywheel, comprising a sheet, ring, or other layer of a first material and a sheet, ring, or other layer of a second material. In at least one embodiment, these layers alternate such that the first and second material layers are coupled together, and one of the second material layers is disposed between adjacent first material layers. In at least one embodiment, the first material layer may be configured such that its failure is independent of the failure of any other first material layer. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate in concentric rings. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate along a longitudinal axis.

[0036] In at least one embodiment, the second material has a higher tensile strength than the first material. In at least one embodiment, the second material can be configured to reinforce and / or prevent failure of the first material.

[0037] In at least one embodiment, the second material may be a phase change material. For example, the second material may have a higher tensile strength in the first phase than the first material, and a lower tensile strength in the second phase than the first material. In at least one embodiment, the second material may be configured to selectively separate the first material layers from each other and / or from the second bearing portion.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, the system may include a shaft coupled between or otherwise connected to the flywheel and the second bearing portion, and a phase change material coupled between the flywheel and the shaft. The phase change material may be configured to selectively detach the flywheel from the shaft.

[0039] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a porous flywheel, comprising a porous flywheel body having a radially outer surface and an internal pore matrix. In at least one embodiment, an annular disk may be coupled to the radially outer surface of the flywheel body. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of structural support members may be coupled to the flywheel body. The structural support members may be oriented radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body. In at least one embodiment, a mass distribution material may be sealed within the pore matrix of the flywheel body.

[0040] In at least one embodiment, the system may further include a flywheel shaft connected between the flywheel and the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the shaft may be divided into a first shaft portion having a fourth magnet and a second shaft portion having a fifth magnet. In at least one embodiment, the fourth magnet may be disposed adjacent to the first end of the flywheel. In at least one embodiment, the fifth magnet may be disposed adjacent to the second end of the flywheel. In at least one embodiment, the fourth and fifth magnets may attract each other, thereby being configured to connect the flywheel to the flywheel shaft. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 An isometric view of one embodiment of a bearing system according to the present invention is shown.

[0042] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of the embodiment.

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 1-2 A top view of the cross-section of the embodiment.

[0044] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A detailed diagram of a portion of it.

[0045] Figure 5 Based on this disclosure Figure 1-4 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of another arrangement among the many arrangements in the Chinese embodiment.

[0046] Figure 6 A side view schematic diagram of another embodiment of the bearing system according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Figure 6A This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of a bearing system with a control system according to the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bearing system with a cooling system according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a bearing system with a cooling system according to this disclosure is shown.

[0050] Figure 9 An isometric view of one embodiment of a wheel assembly according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0051] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A side view of an embodiment.

[0052] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 Another side view of the embodiment is shown in the diagram.

[0053] Figure 12 yes Figure 9-11 A top cross-sectional view of an embodiment.

[0054] Figure 13 An isometric view of one embodiment of a transportation system according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0055] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 A schematic end view of an embodiment.

[0056] Figure 15 yes Figure 13-14 A side view of an embodiment.

[0057] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A schematic detailed view of a portion of the image.

[0058] Figure 17 An isometric view of one embodiment of a turbine system according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0059] Figure 18 yes Figure 17 A schematic end view of an embodiment.

[0060] Figure 19 yes Figure 17-18 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an embodiment.

[0061] Figure 20 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a bearing system with a cooling system according to the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 21 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the bearing and flywheel system according to the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 22 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a layered flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0064] Figure 23 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the layered flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0065] Figure 24 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of the layered flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0066] Figure 25 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a porous flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 26 This is a schematic top view of another embodiment of the porous flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0068] Figure 27 yes Figure 26 A schematic side view of a partial cross-section of the flywheel assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0069] The accompanying drawings and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not intended to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the drawings and written description provided are intended to teach those skilled in the art to make and use the patent-seeking invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that not all features of the commercial embodiments of this disclosure are described or shown for clarity and understanding purposes. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the development of actual commercial embodiments incorporating various aspects of this disclosure will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goals for the commercial embodiments. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and may not be limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, governmental-related, and other constraints that may vary depending on the specific implementation, location, and time. While the developer's effort may be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such effort will be a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure. It must be understood that the invention disclosed and taught herein is susceptible to many different modifications and alternatives. Finally, the use of singular terms, such as, but not limited to, "a," is not intended to limit the number of items. Furthermore, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “downward,” “upward,” “side,” etc., in the written description is for clarity when specifically referring to the accompanying drawings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. When referring to these elements generically, alphanumeric characters are used. Moreover, such designations do not limit the number of elements that can be used for that function. Identifiers, such as, but not limited to, “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are also used in the written description for clarity and are not intended to be restrictive unless otherwise expressly stated. For example, a “first” bearing portion may be a rotor, while a “second” bearing portion may be a stator, and vice versa, depending on, for example, the embodiments of this disclosure and / or how any such bearing portion is limited in the claims.

[0070] The terms “connection,” “connected,” “connected to,” “connector,” and similar terms are used extensively herein and may include any method or means for associating one or more components together directly or indirectly through intermediate elements by means of fixing, binding, joining, fastening, attaching, engaging, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise (e.g., mechanical, magnetic, electrical, chemical, operable, etc.), and may further include, but are not limited to, integrally forming one functional component with another functional component in an integral manner. Connections can occur in any direction, including directions of rotation. The terms “comprising” and “e.g.” are illustrative and not limiting. Unless otherwise stated, the term “may” as used herein means “may, but not necessarily.” Each structure, component, and other item included herein will have certain inherent physical characteristics, such as dimensions (e.g., height, width, length, diameter), mass, weight, imaginary axis, cross-section, etc., when present in one or more physical embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that these characteristics are present, and these items exist in one or more environments, whether explicitly described or mentioned herein. The terms “reduced friction,” “low friction,” and similar terms used herein generally refer to less friction exhibited or experienced than conventional systems for similar applications (such as roller bearings), such as systems that do not include high-temperature superconductor (“HTS”) materials.

[0071] This disclosure provides a bearing system with reduced friction for supporting low-friction movement of one or more components, such as a flywheel. The bearing system may include one or more bearing portions, and in at least one embodiment, the one or more bearing portions may include one or more bearing sections. One bearing portion may be movable relative to another bearing portion, such as by rotating about or relative to another bearing portion. At least one bearing portion may support a load, and at least one bearing portion may include or otherwise be coupled to one or more supports. In at least one embodiment, the bearing sections may be oriented at various angles relative to adjacent sections (one or more). At least one bearing system according to this disclosure can support low-friction movement in a wide variety of applications, such as in flywheel assemblies.

[0072] A superconductor-magnet bearing system may include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially composed of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS), while the other may be at least partially composed of a magnet. The first bearing portion may be at least partially disposed within an opening of the second bearing portion, and a gap may exist between the first and second portions. The magnetic bearing portion may include a plurality of rings disposed adjacent to each other. The HTS bearing portion may include a magnet. The bearing portions may be biased to align with each other. One bearing portion may rotate relative to the other bearing portion.

[0073] In at least one embodiment, the bearing and flywheel system may include: a first bearing portion having an opening of a first size and a central longitudinal axis passing through it; a second bearing portion having a second size, the second size being smaller than the first size; and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion. The bearing portion may be constructed of an HTS and / or a magnet. The second bearing portion may be at least partially disposed within the opening passing through the first bearing portion. A gap may exist between the outer surface of the second bearing portion and the inner surface of the first bearing portion. The second bearing portion may be configured to rotate relative to the first bearing portion about the central longitudinal axis (and / or another axis) of the first bearing portion. In such an embodiment (which is only one of many embodiments), the second bearing portion may be a rotor and the first bearing portion may be a stator. However, this is not necessarily the case; in at least one embodiment, the second bearing portion may be a stator and the first bearing portion may be a rotor.

[0074] In at least one embodiment, the first bearing portion can be configured to repel the second bearing portion, such that the second bearing portion is biased toward a central longitudinal axis. For example, the HTS can be configured to repel the second magnet, such that the second bearing portion is biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet can be configured to repel the third magnet, such that the second bearing portion is biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis.

[0075] In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet and / or the first magnet and the third magnet can be configured to at least partially impede longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet and / or the first magnet and the third magnet can have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

[0076] In at least one embodiment, the system may further include a fourth magnet coupled to one of the first and second bearing portions and a fifth magnet coupled to the other of the first and second bearing portions. The fourth and fifth magnets may be configured to repel each other, thereby at least partially preventing longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion relative to the first bearing portion. The fourth and fifth magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and angled relative to a central longitudinal axis. For example, the first and third magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and angled relative to a central longitudinal axis, and the fourth and fifth magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and angled relative to a central longitudinal axis. Depending on the needs or desires of a particular physical embodiment of this disclosure, any of these magnets may be integral or may comprise two or more magnet portions.

[0077] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a layered flywheel, comprising one or more sheets, rings, or other layers of a first material and one or more sheets, rings, or other layers of a second material. In at least one embodiment, these layers alternate such that the first material layers and the second material layers are coupled together, which may include one of the second material layers disposed between adjacent first material layers (i.e., if two or more first material layers are present). In at least one embodiment, the first material layers may be configured such that their failure is independent of the failure of any other first material layer. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate in concentric rings. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate along a longitudinal axis.

[0078] In at least one embodiment, the second material may be a phase change material. For example, the second material may have a higher tensile strength in the first phase than the first material, and a lower tensile strength in the second phase than the first material. In at least one embodiment, the second material may be configured to selectively separate the first material layers from each other and / or from the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a shaft connecting the flywheel and the second bearing portion and a phase change material connecting the flywheel and the shaft. The phase change material may be configured to selectively separate the flywheel from the shaft.

[0079] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a porous flywheel, comprising a porous flywheel body having a radially outer surface and an internal pore matrix. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc or other blocking element, such as a strip or wall, may be coupled to the radially outer surface of the flywheel body to seal the pores. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of structural support members may be coupled to the flywheel body. The structural support members may be oriented radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body. In at least one embodiment, a mass distribution material may be sealed within the pore matrix of the flywheel body.

[0080] In at least one embodiment, the system may include a flywheel shaft, which may include one or more shaft portions and may be coupled to or as part of one or more bearings or bearing portions. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel shaft may be coupled between a flywheel and a second bearing portion or otherwise coupled to a flywheel and a second bearing portion, such as a rotor bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the shaft may include a first shaft portion having one or more magnets and a second shaft portion having one or more magnets. In at least one embodiment, one magnet may be disposed adjacent to a first end of the flywheel, and another magnet may be disposed adjacent to a second end of the flywheel. The magnets may attract each other and may be configured to couple the flywheel to the flywheel shaft by disposing or clamping at least a portion of the flywheel between the magnets.

[0081] Figure 1 An isometric view of one embodiment of a bearing system according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of the embodiment. Figure 3 yes Figure 1-2 A top cross-sectional view of an embodiment. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A detailed diagram of a portion of it. Figure 5 Based on this disclosure Figure 1-4 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of another arrangement among the many arrangements in the embodiments. Figure 6 A side view schematic diagram of another embodiment of the bearing system according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6A This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of a bearing system with a control system according to the present disclosure. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bearing system with a cooling system according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a bearing system with a cooling system according to this disclosure is shown. These will be described in conjunction with each other. Figure 1-8 .

[0082] The bearing system 100 may include multiple bearing portions for supporting movement relative to each other, such as a first bearing portion 102 and a second bearing portion 104. For convenience and brevity, the first bearing portion 102, the second bearing portion 104, and one or more other bearing portions may be referred to herein as "bearing portions" or simply "parts," followed by the corresponding reference numeral (e.g., "part 102"). Bearing portions 102, 104 may be rotatably coupled to each other to allow one portion to rotate relative to the other, as further described below. The first and second portions 102, 104 may be cylindrical, and may include having a circular cross-sectional shape or other cross-sectional shapes, such as a polyhedral shape. One or more of the first and second portions 102, 104 may, but are not required to, be annular, ring-shaped, or tubular. For example, for illustrative purposes, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, the first and second portions 102, 104 may each have openings 106, 108 through them, such as a central opening or hole. However, this is not mandatory; for example, portion 102 does not need to have an opening through it. Instead, portion 102 may have a solid cross-section, which may include a disc shape or a hockey puck shape. The first and second portions 102, 104 may be arranged about an axis A, such as a central longitudinal axis or other axis, which can be any axis required for a particular application, including an axis about which one or more bearing portions can rotate. Bearing portion 104 may have an inner surface and an outer surface, such as an inner surface 104A and an outer surface 104B. Similarly, portion 102 may have an inner surface and an outer surface (e.g., in an embodiment where portion 102 is annular), such as inner surface 102A (see...). Figure 2 ) and outer surface 102B.

[0083] System 100 may include one or more supports 110 for retaining or supporting one or more of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104. For example, a bearing portion may be coupled to a support for independently or in conjunction with one or more other components, at least partially supporting the corresponding bearing portion. In at least one embodiment (but only one of many embodiments), support 110 may be a shaft, rod, tube, or other support (e.g., as described elsewhere herein), such as an axle, and bearing portion 102 may be coupled to this support. Portion 102 may be coupled to one or more supports, such as support 110, in any manner required for a particular application, and may, but is not required to, include the use of one or more couplings, such as fasteners, adhesives, or other couplings for holding one or more components in place. Alternatively or commonly, portion 102 may be coupled to support 110 without the use of fasteners, including integrally or partially press-fitted to or integrally formed with support 110. Continuing with reference to... Figure 1-8 Especially referring to Figure 2-3 System 100 may include a housing 112 for at least partially covering or supporting one or more bearing portions. For example, housing 112 may be coupled to an outer portion of bearing portion 104, which may include at least a portion of an outer surface 104B. In at least one embodiment, such as one or more embodiments described further in detail below, housing 112 may be or may include one or more resilient members or other components for communicating or cooperating with other parts of a motion system, such as a vehicle or transportation system. For example, in at least one embodiment (but only one of many embodiments), bearing system 100 may be at least part of a wheel assembly, wherein bearing portion 104 may be coupled to a wheel (including forming a portion of the wheel), and housing 112 may be or may include a tire coupled to the wheel. In such embodiments, bearing portion 104 and / or housing 112 may be configured to communicate with a supporting surface (e.g., a road or track) for movement thereal. For example, the outer surface 104B of the bearing portion 104 (and the housing 112, if present) may include grooves or notches for movement along the track (although this is not mandatory), and optionally, these parts may be flat, curved, wavy, or any other shape required for a particular application.

[0084] For example, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, for illustrative purposes, bearing portions 102, 104 may, but are not necessarily, be annular, and each bearing portion may consist of a single body. However, this is not necessarily the case; alternatively, one or more bearing portions 102, 104 may include one or more sub-portions, such as segments, sections, or pieces, arranged relative to each other to form or approximate annular or similar shapes (see [link to documentation]). Figure 6For example, bearing portion 102 may include multiple sub-portions 114A, 114B, 114C (...114n) (collectively referred to as sub-portions 114), and bearing portion 104 may include multiple sub-portions 116A, 116B, 116C (...116n) (collectively referred to as sub-portions 116). Bearing portions 102 and 104 may include any number of sub-portions 114 and 116, such as two, three, or up to several dozen or more, if composed of sub-portions according to a particular embodiment. The number of sub-portions, if present, may depend on any number of specific implementation factors, such as the availability of radially magnetized annular rings, a cost / benefit comparison of using a monolithic annular ring versus using two or more annular segments or other portions, or other considerations. For example, a radially magnetized monolithic ring may be time-consuming and / or expensive, and in at least one embodiment, it may be easier and / or cheaper to approach a radially magnetized annular ring by using approximately radially magnetized arcuate segments or by using multiple flat or other shaped magnets arranged in a near-circular or annular polyhedral shape. These segments or other portions may be magnetized, for example, in the same radial direction, to form or approximately form one or more rings (e.g., multiple rings may include system 120 or bearing portions 102, 104). Furthermore, the sub-parts may be coupled to each other in any way required for a particular application, such as by being adjacent to each other (with or without gaps or other materials), which may, but does not necessarily, involve using one or more couplings 118A, 118B, 118C (collectively, couplings 118) to couple one or more sub-parts to each other. Couplings 118 may be or may include any type of coupling required for a particular application and may be coupled to two or more sub-parts in any way, for example, individually or in combination to the interior, exterior, or sides of the sub-parts. In at least one embodiment (but only one of many embodiments), couplings 118 may include a substrate or underlayer coupled along one or more sides of multiple adjacent sub-parts, which may include, but does not necessarily include, substrates coupled to the interior and exterior portions or surfaces of these sub-parts. Alternatively or collectively, couplings 118 may include one or more couplings or portions thereof disposed between adjacent segments (e.g., couplings 118C).

[0085] Continue to refer to Figure 1-8The composition and connection of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 will now be described in more detail. Generally, one of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 may be at least partially composed of a superconductor, such as a high-temperature superconductor (also known as "HTS" or "high Tc") material, while the other of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 may be at least partially composed of a magnetizing material or a magnet. For example, the inner bearing portion 102 may include one or more HTS portions, and the outer bearing portion 104 may include one or more magnets. Again, for example, the inner bearing portion 102 may include one or more magnets, and the outer bearing portion 104 may include one or more HTS portions. The terms "internal" and "external" as used herein refer to one or more exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings (which are some of many exemplary embodiments) and are intended for convenience and explanation, not for limitation. For example, in Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, bearing portion 102 may be referred to as an internal portion, and bearing portion 104 may be referred to as an external portion. Similarly, as described elsewhere herein, some bearing portions (which may include any bearing portion) may include HTS material, while other bearing portions (which may include any other bearing portion) may include one or more magnets (or magnetic materials); therefore, for convenience and clarity, these portions may be referred to herein as “HTS bearing portions” and “magnetic (or magnetic) bearing portions,” respectively. An HTS bearing portion may be uniformly formed from a single HTS material, but this is not mandatory, and alternatively may be formed from a combination of multiple HTS materials and / or a combination with one or more non-HTS materials. Similarly, a magnetic bearing portion may be uniformly formed from a single magnetic material, but this is not mandatory, and alternatively may be formed from a combination of one or more magnetic materials and / or a combination with one or more non-magnetic materials. A magnetic bearing portion may, for example, be formed from one or more permanent magnets (e.g., rare-earth magnets, other ferromagnetic materials, etc.), but this is not mandatory, and alternatively may be or may include one or more electromagnets separate from or combined with permanent magnets.

[0086] System 100 may include bearing portions (e.g., first and second bearing portions 102, 104) comprising any type of HTS material suitable for a particular application, whether now known or to be developed in the future. For example, it is foreseeable that materials capable of exhibiting superconductivity at higher transition temperatures (relative to currently known materials) may become known in the future, and one or more of these may be suitable for at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Of course, materials exhibiting superconductivity at or near room temperature or atmospheric temperature (e.g., in the range of about 0°F to about 100°F) may be used in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, taking into account one or more other implementation-specific factors, such as mechanical properties or other factors that will be understood by those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure, for example, materials exhibiting superconductivity at or near room temperature or atmospheric temperature (e.g., in the range of about 0°F to about 100°F). Examples of known HTS materials suitable for one or more embodiments of this disclosure include, but are not limited to, type II superconductors such as copper oxide superconductors, including HgBa2Ca2Cu3O. x Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O 10 (BSCCO) and YBa2Cu3O (7-x) (Yttrium-barium-copper oxide or YBCO); and iron-based superconductors, including SmFeAs(O,F), CeFeAs(O,F) and LaFeAs(O,F). For example, YBCO can be considered one of the most widely available and commonly used HTS materials. However, at least one embodiment of this disclosure may include any superconductor with flux pinning properties as described elsewhere herein. For example, a particular type of YBCO, referred to as “melt texture” YBCO, can be used in some applications of the invention because it allows the domains of the material to be oriented in the same direction, which in some cases allows for relatively high levitation forces (relative to some other HTS materials). In this process, the YBCO is remelted after preparation, and “seed” material is placed on it to guide the remaining material (e.g., MgO or SmFeAs(O,F) can be used). 123 (Single crystals). Examples of methods for synthesizing melt-textured YBCO can be found in available literature (see, for example, "Batch-processing and bonding of melt-textured applications YBCO for motors" by Litzkendorf et al., 5107, 1–4 (1998)). In short, commercially available pre-reacted YBa2Cu3O containing excess Y2O3 can be used. 7-xThese materials can be homogeneously mixed, for example, uniaxially pressed into cylindrical blocks. These blocks can be heated in a furnace using melt growth processes (e.g., using “seed” materials as described above), slowly cooled, and finally oxidized in a separate process. Alternatively, superconductors can be formed into blocks of different shapes, such as bars or other blocks with cross-sectional shapes such as squares, rectangles, ellipses, or elongated rectangles. The lifetime of HTS depends on its environment, and one or more conditions can cause HTS to degrade over time. For example, YBCO can react with water, so humidity in the atmosphere or other environments can cause YBCO to degrade, for example, when the humidity is greater than 40% (see, for example, Roa, JJ et al., “Surface & Coatings Technology Corrosion induced degradation of textured YBCO under operation in high humidity conditions”, Surface & Coatings Technology 206, 4256–4261 (2012)). However, even in this case, the surface of the HTS block may degrade before the internal parts, which could lead to the formation of a barrier that can slow down the degradation of the remaining material. For example, in applications such as levitation, the properties of the block material may be more important than the surface, although this is not always the case. In one study, YBCO exposed to water was observed to lose approximately 12.5% ​​of its levitation force 20 hours after synthesis, but subsequently remained constant (see Sriram, MA, Ponce, L. & Murr, LE, “Modeling superconductor degradation using magnetic levitation”, Applied Physics Letters 58, 1208–1210 (1991)). Furthermore, in this study, no observable degradation was found in YBCO exposed to a humid environment for more than a month (ibid.). To help ensure the long-term effectiveness of the material, it can be protected from the effects of air and moisture, as described in further detail below. For example, HTS materials degrade when oxygen diffuses out of the material. In other words, the oxygen content in HTS materials is crucial to superconductivity, so the superconductivity of the material decreases over time as oxygen diffuses out. When the material is heated to a relatively high temperature, oxygen can diffuse out more quickly.When the material is at relatively low temperatures (as is the case with YBCO where superconductivity is required), oxygen diffusion within the material can be at least partially suppressed (see, for example, Truchly, M et al., “Studies of YBa₂Cu₃O₆⁺x degradation and surface conductivity properties by Scanning Spreading Resistance Microscopy”). Therefore, for example, in an environment without atmosphere (e.g., pure nitrogen or vacuum) and at relatively very low temperatures (e.g., liquid nitrogen temperature), HTS degradation can be at least partially reduced. In the future, materials that are not subject to (or at least less subject to) one or more of the above limitations may be discovered. The HTS materials mentioned herein, and other HTS materials, can be used alone or in combination, depending on the specific application of this disclosure, whether in combination with each other or with one or more other materials.

[0087] Furthermore, system 100 may include bearing portions (e.g., first and second bearing portions 102, 104) comprising any type of magnet (e.g., magnetic or magnetizing material) suitable for a particular application, whether now known or developed in the future. Examples of known magnets suitable for one or more embodiments of this disclosure include, but are not limited to, Nd₂Fe. 14 B (neodymium magnet) and SmCo5 (samarium-cobalt alloy magnet). Other examples may include magnets made of alloys of iron with nickel, cobalt, and / or aluminum, or magnets made of other materials such as titanium, copper, and / or niobium. Optionally or commonly, one or more electromagnets may be used. In embodiments where the magnetic bearing portion is annular or similar in shape (which may be any of bearing portions 102, 104, as explained in further detail elsewhere herein), the bearing portion (or one or more rings thereof) may be continuous, or alternatively may include multiple segments, arcs, or other sub-pieces. In the latter case, in at least some embodiments, it is advantageous to make the segmented portions as close as possible to the unsegmented structure (considering factors such as cost, material availability, size, application, etc.), which can at least partially reduce the possibility of radial magnetic field non-uniformity in the circumferential direction and thus reduce rotational resistance. However, this is not mandatory, and varying the magnitude of rotational resistance is acceptable in one or more other embodiments or applications disclosed by the applicant.

[0088] Regarding the connection of the bearing portions, the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 can be connected to each other via magnetic connectivity between the HTS bearing portion (one of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104) and the magnet bearing portion (the other of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104). This connectivity can be based at least in part on the properties of the high-temperature superconductor and the magnet, and the way these materials interact. More specifically, two effects that can be used in this disclosure include the Meissner effect and flux pinning. The Meissner effect can be referred to as the repulsion of internal magnetic field lines when a superconductor is cooled to its superconducting transition temperature (TC), or in other words, the expulsion of a magnetic field from the superconductor during the transition to the superconducting state. The magnetic field can be expelled when cooled to TC. For type II superconductors, there can be two critical magnetic fields, H... c1 or H c2 If the magnetic field present in a particular application is less than H c1 It's possible that no magnetic field will penetrate the superconductor. If the magnetic field is in H... c1 and H c2 Between these distances, a magnetic field can penetrate certain parts of the material. Beyond H... c2 Superconductivity can be at least partially suppressed, causing the material to no longer be in a superconducting state. The term "magnetic flux pinning" refers to an effect exhibited by type II superconductors (including high-temperature superconducting materials). Magnetic flux can be defined as the component of the magnetic field that passes through a specific surface. For example, magnetic flux pinning occurs in type II superconductors because HTS materials contain both non-superconducting and superconducting regions. Because magnetic flux can pass through the former (non-superconducting) region but not the latter (superconducting) region, magnets can be effectively "pinned" in place relative to the corresponding HTS structure. For example, this "magnetic flux pinning" effect can allow a superconductor to levitate on a magnet, and vice versa. The load-bearing capacity of the levitation component depends at least in part on the surface area of ​​the individual components and other factors, such as the quality or type of HTS material used, or the critical magnetic field (Hc). c2 ) or critical current density (J c Both of these will vary depending on the type of HTS material.

[0089] Continue to refer to Figure 1-4At least one embodiment of this disclosure may include a disc-shaped or annular first bearing portion 102 and an annular second bearing portion 104 rotatably coupled to the first portion, as further described below. In at least one embodiment (but only one of many embodiments), the first portion 102 may be an HTS portion, the second portion 104 may be a magnetic portion, or vice versa, and the second bearing portion 104 may be magnetically coupled to the portion 102 and have a gap 126 therebetween, the gap 126 being, for example, uniform, non-uniform, fixed, variable, or other spatial. In at least one embodiment, the gap 126 may be adapted to allow one bearing portion to rotate about another bearing portion without physical contact between the bearing portions. The bearing material may alternatively have a shape different from that of a disc and annulus, as explained elsewhere herein. The first portion 102 may be an HTS portion and may be, for example, annular (or other shape having one or more openings therethrough). In such an embodiment (but this is only one of many embodiments), the support 110 may be coupled to the first portion 102. This may include positioning the support 110 in the opening 106, and the support 110 may be adapted to support cooling of the bearing portion. For example, the support 110 (e.g., a shaft, spindle, or other support) may be at least partially made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminum, or another metal) and may be thermally coupled to the bearing portion 102 to remove heat from the bearing portion 102. Alternatively, the support 110 may not need to pass through the bearing portion 102 and may be partially positioned within or adjacent to the bearing portion 102 while still maintaining a supportive and / or heat-transfer relationship. The portion 102 and the support 110 may, but are not required to, be in direct contact with each other, and the system 100 may include, for example, a heat transfer medium (e.g., a heat transfer gel, gasket, or other material) at least partially disposed between them.

[0090] like Figure 3-4 As shown, for illustrative purposes, the second bearing portion 104 may include a magnetic ring for engagement with the first bearing portion 102 of the HTS (or, the first bearing portion 102 may include a magnetic ring for engagement with the second bearing portion 104 of the HTS). In at least one embodiment (but only one of many embodiments), the second bearing portion 104 (or the first portion 102, as appropriate) may include a plurality of magnetic rings interconnected, such as two, three, four, or up to twelve or more, which may include arranged adjacent to each other (whether in direct contact or not). Figure 3-4 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, bearing portion 104 (or portion 102; see example) Figure 8The device may include three magnetic rings 120A, 120B, and 120C (collectively referred to as rings 120). However, this is only an example, and more or fewer rings (including a single ring) may be used. Each ring 120 may be magnetized, with one magnetic pole on a first side or a first surface, such as the inner surface 122, and one magnetic pole on a second side or a second surface, such as the outer surface 124. As explained elsewhere in this document, in practice, multiple arcuate segments may be alternately magnetized and connected to at least approximate the magnetization of one or more rings 120 (the term "ring" as used herein includes integral rings and segmented rings formed of multiple pieces, unless otherwise stated). The rings 120 may be connected to each other to generate a relatively large or increasing magnetic field gradient in the axial direction while maintaining a relatively uniform magnetic field in the circumferential direction, for example, as shown in the figure. Figure 4 The magnetic flux line B shown is simplified for clarity (see also the description below). Figure 5Of course, variables such as gradient magnitude and magnetic field uniformity will be implementation-specific, can vary depending on the application, and can depend on any number of considerations based on the application, such as material type, magnet strength, magnet size, load requirements, loading conditions, temperature, and other factors (e.g., those discussed elsewhere in this document), either individually or in combination. Magnetic field uniformity of the magnet may be important, for example, because a sudden gradient along the circumferential direction will generate a force in the HTS material that can effectively act as friction (and thus become a source of energy loss), but ring 120 does not need to be perfectly uniform relative to each other. For example, at least one previous study has shown that even without a perfectly uniform magnetic field, the torque generated by inhomogeneity at the superconductor-magnet interface is small and velocity-independent (see Lee, E., Ma, K., Wilson, TL & Chu, W.-K., “Superconductor-magnet bearings with inherent stability and velocity-independent drag torque,” ​​1999 IEEE / ASME, International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (1999)). Another study investigated the effect of the air gap between magnets on the levitation force, finding that for a 0.5 mm air gap between the magnets studied, the change in levitation force was less than 1% at a levitation height of 15 mm. In other words, because the distance between the superconductor and the magnet surface in the study was greater than 10 mm, the superconductor was less likely to “see” magnetic field fluctuations in this configuration (see Liu, M., Wang, S., Wang, J. & Ma, G., “Influence of the Air Gap between Adjacent Permanent Magnets on the Performance of NdFeB Guideway for HTS Maglev System”, Journal of Superconductivity and New Magnetism 21, 431–435 (2008)).

[0091] Returning to the structure and arrangement of the present invention, system 100 may include a plurality of rings 120, which are arranged, for example, such that in the axial direction, the inner surface 122 is arranged as NSN ("N" represents north and "S" represents south), and the outer surface 124 is arranged as SNS (e.g., see...). Figure 4For example, rings 120 can be coupled such that the inner surface 122 is set to SNS and the outer surface 124 is set to NSN (see, for example, see...). Figure 5 As shown in these two exemplary embodiments (but these are only two of many embodiments), the rings 120 can mate with each other in the axial direction (i.e., in the case of...). Figure 5 A magnetic field gradient is generated in the horizontal direction shown, which at least partially resists or prevents axial movement of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 relative to each other (e.g., see [reference]). Figure 5 Simplified magnetic flux lines B). Rings 120A and 120B (or "AB") and rings 120B and 120C (or "BC") can generate forces in both directions (i.e., as shown in the simplified magnetic flux lines B). Figure 5 The exemplary embodiment shows the left and right sides. When the HTS portion is moved (or subjected to a force that tends to move it), for example, moved to the left (see Exemplary Embodiment), Figure 5 When BC moves to the right (or is subjected to a force that tends to move it) relative to the center of the magnet section or another location, AB can deflect or "pull" it back towards that location. Similarly, if the HTS section moves to the right (or is subjected to a force that tends to move it) (e.g. Figure 5 As shown (for illustrative purposes), BC can "push" against this movement, while AB can "pull" against it. This is likely because the HTS "wants" to maintain the same configuration of its internal flux. In other words, when the magnetic field moves relative to the HTS, the HTS may tend to move in a direction that would allow it to return to its previous configuration, such as the default configuration (e.g., in...). Figure 5 In this case, it can return to the center position on ring 120B). In this way, for example, the magnetic relationship between rings 120A and 120B, and between rings 120B and 120C, can respectively generate a tendency to orient bearing portion 104 relative to bearing portion 102 (in Figure 5 In the example, the force is offset at the center (or other location, depending on the situation) of the HTS bearing section, and vice versa.

[0092] Alternatively, embodiments of this disclosure may include other arrangements and numbers of rings. For example, system 100 may include bearing portions 102, 104 having five rings with inner or outer surfaces arranged in an SNSNS (opposite surfaces are NSNSN) or NSNNSNSSN (opposite surfaces are SNSNSNS) configuration in the axial direction. As another example, ring 120 may be arranged in an arrangement known as a Halbach array, which helps to enhance the magnetic field on one side of the magnet. Other arrangements may also be used. For example, ring 120 does not necessarily have to be arranged in an NSNSN configuration; instead, it may be coupled or arranged in other ways to generate an axial magnetic field gradient and circumferential field uniformity (which may include gradients and uniformities of arbitrary magnitude or characteristics) sufficient to support a particular application, such as up, right, down, left, and up. In such a configuration, the direction may refer to the north or south pole of the magnet. For example, Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment (which is only one of many embodiments) can be described as North Up, North Right, North Down, North Left, North Up.

[0093] Due to the effect of flux pinning, in magnetic field arrangements such as those described for ring 120, bearing portion 104 may rotate or spin relative to bearing portion 102 in the circumferential direction (e.g., about axis A), but may resist displacement in the axial direction (e.g., along axis A). The Meissner effect can maintain the radial force between the HTS and the magnet, which can prevent the first and second bearing portions from contacting each other, such as under load (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to axis A). As the bearing portions become closer to each other (or are subjected to radial forces that tend to bring them closer together), the Meissner effect becomes stronger, which can at least partially counteract this force, while the flux pinning effect can effectively bias the bearing portions toward the concentric position shown. In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the surface area of ​​the magnet and the HTS bearing portions can be maximized, which at least helps to maximize the load-carrying capacity of the bearing system. Those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure will understand that such maximization is, of course, application-specific and can depend on many factors, such as size constraints, material and cost constraints, and other factors, such as the method of material manufacturing.

[0094] One or more embodiments of this disclosure, such as those described above, can remain stable under one or more disturbances, as further described elsewhere herein. Such embodiments may not require active feedback, such as feedback from one or more sensors coupled to the controller, although such control and feedback systems may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. For example, system 100 may include active feedback or other control system 150 for monitoring or controlling one or more aspects of the system (see [link to documentation]). Figure 6A In such an embodiment (which is just one of many embodiments), one or more magnets, such as toroidal magnets, may be embedded or otherwise coupled to one or more bearing portions of the system (which can be any bearing portion, such as an HTS portion). For illustrative purposes, as Figure 6A As shown, magnet (or magnets) 152A can be coupled to bearing portion 102 such that it can repel magnet (or magnets) 152B in bearing portion 104. For example, one or more of magnets 152A, 152B can be electromagnets, and the repulsion between them can be modified by controller 154 in an active or otherwise manner, such as based on feedback or other data from one or more sensors 156 (e.g., pressure, voltage, current, magnetic field, force, temperature, or other sensors), either individually or in combination. For example, control system 150 can be adapted to monitor and / or control one or more of magnets 152A, 152B (if present) based on one or more feedback, measurements, or other inputs, for example, to maintain system stability. In at least one embodiment, system 100 having control system 150 can be adapted to modify the field strength of one or more of magnets 152A, 152B, thereby, for example, increasing, decreasing, or otherwise controlling the load-carrying capacity or load configuration of the system. Of course, it will be understood that the control system 150 is not necessarily present in one or more other embodiments of this disclosure, and the system 100 may include one or more magnets 152A, 152B that are separate from and remote from the control system 150.

[0095] As described above, system 100 may include a housing 112 coupled to bearing portion 104. In at least one embodiment (and only one of many embodiments), housing 112 may be a tire or other structure for contacting a surface or object to move relative to it. Housing 112 may be made of any material required for the specific application, such as rubber, metal, carbon fiber, plastic, nylon, or other materials suitable for contacting the surface to be contacted. Housing 112 and bearing portion 104 may be coupled in any manner required for the specific application, which may include connecting them to each other individually or in combination via fasteners, adhesives, or other couplings. Housing 112 and portion 104 may be resiliently coupled together to maintain coupling in applications where bearing portion 104 can withstand relatively high rotational speeds. For example, in an embodiment of system 100 used in a wheel assembly (described further below), at 100,000 RPM, the resultant force required to hold a 7 kg wheel (weight excluding the stationary HTS) together is approximately 700,000 lbs. However, materials such as carbon fiber can have an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 3.5 GPa (and a Young's modulus far exceeding that limit), which corresponds to approximately 500,000 PSI. Therefore, in such embodiments, a "tire" with a cross-sectional area of ​​a few square inches is sufficient to hold the wheels together during rotation. As stronger materials (such as carbon nanotubes) become commercially available, it is foreseeable that the maximum potential RPM of applications utilizing the wheel assembly of this invention will likely be further increased.

[0096] Continue to refer to Figure 1-8 , please refer to Figure 7-8System 100 may include cooling system 200, which can be any type of cooling system required for a particular application, such as a heat dissipation or refrigeration system, for cooling one or more components of the bearing system. For example, cooling system 200 may at least partially hold one or more HTS components at a temperature or temperature range sufficient to allow the HTS material to exhibit superconducting properties (e.g., at or below the transition temperature or critical temperature that reduces the material resistivity to zero). Cooling system 200 may be any of many different types of cooling systems known in the art, used alone or in combination to maintain the cryogenicity of superconducting or other materials. Alternatively, cooling system 200 may be specifically developed according to the particular application of this disclosure. As an example, cooling system 200 may be or may include a closed-loop flow refrigeration system or cryogenic fluid system, alone or in combination. For example, cooling system 200 may include a cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen, and one or more components of system 100 may be immersed in the cryogenic fluid. In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), the cryogenic fluid may provide cooling capacity by evaporation. For example, cooling system 200 may be or may include a closed-loop flow-through refrigerator, which may include a fluid with suitable heat transfer characteristics (e.g., a gas such as helium), and may use compression, heat exchange, and expansion processes to provide cooling power. For example, cooling system 200 may be or may include a so-called Gifford-McMahon cooler, which may include a compressor and a cold head (e.g., a cold plate) or other structures for cooling. In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), one or more components of system 200 may, but are not required to, be positioned remotely from each other, which allows for greater flexibility, as described in further detail below.

[0097] As described above, cooling system 200 may, but is not necessarily, include at least a portion of one or more support members 110. For example, support member 110 may be at least partially made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., copper or another metal) and may be configured to be in thermal contact with one or more components of system 100 (e.g., bearing portion 102). For example, in an embodiment where bearing portion 102 comprises HTS material, support member 110 may at least partially cool the HTS material by conduction. Alternatively or commonly, cooling system 200 may include cooling assembly 202 for cooling one or more components of system 100. Cooling assembly 202 may be any type of cooling assembly required for a particular application, including means adapted to maintain a relatively low temperature within its internal portion 204 for cooling materials disposed therein or otherwise thermally connected to it. Internal portion 204 may be at least partially insulated from the surrounding environment, such as the atmosphere. Internal portion 204 may be at least partially adapted to resist heat transfer, such as by conduction, radiation, or other means. Heat transfer from conduction (i.e., heat transfer by air molecules through the walls of the cooling assembly) can be at least partially limited by maintaining at least a partial vacuum within the internal portion 204. Heat transfer via radiation can be at least partially reduced by utilizing so-called superinsulation, such as reflecting incident radiation. For example, the cooling assembly 202 (or portions thereof, such as the internal portion 204) may include, alone or in combination, one or more superinsulating materials, such as polymers or other aerogels, and one or more superinsulating structures or technologies, such as double walls. The cooling assembly 202 can be made of any material (or combination of materials) required for a particular application, such as metal, glass, plastic, fiberglass, or other materials. The cooling assembly 202 may, but is not required to, include one or more intervening portions 206 at least partially disposed within the gap 126 between the first and second bearing portions 102, 104. In such an embodiment (just one of many embodiments), the intervening portion 206 may preferably be formed of an unmagnetized material or of a material suitable for at least minimizing (or eliminating) any interference or influence on the coupling interaction between the bearing portions 102, 104. For example, the intervening portion 206 (if present) can be designed to occupy a minimal amount of space between the HTS and the magnet portion (e.g., depending on the requirements of the specific application to be applied). The internal bearing portion 102 is the HTS bearing portion (e.g., see...). Figure 7In embodiments of the system 102, the cooling assembly 202 may have one or more portions, such as a first portion 202A and a second portion 202B, coupled to the bearing portion 102 for at least partially maintaining the bearing portion 102 within a temperature range (e.g., a low-temperature range). The first and second portions 202A, 202B (and other portions, if present) of the cooling assembly 202 may comprise a single cooling assembly structure or may be separate cooling assembly structures. In either case, the first and second portions 202A, 202B may, but are not required to, be in fluid communication with each other, whether integrally formed with each other or otherwise, such as through one or more fluid channels, which may include any one or more hoses, conduits, fittings, valves, and other fluid communication structures required for a particular application. The cooling assembly 202 may include one or more openings 208, such as inlets, outlets, or other channels, for fluid communication with each other or with one or more other components of the system 100, individually or in combination. For example, system 100 may include one or more fluid sources 210 for supplying cooling fluid 214 to cooling assembly 202, such as via one or more fluid conduits 212, either alone or in combination with one or more other fluid components (e.g., fittings, valves, etc.). In at least one embodiment (just one of many embodiments), cooling assembly 202 may be or may include a cryostat that at least partially surrounds, houses, or otherwise connects to bearing portion 102 and / or support 110 (e.g., see...). Figure 7 In such embodiments, fluid 214 may be a cryogenic fluid or refrigerant, such as liquid nitrogen or another fluid, and fluid source 210 may supply fluid 214 to assembly 202 (including one or more portions 202A, 202B) to cool bearing portion 102 as required by a particular application. Furthermore, assembly 202 may, but is not required to, include one or more outlets 216, such as vents, one-way or multi-way valves, check valves, or other channels that allow fluid to escape from the interior 204 of assembly 202. For example, outlet 216 may allow gas flowing from evaporated or evaporating liquid or other coolant to be removed from assembly 202 or a portion thereof. As another example, one or more of the first and second portions 202A, 202B of cooling assembly 202 may be or may include a cold head configured in a heat transfer relationship with at least a portion of bearing portion 102. In such embodiments, one or more of the first and second portions 202A, 202B may, but are not required to, be isolated from the environment, such as performing a function similar to or the same as a cryostat in the liquid refrigerant example, and the fluid source 210 allows coolant to circulate through the component 202, including into and out of corresponding openings 208 (e.g., one or more inlets and one or more outlets). In another embodiment among many embodiments, the outer bearing portion 104 is an HTS bearing portion (e.g., see...). Figure 8 The first and second portions 202A and 202B can be thermally coupled to at least a portion of the bearing portion 104. In such an embodiment, the first and second portions 202A and 202B of the cooling assembly 202 can, but are not required to, be separated from each other and can be coupled to the bearing portion 104 at any location required for a particular application. Figure 8 As shown, for illustrative purposes, the first and second portions 202A, 202B may be coupled to one or more sides of the bearing portion 104, or alternatively (or collectively), may be coupled to the top, bottom, inner surface, or outer surface of the bearing portion 104. Furthermore, each of the first and second portions 202A, 202B may, but is not necessarily, include multiple separate cooling sections that may be in fluid and / or thermal communication with each other, or alternatively, may be in fluid and / or thermal isolation from each other. In addition, Figure 8 The exemplary arrangement of the cooling system 200 shown is similar to that described in the reference above. Figure 7As described above, it will not be necessary to describe it in detail again here. In any case, or in other embodiments disclosed by the applicant, the cooling assembly 202 (or one or more portions thereof, such as portions 202A, 202B) may be well fixed relative to the corresponding bearing portion to at least minimize (or prevent) any movement relative to each other or relative to one or more other components of system 100. For example, the cooling assembly 202 (or one or more portions thereof, such as portions 202A, 202B) may, but is not required, be directly or indirectly, individually or in combination, fixedly coupled to bearing portion 102, bearing portion 104, support member 110, or other components of bearing system 100. In embodiments where the superconductor portion is located in a rotating bearing portion (e.g., bearing portion 104), a liquid refrigerant cooling method may be used, which may at least reduce the weight added to the rotating portion of the system (e.g., the weight from system components) compared to one or more other cooling systems. However, this is not mandatory, and other cooling methods may also be used in one or more applications of the invention. In embodiments where the superconductor portion is located in a rotating or stationary part of system 100 (e.g., bearing portion 102), adding components of cooling system 200 to the rotating part of system 100 is not problematic, depending on the application. Those skilled in the art, benefiting from the applicant's disclosure, will readily understand that cooling system 200 may, and in at least some embodiments may, include many other cooling components, such as conduits, lines, hoses, fittings, valves, pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, evaporators, fins, tubing, and fans or other blowers. Therefore, these items known in the art need not be described in detail herein. For example, cooling system 200 may, but is not necessarily, include one or more control systems, which may include one or more conventional (or custom-developed) components, such as controllers, storage devices, control software, sensors, transmitters, receivers, thermometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, power supplies, and other components for the cooling system or control system application. It should be understood that the aforementioned control system 150 (if present) may also include one or more of the aforementioned components.

[0098] Having described one or more embodiments of the systems and methods of this disclosure above, one or more additional embodiments will now be described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure that one or more principles or aspects of the foregoing embodiments are equally applicable to one or more of the following embodiments, and vice versa. Therefore, certain aspects described above need not be repeated below.

[0099] Figure 9 An isometric view of one embodiment of a wheel assembly according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A side view of the embodiment. Figure 11 yes Figure 9 Another side view of the embodiment. Figure 12 yes Figure 9-11 A top cross-sectional view of the embodiment. The description will be presented in conjunction with each other. Figure 9-12 .

[0100] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, a bearing system (such as one or more bearing systems described above) may be, or may be incorporated into, one or more systems or devices for motion or for supporting motion. As one of many examples, bearing system 300 may be, or may include, a wheel assembly for supporting rotational motion, and may include bearing 302 coupled to one or more other components for moving, such as one or more supports 304, which support one or more components of the assembly. Bearing 302 may include a first bearing portion 302A, such as an internal (or external) bearing portion, and a second bearing portion 302B, such as an external (or internal) bearing portion. As described elsewhere herein, one of bearing portions 302A and 302B may be an HTS bearing portion, while the other bearing portion 302A and 302B may be a magnetic bearing portion. It should be understood, of course, that any one of bearing portions 302A and 302B may be an HTS portion, while the other may be a magnetic portion, as required or desired by a particular application or implementation to be described. It should also be understood that the relevant terms used herein (e.g., internal, external, first, second, etc.) are used for clarity and convenience of explanation, and each bearing part 302A, 302B may, but is not required to, include multiple HTS and / or magnetic parts, individually or in combination with each other and / or in combination with one or more other non-HTS or non-magnetic parts (e.g., couplings, housings, covers, or other components). (The remaining text appears to be illustrative and unrelated to the preceding paragraph.) Figure 9In an exemplary embodiment (which is only one of many embodiments), portion 302A is shown as an HTS portion and portion 302B is shown as a magnetic portion, but this is not necessarily the case (as explained above and elsewhere herein). Bearing portion 302A may be coupled to support 304, which may be or may include an axle, spindle, shaft, rod, track, or other structure, and may, but is not necessarily, adapted to rotate or otherwise move. Portion 302A and support 304 may be coupled in any way required for a particular application, including directly, indirectly, integrally formed, or otherwise integrally or partially coupled. Bearing portion 302B may be magnetically coupled to bearing portion 302A, as explained elsewhere in this disclosure, such as with respect to the bearing system 100 described above, and bearing portions 302A and 302B may be adapted to rotate relative to each other, individually or in combination. In at least one embodiment, portion 302B may be or may include a wheel adapted to rotate about axis A, which may, but is not necessarily, the central longitudinal axis of support 304. The bearing portion 302B may include an outer load-bearing portion 306, which may, but is not required to, include a tire, cover, housing, coating, or other structure or surface (of any shape) suitable for contact surface support system 300. The bearing portion 302B and the outer portion 306 may be integrally formed, or they may be separately formed and integrally or partially connected to each other, which may, but is not required to, involve the use of one or more fasteners, adhesives, or other couplings.

[0101] In at least one embodiment (but only one of many embodiments), the bearing system 300 may include a drive system 308 for moving one of the bearing portions 302A, 302B relative to the other and / or relative to one or more other components of the system. The drive system 308 may include a driver 310 for driving or otherwise causing or eliciting movement of one or more system components, such as rotational or other methods. The driver 310 may, but is not necessarily, be coupled to a support 304 and may alternatively (or collectively) be coupled to one or more other supports, or it may be, for example, self-supporting. In at least one embodiment, the driver 310 may be or may include (but is not necessarily) an electromagnetic driver (as further described below) and may be any type of driver required for a particular application, such as a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical drive assembly. For example, the driver 310 may be or may include a rotating shaft, such as a drive shaft driven by a motor, engine, pump, or other prime mover; or, for example, a transmission, PTO system, or drive linkage system. The drive system 308 may include a drive portion 312 coupled to the driver 310, which may be adapted to move the driven portion 314. Driven portion 314 may include a structure, for example, coupled to one or more bearing portions, such as bearing portion 302B, including integrally or partially integrally formed therewith. Drive portion may, but is not required to, include one or more drive couplings 316; similarly, driven portion 314 may, but is not required to, include one or more driven couplings 318. Each of portions 312, 314 may include any number of couplings 316, 318 required for a particular application, wherein one or more couplings may be coupled to each other and to the corresponding drive portion in any manner suitable for the upcoming application (including integrally or partially). For example, each coupling 316, 318 may be coupled to one or more other similar couplings, or alternatively, each coupling 316, 318 may be independent; furthermore, one or more couplings may be replaceable, for example, by removably coupling to one or more other components, such as the corresponding portions 312, 314. The driving portion 312 may have the same number (any number) of driving portions 316 as the corresponding driven portion 314 has driven couplings 318; alternatively, the system 300 may include different numbers of corresponding couplings 316, 318. One or more driving couplings 314 (if present) may be coupled to one or more driven couplings 318 (if present) for connecting the driving portion 312 and the driven portion 314 to each other.Alternatively (or collectively), one or more of the driving and driven portions 312, 314 may not include couplings, and one portion may be coupled to a coupling of another portion, or, for example, couplings 316, 318 may be completely absent, and the driving portions 312, 314 may be coupled to each other without the use of couplings, such as directly or otherwise. In at least one embodiment, the driving portion 312 may be mechanically coupled to the driven portion 314, for example, for rotating portion 314 about axis A. For example, one or more sets of corresponding couplings 316, 318 (including one or more sets of couplings) may be removably or otherwise coupled to each other. While such embodiments are useful in one or more applications or implementations disclosed by the applicant, they are still subject to one or more limitations of the actuators in the system (e.g., friction, maximum speed or rate, etc.). In at least one other embodiment, such as embodiments including electromagnetic or other magnetic actuators (as described above), the driving portion 312 does not need to be mechanically coupled to the driven portion 314. For example, the driving portion 312 may be magnetically coupled to the driven portion 314. In at least one such embodiment, one or more sets of corresponding or connected (e.g., paired or other combinations) drive and driven couplings 316, 318 (if present) may include permanent magnet couplings and magnetic couplings (which may, but are not necessarily, also be or include magnets). Magnetic couplings may be drive couplings, magnetic couplings may be driven couplings, and vice versa, and this arrangement may, but is not necessarily, differ between the two or more sets of corresponding couplings (if present). Drive portion 312 may rotate (e.g., about axis A), for example by rotation by driver 310 or a drive system coupled thereto, and magnetic attraction between each set of corresponding couplings 316, 318 (or between drive portion 312 and driven portion 314) may cause bearing portion 302B to rotate or otherwise move with drive portion 312. In at least one such embodiment (only one of many embodiments), drive portion 312 (or driven portion 314) may be or may include electromagnets. For example, the driving portion 312 may include one or more electromagnetic drive couplings 316, and the driven portion 314 may include one or more magnetic driven couplings 318, each magnetic driven coupling having an associated corresponding drive coupling(s) 316 (or vice versa). In such an embodiment, each magnetic coupling may be polarized, and each electromagnetic coupling may be adapted to move the driven portion 314 (which may be the driving portion) individually or in combination, such as by rotating it about an axis. Figure 10As shown, for illustrative purposes, in at least one such embodiment (and only one of many embodiments), the driven portion 312 may, but is not necessarily, be positioned in a rotationally fixed position, and the driving portion may be or be coupled to a bearing portion 302B adapted to rotate about the bearing portion 302A, for example, by being rotatably coupled to or near it. For example, two or more adjacent driven couplings 318 (if present) of driven couplings 318A, 318B may have alternating polarities, and the driving coupling 316 may be adapted to change polarity during operation (e.g., in response to one or more elapsed times or other conditions or instructions), such as alternating between N and S poles. Adjacent driving couplings 316 (if present) may, but are not necessarily, be adapted to alternate polarities in opposite ways to each other. In other words, at a point in time (or within a period of time) during operation—which could be any point in time or period of time required for a particular application—one drive coupling (e.g., coupling 316A) (which could be any drive coupling, if present) could have a north pole, while an adjacent drive coupling (e.g., coupling 318B) could have a south pole, and vice versa. At the next point in time or within the next period of time, the polarity of the drive couplings could be reversed or changed to the opposite polarity (i.e., from N to S, and vice versa). Depending on the needs of a particular application, this change could occur at any time or time interval and could occur in any coupling position or coupling positional relationship. For example, in at least one embodiment (and only one of many embodiments), this change of polarity could occur when the driven coupling 318 reaches an intermediate position (e.g., rotated or otherwise) between two adjacent drive couplings 316, or before or after that. Thus, it will be appreciated and understood that the electromagnetic actuator 310 can magnetically rotate the driven portion 314, for example, by controlled magnetic coupling thereto. More specifically, considering an exemplary pair or group of adjacent drive couplings (e.g., 316A, 316B) relative to a single exemplary driven coupling (e.g., 318A or 318B) having, for example, N polarity, one drive coupling 316 may have N polarity while another drive coupling 316 may have S polarity during an exemplary time period. The N drive coupling may repel the driven coupling, and the S drive coupling may attract the driven coupling. In this way, the driven coupling can move from a position closer to the former to a position closer to the latter. During a subsequent time period, the polarity of each drive coupling may be reversed, and the exemplary driven coupling may be biased accordingly, including biased towards a third exemplary drive coupling adjacent to one of the aforementioned couplings, and having, for example, a polarity opposite to that of the driven coupling at this time. In one embodiment, a similar principle may be applied to the remaining couplings 316, 318 (if present), which may generate a driving force for driving the driven portion 314 and / or the second bearing portion 302B.This driving force can be controlled, for example, by controlling the amount of current flowing to or through one or more electromagnetic drive portions 312 and / or one or more drive couplings 316 (if present), by increasing or decreasing it. Furthermore, a similar method can be used to slow the movement of the driven portion 314 if necessary or desired in a particular application, such as as part of a braking system. System 300 may, but is not required to, include one or more other components disclosed herein, individually or in combination with each other, integrally or partially. For example, in at least one embodiment, system 300 may include a control system (not shown) adapted to measure, control, change, and / or display one or more aspects or features of the system to a user. As another example, system 300 may include a cooling system (e.g., support 304 may be part of this cooling system), which may include cooling components, refrigerant, and / or other cooling devices, such as... Figure 1-8 One or more components are shown.

[0102] Figure 13 An isometric view of one embodiment of a transportation system according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 14 yes Figure 13 A schematic end view of the embodiment. Figure 15 yes Figure 13-14 A side view of the embodiment. Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A schematic detailed view of a portion of the image. These will be described in conjunction with each other. Figure 13-16 .

[0103] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, a bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be, or may be incorporated into, one or more transport (or conveying) systems 400, such as systems or devices for moving from one place to another or for supporting such movement. As one of many examples, the transport system 400 may include a body 402 for supporting one or more items (including passengers) in motion. The body 402 may include, individually or in combination with each other, such as a vehicle body, chassis, frame, or other structures for supporting items during movement, such as storage compartments. The body 402 may be made of any material required for a particular application, such as plastic, glass, metal, and other materials, individually or in combination, and may include one or more of any features or other structures common in conventional transport systems, such as seats, safety mechanisms, and other items, such as luxury goods. The transport system 400 may include one or more bearing systems 404 coupled to the body 402 for supporting its movement, which may include any number of bearing systems required for a particular application. For example, in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, system 400 may include two, three, four, five, six, eight, up to eighteen or more or fewer bearing systems according to the applicant's disclosure, such as multiple bearing systems similar to the multiple wheels or tires found on one or more conventional transportation systems, such as bicycles, motorcycles, buses and trucks, semi-trailers, and airplanes. One or more of bearing systems 404 may be or may include any bearing system disclosed herein, in whole or in part, individually or in combination, including any particular application implementation or modification of any of them. Therefore, bearing system 404 need not be described in detail again herein. One or more bearing systems 404 may at least be generally coupled to or disposed below body 402, such as in a conventional vehicle arrangement, but this is not necessary. For example, as Figure 13-16As shown in the exemplary embodiments (which are merely one of many embodiments), one or more bearing systems may be arranged directly or indirectly on the top, bottom, side, or other part of the body 402, depending on the needs or expectations of a particular application. For example, one or more bearing systems 404 may be coupled to a support 406, such as a frame, strut, or other structure for supporting the rotational movement of the bearing systems 404, which may, for example, support the linear, rotational, or other movement of the body 402. The support 406 may be circular, but is not required, and may instead be of another shape, which may be any shape, such as a square, rectangle, etc. Each of the one or more support members 406 may include any number of bearing systems 404 (whether the same or different) required for a particular application, and the one or more support members 406 may be coupled to the body 402 via one or more couplings 408, which may include, for example, individual or combined brackets, frames, fasteners, or other structural members. In at least one embodiment (only one of many embodiments), the support 406 and bearing system 404 may be adapted and arranged to communicate with the track system 410 for guiding or otherwise directing the movement of the system 400, such as by at least partially defining a path that the body 402 and / or other components of the system can travel. The track system 410 may include any type of guiding system required for a particular application, such as a slide rail, one or more tracks, cables, or other support structures, or, for example, a at least partially enclosed conduit through which the body 402 can pass. In embodiments where the track system 410 includes a conduit (only one of many embodiments), at least a portion of the conduit may be at least partially evacuated of air, for example, to maintain the conduit in at least a partial vacuum. In at least one embodiment, such as a vacuum conduit embodiment, the transport system 400 may, but is not necessarily, include a self-contained oxygen system, for example, for providing breathable air to passengers carried by the body 402. The transport system 400 may, but is not necessarily, include one or more prime movers 412 for propelling, pushing, or otherwise moving the body 402 (and any contents, if present) along the path. The prime mover 412 may include, for example, a motor or engine powered by hydrocarbons or other sources (which may include transmissions, linkages, fuel, and other components, depending on the circumstances), or, for example, the prime mover 412 may include one or more jet propulsion systems, such as a rocket. Alternatively, there may be no prime mover 412, and the body 402 may move along a path in one or more other ways, such as by gravity or magnetic propulsion systems. In at least one embodiment, the system 400 may, but is not required to, include one or more conventional bearing systems 414 in conjunction with one or more bearing systems according to this disclosure.

[0104] Figure 17An isometric view of one embodiment of a turbine system according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 18 yes Figure 17 A schematic end view of the embodiment. Figure 19 yes Figure 17-18 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the embodiment. It will be described in conjunction with each other. Figure 17-19 .

[0105] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, a bearing system (such as one or more bearing systems described above) may be or may be incorporated into one or more turbine systems 500, such as systems or devices for power generation or other types of turbines. As one of many examples of an embodiment, a turbine system 500 may include one or more bearing systems 502 for supporting rotational movement between a support member 504 and a fan 506. Each bearing system 502 may include one or more bearing portions, such as bearing portions 502A, 502B, which may include HTS bearing portions and magnet bearing portions as described elsewhere herein. One or more of the bearing systems 502 may be or may include any bearing system disclosed herein, in whole or in part, individually or in combination, including any application-specific implementation or adjustment of any of them. Thus, the bearing system 502 of this embodiment of the present disclosure (which is only one of many embodiments) need not be described in detail again herein. The support member 504 may, but is not necessarily, rotatably fixed, and the fan 506 may include one or more blades or fins 508, which, relative to one or more conventional turbines lacking the bearing system of the present invention, may rotate about the support member 504 with at least reduced friction.

[0106] Figure 20 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a bearing system with a cooling system according to the present disclosure. Figure 21 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the bearing and flywheel system according to the present disclosure. Figure 22 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a layered flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure. Figure 23 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the layered flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure. Figure 24 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of the layered flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure. Figure 25 This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a porous flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure. Figure 26 This is a schematic top view of yet another embodiment of the porous flywheel assembly according to the present disclosure. Figure 27 yes Figure 26A schematic side view of a partial cross-section of the flywheel assembly. These will be described in conjunction with each other. Figure 20-27 .

[0107] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be, or may be incorporated into, one or more flywheel systems, such as a FESS for supporting energy storage. One or more embodiments of this disclosure can maximize the load and stability carried by permanent magnets; because the magnets can tilt, magnetic repulsion generates lift and partial stability through gravitational restoring forces. The remaining load can be carried by a relatively small amount of high-temperature superconductor (“HTS”), which, unlike previous HTS-based designs, can be more easily cooled by a small, refrigerant-free cooler. Furthermore, the problem of magnetic flux creep is mitigated, reducing the need for periodically heated systems and the material stress caused by such frequent temperature cycling.

[0108] By changing system parameters, such as the angle of the magnets relative to the axis of rotation, the angle of the magnets relative to each other, and by changing the width of some magnets, the tilt of the magnets can allow for a wide range of adjustability. In at least one embodiment, the magnets can be supported by magnets, the shape of which can be adjusted to minimize the negative stiffness of the permanent magnet portion of the bearing system.

[0109] In at least one embodiment, the bearing and flywheel system 600 may include: a first bearing portion 602 having an opening 604 of a first size passing through it and a central longitudinal axis A; a second bearing portion 606 having a second size smaller than the first size; and a flywheel 608 coupled to the second bearing portion 606. One of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606 may be at least partially constituted by an HTS 610 and a first magnet 612. The other of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606 may be at least partially constituted by a second magnet 614 and a third magnet 616. The second bearing portion 606 may be at least partially disposed within the opening 604 passing through the first bearing portion 602. A gap may exist between the outer surface of the second bearing portion 606 and the inner surface of the first bearing portion 602. The second bearing portion 606 may be configured to rotate relative to the first bearing portion 602 about the central longitudinal axis A (or another axis) of the first bearing portion 602.

[0110] In at least one embodiment, the first bearing portion 602 may be configured to repel the second bearing portion 606, such that the second bearing portion 606 is biased toward the central longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the first bearing portion 602 may be configured to repel the second bearing portion 606, such that the second bearing portion 606 is centered along the central longitudinal axis A. For example, HTS 610 may be configured to repel the second magnet 614, such that the second bearing portion 606 is biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 may be configured to repel the third magnet 616, such that the second bearing portion 606 is biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis A.

[0111] In at least one embodiment, the HTS 610 and the second magnet 614 can be configured to at least partially prevent longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, the HTS 610 and the second magnet 614 can have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged parallel to the central longitudinal axis A.

[0112] In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 may be configured to at least partially impede longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and angled relative to the central longitudinal axis A.

[0113] In at least one embodiment, system 600 may include one or more additional magnets coupled to one or both bearing portions, such as a fourth magnet 618 coupled to one of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606 and a fifth magnet 620 coupled to the other of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606. The fourth magnet 618 and the fifth magnet 620 may be configured to repel each other, thereby at least partially preventing longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion 606 relative to the first bearing portion 602. The fourth magnet 618 and the fifth magnet 620 may have outer surfaces parallel to each other and angled relative to a central longitudinal axis A.

[0114] In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged at a first angle relative to the central longitudinal axis A, and the fourth magnet 618 and the fifth magnet 620 may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged at a second angle relative to the central longitudinal axis A. The first and second angles may be equal and / or opposite. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles are complementary. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles are different. Again, for the purposes of clarity and explanation, the names "first," "second," "third," etc., are used herein, and these names do not individually determine the magnet, bearing portion, or other component referred to by any such name.

[0115] Any magnet may be or may include a toroidal magnet and / or may include multiple magnet segments. It will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and discussion therein that the magnet pairs may be configured opposite each other to hold the second bearing portion 606 in place relative to the first bearing portion 602. Any characteristics of the magnets, such as size, shape, number, strength, and orientation, may be manipulated to resist other forces, such as the weight of the second bearing portion 606 and / or the flywheel 608, and other forces acting on the components of system 600. For example, in the presence of a tensile force in one direction along the central longitudinal axis A, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 may differ from the fourth magnet 618 and the fifth magnet 620 in size, shape, number, strength, orientation, type, material, or any combination thereof.

[0116] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may be or may include one or more layered flywheels composed of thin or ultrathin high-strength sheets (e.g., steel plates) stacked on top of each other. In such an embodiment (just one of many embodiments), two or more sheets of the flywheel 608 can be separated from each other, such that if any single layer fails, the other layers will be unaffected and will continue to operate. Because the layers can be separated from each other, the probability of many layers failing simultaneously is very small, and the failure mechanism is benign because the layers can be easily compressed to absorb energy. In at least one embodiment, the system 600 according to this disclosure can have the important additional advantage that the flywheel 608 can operate closer to the maximum limits of the material, thereby increasing energy density. It is foreseeable that a certain number of layers may fail each year, which can be collected periodically and recycled as new layers for flywheel replacement.

[0117] In at least one embodiment, two or more flywheel layers can be separated from each other by using a viscous energy-absorbing material (e.g., rubber) between these layers. In at least one embodiment, such a material can also be used to separate the flywheel layers from the shaft, thereby allowing the system 600 to balance the flywheel 608 by repositioning it relative to the shaft. In at least one embodiment, a phase change material that can switch between a soft phase and a hard phase can be used as a separator.

[0118] In at least one embodiment, the shaft does not penetrate the flywheel layer (e.g., see...). Figure 23 Because the center of the flywheel layer has a higher tolerance for tension, this allows for higher speeds. For example, the shaft 640 can be coupled to the flywheel layer by using two strong magnets 642, 644 at either end of the flywheel layer assembly. In at least one embodiment, electrostatic force can be used instead of magnets. In at least one embodiment, strong adhesives or other bonding materials can be used to hold the components together without requiring the shaft to pass through the flywheel disc. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel layers can be held together by bolts or other fasteners (not shown) placed through holes facing the outer diameter or outer periphery of the disc (e.g., at a radial position between the center of the flywheel and the outermost radial boundary) rather than near the center to reduce stress.

[0119] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 itself may be a highly porous structure (e.g., see...). Figure 25 The flywheel 608 contains a liquid or soft material capable of moving between "voids" or "cells" within it to distribute mass in response to inertial forces, which may allow or support the self-balancing of the system 600. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may have radial stops 656 on its outer diameter or circumference, such as radially outer strips, walls, or seals, or, for example, ultra-high-strength composite discs, for additional structural support. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may utilize ultra-high-strength steel or composite material lines arranged radially outward from the center to provide tensile strength and resistance to centrifugal forces during flywheel operation.

[0120] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may be a layered flywheel (e.g., see...). Figure 21-23 The material comprises a sheet, ring, or other layer of a first material 630 and a sheet, ring, or other layer of a second material 632. In at least one embodiment, these layers alternate such that the first material layer 630 and the second material layer 632 are coupled together, and one of the second material layers 632 is disposed between adjacent first material layers 630. In at least one embodiment, these layers may be configured such that failure of each first material layer 630 is independent of failure of any other first material layer 630. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials 630, 632 may alternate in concentric rings (see, for example...). Figure 24 In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials 630, 632 may alternate along the longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may include two or more layers of one material separated by one or more layers of another material.

[0121] In at least one embodiment, the second material 632 has a higher tensile strength than the first material 630. In at least one embodiment, the second material 632 may be configured to reinforce and / or assist in preventing failure of the first material 630.

[0122] In at least one embodiment, the second material 632 may be a phase change material. For example, the second material 632 may have a higher tensile strength in the first phase than the first material 630, and a lower tensile strength in the second phase than the first material 630. In at least one embodiment, the second material 632 may be configured to selectively separate the first material layers 630 from each other and / or from the second bearing portion 606.

[0123] In at least one embodiment, system 600 may include a shaft 640 connecting a flywheel 608 and a second bearing portion 606 (or other rotor bearing portion), and a phase change material 632 connecting the flywheel 608 and the shaft 640. The phase change material 632 may be configured to selectively detach the flywheel 608 from the shaft 640.

[0124] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may be a porous flywheel comprising a porous flywheel body 650 having a radially outer surface 652 and an internal void matrix 654. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc or other stopper 656 may be coupled to the radially outer surface 652 of the flywheel body 650. In at least one embodiment, one or more structural support members 658 may be coupled between the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650. The structural support member 658 may be or may include one or more wires, rods, sleeves, rings, sheets, bars, etc., configured to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650. The structural support member 658 may be radially outwardly oriented relative to the central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body 650. In at least one embodiment, a mass distribution material 660 may be sealed within the void matrix 654 of the flywheel body 650. The mass distribution material 660 may be a fluid such as water, a particulate matter such as sand, or a combination thereof.

[0125] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may include a flywheel body 650 having a radially outer surface 652, and the flywheel body 650 may be or may include at least partially hollow housings or shells (see, for example...). Figure 26-27In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may include one or more structural support members 658 coupled to the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650, such as by binding the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 together or otherwise structurally supporting the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640. In at least one embodiment, the mass distribution material 660 may be sealed within the flywheel body 650, such as within one or more containers 662, such as within a space or void radially located between the shaft 640 and the radially outer surface 652 within the flywheel body 650. In at least one embodiment, the one or more containers 662 may include a porous material having a pore matrix 654 for accommodating the mass distribution material 660 (e.g., see...). Figure 25 In at least one embodiment, one or more containers 662 may be or may include one or more empty spaces within the flywheel body 650 containing mass distribution material 660 (e.g., see...). Figure 26-27 In at least one embodiment, one or more support members 658 may be disposed within a container 662 within the flywheel body 650, with a first end of the support member connected to a shaft 640 and a second end connected to the flywheel body 650, such as to a radial outer wall or other portion of the flywheel body 650, to at least partially prevent separation of the shaft 640 and the flywheel body 650 during flywheel operation.

[0126] In at least one embodiment, system 600 may include a flywheel shaft 640 coupled between a flywheel 608 and a second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, shaft 640 may include a first shaft portion 640A having one or more magnets 642 and a second shaft portion 640B having one or more magnets 644. In at least one embodiment, magnets 642 may be disposed adjacent to a first end of flywheel 608, and magnets 644 may be disposed adjacent to a second end of flywheel 608. Magnets 642 and 644 may attract each other, thereby being configured to couple flywheel 608 to flywheel shaft 640. In at least one embodiment, magnets 642 and 644 may be configured to couple shaft 640 and flywheel 608 to each other without requiring shaft 640 to pass through or through flywheel 608. In at least one embodiment, flywheel 608 does not need to have a central opening therethrough.

[0127] In at least one embodiment, system 600 may include a motor and / or generator system 603 for rotating flywheel 608 (e.g., via magnetism or other driving means) and / or for generating electricity from the rotation of flywheel 608. Motor and / or generator system 603 may be or may include any flywheel drive and / or generator system configured to operatively communicate with flywheel 608 and / or other components of system 600, whether now known or developed in the future.

[0128] Without departing from the spirit of the applicant's disclosure, other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the above embodiments can be designed. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be used to support any type of motion, such as rotary motion, linear motion, etc. As another example, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be used to form one or more parts of other motion systems, which may include any motion system with conventional bearings, such as aircraft, buses and other vehicles, machinery, heavy machinery, machining tools, generators, trailers, shafts, actuators, or other motion systems. Furthermore, various methods and embodiments of the HTS magnetic bearing system can be combined with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments.

[0129] Discussions of singular elements can include plural elements, and vice versa. A reference to at least one item following a reference to an item can include one or more items. Furthermore, various aspects of the embodiments can be used in combination with each other to achieve the objectives of this disclosure. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprising” or variations such as “including” or “comprises” should be understood to imply at least the inclusion of the stated element or step, or a group of elements or steps, or equivalents thereof, without excluding a larger quantity, or any other element or step, or a group of elements or steps, or equivalents thereof. The apparatus and systems of this disclosure can be used in multiple orientations and orientations. Unless specifically defined, the order of the steps can occur in a variety of orders. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, inserted into said steps, and / or divided into multiple steps. Similarly, the elements have been described functionally, and these elements can be implemented as individual components or combined into components with multiple functions.

[0130] The invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments, and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments by those skilled in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or constrain the scope or applicability of the invention as conceived by the applicant, but rather, in accordance with patent law, the applicant intends to fully protect all such modifications and improvements falling within the scope or equivalent of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising: A first bearing portion has an opening passing through the first bearing portion, a central longitudinal axis, and an inner surface, the opening having a first size; The second bearing portion has an external second dimension and an outer surface, wherein the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension; as well as The flywheel is connected to the second bearing section; Wherein, one of the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion includes a first magnet; The other of the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion is at least partially constituted by a second magnet and includes a third magnet; The second bearing portion is at least partially disposed within the opening passing through the first bearing portion, and a gap exists between the outer surface of the second bearing portion and the inner surface of the first bearing portion; and The second bearing portion is configured to rotate relative to the first bearing portion about the central longitudinal axis of the first bearing portion; It also includes a fourth magnet and a fifth magnet; The fourth magnet is connected to a bearing portion including the third magnet; The fifth magnet is connected to the bearing portion including the first magnet; The fourth magnet and the fifth magnet are configured to repel each other, and Wherein, at least a portion of one of the fourth magnet and the fifth magnet is disposed on at least a portion of the other of the fourth magnet and the fifth magnet.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The flywheel is a layered flywheel, comprising: Multiple first sheets of the first material; and Multiple second sheets of the second material; The plurality of first sheets and the plurality of second sheets are connected together, and one of the plurality of second sheets is disposed between adjacent first sheets in the plurality of first sheets.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of first sheets is configured to fail independently of the failure of any other first sheet among the plurality of first sheets.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The second material is a phase change material.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The flywheel is a porous flywheel, comprising a porous flywheel body having a radial outer surface and an internal pore matrix.

6. The system of claim 5 further includes an annular disk coupled to the radial outer surface of the flywheel body.

7. The system according to claim 5 further includes a plurality of structural support members connected to the flywheel body, the plurality of structural support members being radially outwardly oriented relative to the central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body.

8. The system of claim 5 further includes a mass distribution material sealed within the pore matrix of the flywheel body.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: The flywheel shaft has a first shaft portion with a sixth magnet and a second shaft portion with a seventh magnet; The sixth magnet is disposed adjacent to the first end of the flywheel; The seventh magnet is disposed adjacent to the second end of the flywheel, wherein the second end of the flywheel is opposite to the first end of the flywheel; and The sixth magnet and the seventh magnet attract each other and are configured to connect the flywheel to the flywheel shaft.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first magnet and the third magnet are configured to at least partially impede longitudinal movement of the second bearing portion.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The first magnet and the third magnet are also configured to at least partially impede lateral movement of the second bearing portion.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first magnet and the third magnet have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and set at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the central longitudinal axis.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein, One of the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion is at least partially composed of a high-temperature superconductor; and wherein the high-temperature superconductor and the second magnet have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and arranged parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the first magnet, the second magnet, and the third magnet is a toroidal magnet.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein, The annular magnet comprises multiple magnet segments.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The fourth and fifth magnets are configured to at least partially impede longitudinal movement of the second bearing portion.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The fourth and fifth magnets are also configured to at least partially impede lateral movement of the second bearing portion.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The fourth magnet and the fifth magnet have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and angled relative to the central longitudinal axis.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The flywheel includes a shaft having an outer surface, a flywheel body rotatably fixed about the outer surface of the shaft, and one or more containers within the flywheel body.

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