A system equipped with a flywheel

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to bearing systems, and more specifically to bearing and flywheel systems incorporating high-temperature superconductors and their applications. [Background technology]

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

[0003] Description of research and development funded by the federal government. Not applicable.

[0004] Refer to the attached documents. Not applicable.

[0005] Explanation of conventional technology Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) are a robust alternative technology with a history of over 100 years, being inexpensive, durable, and non-toxic. They allow for virtually unrestricted charge-discharge cycles, have high power / energy density, and can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions, including high temperatures. The main obstacles to large-scale use can be broadly divided into two categories: flywheel strength and energy loss.

[0006] A flywheel stores kinetic energy in the rotational inertia of a large steel or composite cylinder, which is accelerated and decelerated using an electric motor / generator system. The stored energy is proportional to the mass, the square of the radius, and the square of the angular velocity.

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[0007] In a flywheel composed of thin discs, the moment of inertia is as follows:

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[0008] To utilize the omega-squared term, the flywheel needs to rotate as fast as possible. In other words, the factors determining the system's energy density are the strength and stiffness of the flywheel material used.

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[0009] There are generally two approaches to flywheel materials: very high tensile strength composites and high-density steel. High tensile strength composites are relatively expensive, while high-density steel is relatively inexpensive but has a low energy density, raising concerns about the aforementioned failure.

[0010] Losses in flywheel energy storage systems are generally divided into two types: losses due to bearings and losses due to electromechanical components (motor / generator systems). Conventional bearing systems typically include various components that are mechanically coupled to one another, such as roller bearings arranged in a race. Such systems are subject to various limitations, including limitations due to friction. Lubricants such as grease or oil can be used to reduce the adverse effects of friction, such as heat generation, but friction still makes conventional systems insufficient for certain applications. Therefore, many conventional moving systems have been limited by friction between the air and the body moving through it, or by friction within the body itself, such as between bearings, gears, or other components. Examples of conventional applications that are limited by friction include virtually any machine with moving parts, such as wheels that rotate around an axle, blades that rotate around a support, generators, turbines, pulleys, and flywheel energy storage systems.

[0011] 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, which states that a collection of magnets generally cannot passively achieve a stable equilibrium state, bearings using magnets can be actively stabilized with a constant input power. Therefore, an external stabilization force is required. Many commercially available systems achieve this external stabilization using actively controlled electromagnet-based systems, but at the cost of increased energy consumption and complexity.

[0012] High-temperature superconducting (HTS) bearings can solve this problem by providing passive stabilization and levitation. HTS materials enable passively stable levitation due to two unique features: the first feature, the Meissner effect, which expels any magnetic field when the superconductor is cooled below its critical temperature; and the second feature, magnetic flux pinning, which traps magnetic flux lines in the material and provides a restoring force that returns the magnet to its fixed relative orientation with respect to the superconductor.

[0013] However, at least some of the HTS bearings currently on the market have several problems. The first problem is called flux creep, in which when there is a gradient in the magnetic field, the thermally activated "creep" of magnetic flux between pinning sites is accelerated until the gradient disappears. In effect, for bearings that rely on HTS materials for levitation, this means that the operable time is limited until the system needs to be warmed up or cooled down. When the HTS needs to provide a large lifting force, this time is shortened. The second problem faced by at least some conventional HTS bearings is that, depending on the arrangement of the HTS and the magnets, the load-bearing capacity is limited because permanent magnets are partially used for lifting and the rest relies on the HTS.

[0014] These problems generally require HTS of relatively large mass, which in turn requires large cooling capacity, outweighing the benefits of passive stabilization. There is a need in the art for improved bearings, flywheel systems and methods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present disclosure provides a superconducting magnet bearing system that may include first and second bearing portions movably coupled to each other. One of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially composed of one or more high-temperature superconductor ("HTS") materials. The other of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially composed of one or more magnets or other magnetic materials. The HTS bearing portion, or the bearing portion composed of HTS, may also be provided with one or more magnets or other magnetic materials.

[0016] The superconducting magnet bearing system may include a first bearing portion coupled to a support, which may have external dimensions and an external surface. The first bearing portion may, but is not limited to, be fixed to the support. The first bearing portion may include an opening and an internal surface, for example, an opening having dimensions larger than the external dimensions of the second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially composed of a high-temperature superconductor, and the other of the first and second bearing portions may be at least partially composed 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 surface of the first bearing portion and the surface of the second bearing portion.

[0017] The system may include a cooling system having a cooling assembly coupled to the HTS bearing section. The cooling assembly may include a cryostat, and the bearing section may be at least partially located within the cryostat. At least a portion of the cooling assembly may be located in the gap or other space between the first and second bearing sections. The cooling system may include an interface section configured for thermal communication, which may be configured to communicate with one or more bearing sections. The two or more bearing sections may be coupled to each other so as to be movable, in which case this may include flux pinning and / or one or more other coupling methods. One bearing section can be adapted to rotate around the other bearing sections. The gap or other space between the bearing sections may be at least substantially uniform, and the first and second bearing sections can be adapted such that the gap remains at least substantially uniform during the movement of one or more bearing sections. At least one bearing section may include multiple sections, segments, pieces, or other bearing sections.

[0018] The HTS bearing portion may include one or more magnets, and the magnet bearing portion may include one or more magnets in addition to one or more other portions. The system may include one or more active or passive control systems, sensing systems, cooling systems, or other systems. The method may include one or more methods of forming, assembling, manufacturing, using, implementing and / or operating one or more superconducting magnet bearing systems or any part thereof. The method may include cooling one or more superconducting magnet bearing systems or any part thereof. The method may include coupling one or more superconducting magnet bearing portions in a stable relationship, and configuring at least one bearing portion to support a load. The method may include forming a bearing portion from a plurality of magnetic rings or other annular portions, and coupling the bearing portion to the HTS bearing portion. The method may include controlling the relationship between two or more bearing portions using a magnetic control system, which may include an electromagnetic control system.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the bearing and flywheel system may include a first bearing portion having an opening extending therethrough with a first dimension and a central longitudinal axis, a second bearing portion having a second dimension smaller than the first dimension, 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 extending 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 around the central longitudinal axis of the first bearing portion.

[0020] 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 the 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 can be biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet may be configured to resist, at least partially, the longitudinal and / or radial movement of the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet may be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the first magnet and the third magnet may be configured to at least partially resist the longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet and the third magnet may be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces that are angled with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

[0023] 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 resisting at least partially the longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion relative to the first bearing portion. The fourth and fifth magnets may be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces that are angled with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

[0024] For example, the first and third magnets may be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces having a first angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis, and the fourth and fifth magnets may be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces having a second angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis. The first and second angles may be equal 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.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, at least one of the first, second, and third magnets may be an annular magnet. The annular magnet may include a plurality of magnetic segments.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a layered flywheel comprising sheets, rings, or other layers of a first material and sheets, rings, or other layers of a second material. In at least one embodiment, the layers are arranged alternately, and in this case, the first and second material layers are bonded together such that one of the second material layers is positioned between adjacent first material layers. In at least one embodiment, the first material layer may be configured to break independently of any other first material layer. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials are arranged alternately in a concentric ring. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials are arranged alternately along the longitudinal axis.

[0027] 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 may be configured to reinforce the first material and / or prevent its breakage.

[0028] 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.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, the system may include a shaft coupled between the flywheel and the second bearing portion, or separately coupled thereto, 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.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a porous flywheel comprising a porous flywheel body having a radially oriented outer surface and an internal pore matrix. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc may be bonded to the radially oriented outer surface of the flywheel body. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of structural support members may be bonded 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-dispersing material may be sealed within the pore matrix of the flywheel body.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, the system may further include a flywheel shaft coupled between the flywheel and the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the shaft can 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 positioned adjacent to the first end of the flywheel. In at least one embodiment, the fifth magnet may be positioned adjacent to the second end of the flywheel. In at least one embodiment, the fourth and fifth magnets may be configured to attract each other, thereby coupling the flywheel to the flywheel shaft. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This shows an isometric view of one of many embodiments of the bearing system relating to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic cross-sectional top views of the embodiments. [Figure 4] This is a detailed schematic diagram of a part of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of another configuration among the many configurations shown in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This diagram shows a schematic side view of another embodiment among the many embodiments of the bearing system relating to this disclosure. [Figure 6A] This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system having a control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This diagram shows a cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system according to this disclosure. [Figure 8] This shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment among many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This shows an isometric view of one of many embodiments of the wheel assembly relating to this disclosure. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the embodiment. [Figure 11] This is another schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 9. [Figure 12] Figures 9 to 11 are schematic cross-sectional top views of the embodiments. [Figure 13] This shows an isometric view of one of the many embodiments of the conveyor system relating to this disclosure. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a schematic end view of the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figures 13 to 14 are schematic side views of the embodiments. [Figure 16] This is a schematic detail view of a part of Figure 15. [Figure 17] This shows an isometric view of one of many embodiments of the turbine system relating to this disclosure. [Figure 18] Figure 17 is a schematic end view of the embodiment. [Figure 19] Figures 17 and 18 are schematic cross-sectional views of the embodiments. [Figure 20] This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment among many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 21] This is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing one of many embodiments of the bearing and flywheel system relating to this disclosure. [Figure 22] This is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing one of many embodiments of the layered flywheel assembly relating to this disclosure. [Figure 23] This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment among many embodiments of the layered flywheel assembly relating to this disclosure. [Figure 24] This is a schematic cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment among many embodiments of the layered flywheel assembly relating to this disclosure. [Figure 25] This is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing one of many embodiments of the porous flywheel assembly relating to this disclosure. [Figure 26] This is a schematic top view of yet another embodiment among the many embodiments of the porous flywheel assembly relating to this disclosure. [Figure 27] Figure 26 is a schematic side view of a partial cross-section of the flywheel assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The drawings described above and the following written descriptions of specific structures and functions are not presented to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the attached claims. Rather, the drawings and written descriptions are provided to instruct those skilled in the art to create and use the invention for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will understand that not all features of the commercial embodiments of this disclosure are described or shown for clarity and understanding. Those skilled in the art will also understand that developing actual commercial embodiments incorporating 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, but are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other constraints, and may vary depending on the specific implementation, location, and time. The developer's efforts may be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, but nevertheless, such efforts are routine for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure. It should be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous different modifications and alternative forms. Finally, although not limited thereto, the use of singular terms such as "a" is not intended to limit the number of items. Also, although not limited thereto, the use of relational terms such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "up," "down," "downward," "upward," and "side" is used in written descriptions to clarify that specific references are to the drawings and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention or the appended claims. Generally, when referring to such elements, numbers without letters are used. Also, such designations do not limit the number of elements that can be used for their function. Also, although not limited thereto, identifiers such as "first," "second," and "third" are similarly used in written descriptions for clarity and are not intended to limit unless otherwise explicitly stated. For example, by any method of defining such bearing parts in the embodiments and / or claims of this disclosure, for example, the "first" bearing part may be a rotor, the "second" bearing part may be a stator, or vice versa.

[0034] The terms “coupled,” “coupled,” “to couple,” and “coupler” are used broadly herein and may include any method or apparatus for fixing, joining, bonding, fastening, mounting, joining, inserting into, forming on or inside, communicating with, or otherwise relating one or more member pieces together, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, or operably, directly or indirectly using intermediate elements, and may further include, without limitation, forming one functional member integrally with another. The coupling may occur in any direction, including rotatably coupling. The terms “including” and “etc.” are illustrative and not limiting. In this specification, the term “can” means “can, but not limited to,” unless otherwise specified. Each structure, component and other item included herein, if present in one or more physical embodiments of the present invention, will have certain inherent physical properties such as dimensions (e.g., height, width, length, diameter), mass, weight, virtual axis, cross-section, etc. Whether or not such properties exist as expressly described or referred to herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that such items exist in one or more environments. In this specification, terms such as “friction reduction” and “low friction” generally mean exhibiting or being subjected to less friction than conventional systems in similar applications (e.g., roller bearings), including systems that do not contain high-temperature superconductor ("HTS") materials.

[0035] This disclosure provides at least a friction-reducing bearing system for supporting the low-friction movement of one or more components, such as a flywheel. The bearing system may include one or more bearing parts, and in at least one embodiment, one or more bearing parts may include one or more bearing sections. One bearing part can move relative to the other bearing part, for example, by rotating around the other bearing part or by rotating separately thereto. The at least one bearing part can support a load and may include one or more supports or be coupled separately thereto. In at least one embodiment, the bearing sections can be oriented at various angles relative to adjacent sections. The at least one bearing system according to this disclosure can support low-friction movement in a variety of applications, such as flywheel assemblies.

[0036] The superconducting magnetic bearing system may include a first bearing section and a second bearing section. One of the first and second bearing sections may be at least partially composed of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS), and the other may be at least partially composed of a magnet. The first bearing section may be at least partially positioned within an opening in the second bearing section such that there is a gap between the first and second sections. The magnetic bearing section may include a plurality of rings arranged adjacent to each other. The HTS bearing section may include a magnet. The bearing sections can be biased toward a direction in which they align with each other. One bearing section can rotate relative to the other bearing sections.

[0037] In at least one embodiment, the bearing and flywheel system may include a first bearing portion having a through-hole having a first dimension and a central longitudinal axis, a second bearing portion having a second dimension smaller than the first dimension, and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion. The bearing portion may be composed of HTS and / or magnets. The second bearing portion may be at least partially disposed within the opening that passes 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 other axis) of the first bearing portion. In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), the second bearing portion may be a rotor and the first bearing portion may be a stator. However, it is not limited to this, and in at least one embodiment, the second bearing portion may be a stator and the first bearing portion may be a rotor.

[0038] 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 the 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 such that the second bearing portion is biased toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis.

[0039] In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet, and / or the first magnet and the third magnet may be configured to at least partially resist the 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 may be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

[0040] 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 resisting at least partially the 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 at an angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis. For example, the first and third magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and at a first angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis, and the fourth and fifth magnets may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and at a second angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis. Any of the magnets may be integral or consist of two or more magnet portions, as required or desired by the particular physical implementation of the present disclosure.

[0041] 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, the layers are arranged alternately, in which case the first material layers and the second material layers are joined together by having one of the second material layers positioned between adjacent first material layers (i.e., if there are two or more first material layers). In at least one embodiment, the first material layers may be configured to break independently of the failure of any other first material layer. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials are arranged alternately in a concentric ring. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials are arranged alternately along the longitudinal axis.

[0042] 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 coupled between 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 separate the flywheel from the shaft.

[0043] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a porous flywheel comprising a porous flywheel body having a radially oriented outer surface and an internal matrix of pores. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc, or other barrier such as a strip or wall may be bonded to the radially oriented outer surface of the flywheel body to seal the pores. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of structural support members may be bonded 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-dispersing material may be sealed within the matrix of pores of the flywheel body.

[0044] In at least one embodiment, the system may include a flywheel shaft, which may include one or more shaft portions, which may be coupled to and / or part thereof 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, such as a rotor bearing portion, or separately coupled to them. In at least one embodiment, the shaft may include a first shaft portion having a magnet and a second shaft portion having a magnet. In at least one embodiment, one magnet may be positioned adjacent to a first end of the flywheel, and another magnet may be positioned adjacent to a second end of the flywheel. The magnets may be able to attract each other, and the flywheel may be coupled to the flywheel shaft by positioning or sandwiching at least a portion of the flywheel between the magnets.

[0045] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of one of many embodiments of the bearing system according to the Disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a detailed schematic view of a part of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of another arrangement among many arrangements of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 according to the Disclosure. Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment among many embodiments of the bearing system according to the Disclosure. Figure 6A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of the bearing system having a control system according to the Disclosure. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of the bearing system having a cooling system according to the Disclosure. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment among many embodiments of the bearing system having a cooling system according to the Disclosure. Figures 1 to 8 are described in relation to each other.

[0046] The bearing system 100 may include a plurality of bearing parts for supporting relative motion to one another, such as a first bearing part 102 and a second bearing part 104. For convenience and brevity, the first bearing part 102, the second bearing part 104 and one or more other bearing parts may be described herein as “bearing part” or simply “part” (e.g., “part 102”) followed by a corresponding reference number. As will be further described below, the bearing parts 102, 104 may be rotatably coupled to one another to allow one to rotate relative to the other. The first and second parts 102, 104 may be cylindrical, and in this case 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 parts 102, 104 may be annular, ring-shaped, or tubular. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 for illustrative purposes, the first and second parts 102 and 104 may each have through openings 106 and 108, such as a central opening or hole. However, the invention is not limited thereto; for example, part 102 does not need to have a through opening. Rather, part 102 may have a solid cross-section, which may be disc-shaped or pack-shaped. The first and second parts 102 and 104 may be arranged around an axis A, such as a central longitudinal axis, which may be any axis required by the particular application, including an axis around which one or more bearing parts can rotate. The bearing part 104 may have inner and outer surfaces, such as an inner surface 104A and an outer surface 104B. Similarly, part 102 may have inner and outer surfaces, such as an inner surface 102A (see Figure 2) and an outer surface 102B (for example, in embodiments where part 102 is annular).

[0047] The system 100 may include one or more supports 110 for holding or separately supporting one or more of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104. For example, the bearing portions may be coupled individually or in combination with one or more other components to supports each bearing portion at least partially. In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the support 110 may be an axle, rod, tube, or other support (e.g., as described elsewhere in this specification), and the bearing portion 102 may be coupled thereto. The portion 102 may be coupled to one or more supports, such as the support 110, in any manner required by the particular application, which may include, but is not limited to, the use of one or more couplings, such as fasteners, adhesives, or other couplings, for holding one or more components in place. Alternatively or collectively, the portion 102 may be coupled to the support 110, in whole or in part, without the use of fasteners, for example, by pressure fitting to the support 110 or being formed integrally with it. Continuing to refer to Figures 1 to 8, and more specifically Figures 2 to 3, the system 100 may include a housing 112 for at least partially covering or separately supporting one or more bearing portions. For example, the housing 112 may be coupled to the outer portion of the bearing portion 104, which may include at least a portion of the outer surface 104B. In at least one embodiment, such as one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below, the housing 112 may be or include one or more elastic members or other components for communicating with or cooperating with other parts of a moving system, such as a conveyor or transport system. For example, in at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the bearing system 100 may be at least part of a wheel assembly, the bearing portion 104 may be coupled to a wheel (including forming part thereof), and the housing 112 may be a tire coupled to the wheel, or include such a tire. In such embodiments, the bearing portion 104 and / or the housing 112 may be configured to communicate with a support surface, such as a road or track, for movement along thereof.For example, the outer surface 104B of the bearing portion 104 (and, if present, the housing 112) may include grooves or notches for movement along the raceway, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, these components may be flat, curved, contoured, or other shapes as required by the particular application.

[0048] For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 for illustrative purposes, the bearing portions 102 and 104 may be annular, but are not limited thereto, and each may consist of a single body. However, without limitation, one or more of the bearing portions 102 and 104 may include one or more sub-parts such as segments, sections, or pieces arranged relative to each other to form or approximate a ring or similar shape (see Figure 6). For example, the bearing portion 102 may include a plurality of sub-parts 114A, 114B, 114C (...114n) (collectively referred to as sub-part 114), and the bearing portion 104 may include a plurality of sub-parts 116A, 116B, 116C (...116n) (collectively referred to as sub-part 116). According to a particular embodiment, if the bearing portion consists of sub-parts, the bearing portions 102 and 104 may include any number of sub-parts 114, 116, such as two, three, up to several dozen, or more. If sub-parts exist, their number may depend on any number of implementation-specific factors, such as the availability of radially magnetized annular rings, the cost / benefit of using an integrated annular ring for two or more ring segments or other parts, or other considerations. For example, radially magnetizing an integrated ring is time-consuming and / or expensive, and in at least one embodiment, it may be easier and / or cheaper to approximate a radially magnetized annular ring using substantially radially magnetized arc segments, or multiple flat or other shaped magnets arranged in a polyhedral shape approximating a circular or ring shape. The segments or other parts can similarly be magnetized radially or otherwise to form or approximately form one or more rings (some of which may include, for example, system 120 or bearing parts 102, 104). Furthermore, the sub-parts may be joined to one another, such as being arranged adjacent to one another, in any manner required by the particular application (with or without gaps or other materials present between them), and in this case, the use of one or more connectors 118A, 118B, 118C (collectively referred to as connector 118) for joining one or more sub-parts to one or more others may be included, but is not limited to this.The coupler 118 may be or include any type of coupler required by a particular application, and may be coupled to two or more sub-parts in any way, such as being coupled individually or in combination to the interior, exterior, or sides of the sub-parts. In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the coupler 118 may include, but is not limited to, a substrate or base material coupled along one or more sides of a plurality of adjacent sub-parts, and may include a substrate coupled to both the interior and exterior portions of such sub-parts or to both the interior and exterior surfaces. Alternatively or collectively, the coupler 118 may include one or more couplers or parts thereof positioned between adjacent segments (e.g., coupler 118C).

[0049] Referring again to Figures 1 to 8, the configuration and coupling of the first and second bearing sections 102 and 104 will now be described in more detail. Generally, one of the first and second bearing sections 102 and 104 may be composed at least partially of a superconductor such as a high-temperature superconductor (also known as "HTS" or "high Tc") material, and the other of the first and second bearing sections 102 and 104 may be composed at least partially of a magnetized material or a magnet. For example, the inner bearing section 102 may include one or more HTS sections, and the outer bearing section 104 may include one or more magnets. As another example, the inner bearing section 102 may include one or more magnets, and the outer bearing section 104 may include one or more HTS sections. In this specification, the terms "inner" and "outer" are used for convenience and illustrative purposes to refer to, but are not limited to, one or more of the exemplary embodiments (some of many) shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the bearing portion 102 may be referred to as the internal portion, while the bearing portion 104 may be referred to as the external portion. Similarly, as described elsewhere in this specification, certain bearing portions (which may include any bearing portion) may contain HTS material, while other bearing portions (which may include any other bearing portion) may contain one or more magnets (or magnetic materials). Therefore, for convenience and clarity, such portions may be referred to herein as "HTS bearing portion" and "magnetic (or magnetic) bearing portion," respectively. An HTS bearing portion may be formed uniformly from a single HTS material, but is not limited thereto; alternatively, it may be formed by combining multiple HTS materials and / or combining them with one or more non-HTS materials. Similarly, a magnetic bearing portion may be formed uniformly from a single magnetic material, but is not limited thereto; alternatively, it may be formed by combining one or more magnetic materials and / or combining them with one or more non-magnetic materials. The magnetic bearing portion may be formed from, for example, one or more permanent magnets (e.g., rare earth magnets, other ferromagnetic materials, etc.), but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, it may consist of or include one or more electromagnets, either individually or in combination with the permanent magnets.

[0050] System 100 may comprise bearing portions (e.g., first and second bearing portions 102, 104) made of any type of HTS material suitable for a particular application, whether currently known or to be developed in the future. For example, it is anticipated that materials capable of exhibiting superconducting properties at higher transition temperatures (compared to currently known materials) may become known in the future, and one or more of these may be suitable for use in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, a material that exhibits superconducting properties at room temperature or near ambient temperature (e.g., in the range of about 0°F to about 100°F) can, of course, be used in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, taking into account one or more other implementation-specific factors, such as mechanical properties or other factors, which can be understood by those skilled in the art to benefit from the present disclosure. An example of a known HTS material suitable for use in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is HgBa2Ca2Cu3O x ,Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O 10 (BSCCO) and YBa2Cu3O (7-X) Superconductors of type II include, but are not limited to, copper oxide superconductors containing (yttrium-barium-copper oxide or YBCO), and iron-based superconductors containing 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 today. However, at least one embodiment of this disclosure may include any superconductor having flux pinning properties as described elsewhere in this specification. For example, certain types of YBCO, known as "melt-organized" YBCO, can be useful in some applications of the present invention because the domains of the material can be oriented along the same direction, which in some cases can enable a relatively high levitation force (compared to some other HTS materials). In this process, after preparing the YBCO, a "seed" material (e.g., MgO or Sm) is added to orient the remaining material. 123A single crystal of YBCO (which can be used) is placed in YBCO and melted again. An example of the process for synthesizing melt-textured YBCO is described in available literature (see, for example, Litzkendorf D. et al., Batch-processing and bonding of melt-textured applications YBCO for motor, 5107, 1-4 (1998)). Briefly speaking, it involves using commercially available pre-reacted YBa2Cu3O with an excess of Y2O3. (7-X)Powders can be used. These materials may be uniformly mixed, for example, by forming a cylindrical block using a uniaxial press. The block may be heated in a furnace by a melt growth process (e.g., using the “seed” material described above), slowly cooled, and finally oxygenated in another procedure. Alternatively, the superconductor can be manufactured in blocks of different shapes, such as bars or other blocks with cross-sectional shapes such as square, rectangular, elliptical, or oblong. The lifespan of the HTS may depend on its environment, and one or more conditions may lead to the degradation of the HTS over time. For example, since YBCO can react with water, humidity in the air or another environment, if the humidity exceeds 40%, may lead to the degradation of YBCO (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 such cases, the surface of the HTS block may degrade before the inner parts, potentially forming a barrier that slows down the degradation of the remaining material. For example, in applications such as levitation, the properties of the bulk material may be more important than those of the surface, but this is not always the case. In one study, YBCO exposed to water was observed to lose approximately 12.5% ​​of its buoyancy after 20 hours from synthesis, and then stabilize thereafter (see Sriram MA, Ponce L., and Murr LE, Modeling superconductor degradation using magnetic levitation, Applied Physics Letters 58, 1208-1210 (1991)). Furthermore, in this study, no observable degradation was observed in YBCO that was not exposed to humidity for more than one month (ibid.). Also, as will be explained in more detail below, materials can be protected from air and humidity to ensure their long-term use.As another example, HTS materials can degrade when oxygen diffuses from the material. In other words, because the amount of oxygen in an HTS material is important for its superconducting properties, the diffusion of oxygen can cause the superconductivity to decrease over time. Oxygen can diffuse more quickly when the material is heated to a relatively high temperature. When the material is at a relatively low temperature (the temperature required for the superconductivity of current YBCO), the diffusion of oxygen from the material can be suppressed, at least partially (Truchly M. et al., Studies of YBa2Cu3O). 6+x (See Degradation and Surface Conductivity Properties by Scanning Spreading Resistance Microscopy). Therefore, the degradation of HTS can be reduced, at least partially, in environments that do not contain air (such as pure nitrogen or a vacuum) and have relatively low temperatures (such as the temperature of liquid nitrogen). In the future, one or more materials that are not subject to (or are subject to at least fewer of) the above limitations may be discovered. The HTS materials referred to herein and other HTS materials may be used individually or in combination with each other or with one or more other materials, as required by the specific applications of this disclosure.

[0051] Furthermore, the system 100 may include bearing sections (e.g., first and second bearing sections 102, 104) made of any type of magnet (e.g., magnetic material or magnetizing material) suitable for a particular application, whether currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of known magnets suitable for use in one or more embodiments of this disclosure include Nd2Fe 14B (neodymium magnet) and SmCo5 (samarium-cobalt alloy magnet) may be mentioned, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As another example, magnets made of alloys such as iron and nickel, cobalt and / or aluminum, or materials such as titanium, copper and / or niobium may be mentioned. Alternatively or collectively, one or more electromagnets can be used. In embodiments where the magnetic bearing portion is annular or similarly shaped (which may be either of the bearing portions 102, 104, as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein), the bearing portion (or one or more rings thereof) may be continuous, or alternatively may be composed of a plurality of segments, arcs, or other sub-pieces. In the latter case, in at least some embodiments, it is advantageous for the divided portions to approximate a non-divided structure as far as is practicable under the circumstances (taking into account factors such as cost, material availability, size, and application), which can at least partially reduce the non-uniformity of the radial magnetic field in the circumferential direction, and thus the possibility of resistance to rotation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and varying the magnitude of the resistance may be permitted in one or more other embodiments or applications of the applicant's disclosure.

[0052] To describe the coupling of the bearing portions, the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 may be coupled to each other by magnetic communication 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). Such communication may be based at least in part on the properties of the high-temperature superconductor and the magnet, and the manner in which these materials interact with each other. More specifically, as effects that can be utilized in the present disclosure, there are two effects: the Meissner effect and magnetic flux pinning. The Meissner effect refers to the superconducting transition temperature (T c ), it can also be said that magnetic flux lines are repelled from the superconductor when cooled down, or the magnetic field is expelled from the superconductor when transitioning to the superconducting state. The magnetic field is T c may be expelled when cooled through. In type II superconductors, H c1 and H C2 there can be two critical magnetic fields. The magnetic field present in a particular application is H c1If the magnetic field is smaller, there may be no magnetic field penetrating the superconductor. c1 and H C2 When the magnetic field is between H and H, it can penetrate a part of the material. C2 Beyond a certain threshold, superconductivity is at least partially suppressed, potentially causing the material to cease being superconducting. The term "magnetic flux pinning" can refer to the effect exhibited by Type II superconductors (including HTS materials). Magnetic flux can be defined as the component of a magnetic field passing through a particular surface. Magnetic flux pinning can occur, for example, in Type II superconductors, because the HTS material contains both non-superconducting and superconducting regions. Since magnetic flux can pass through the former (non-superconducting) region but not the latter (superconducting) region, a magnet may be effectively "pinned" to the corresponding HTS structure. This "magnetic flux pinning" effect may, for example, cause a superconductor to levitate above a magnet, or vice versa. The load-bearing capacity of the levitated component may depend at least partially on the surface area of ​​each component, among other factors, such as the quality or type of HTS material used, or the critical magnetic field (H). C2 ) or critical current density (J c These can all be changed depending on the type of HTS material.

[0053] Continuing to refer to Figures 1 to 4, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a disc-shaped or ring-shaped first bearing portion 102 and an annular second bearing portion 104 rotatably coupled to the first portion, as will be further described below. In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the first portion 102 may be an HTS portion, and the second portion 104 may be a magnetic portion, or vice versa. The second bearing portion 104 may be magnetically coupled to portion 102 via a gap 126, such as uniform, non-uniform, fixed, variable, or other space between them. In at least one embodiment, the gap 126 may be adapted to allow one bearing portion to rotate around the other bearing portion without physical contact between the bearing portions. The bearing material may have alternative shapes other than discs and rings, as will be described elsewhere in this specification. The first portion 102 may be an HTS portion, or it may be, for example, ring-shaped (or other shapes having one or more openings through which it passes). In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), the support 110 may be coupled to the first part 102, may be positioned within the opening 106, and may be adapted to support the cooling of the bearing portion. For example, the support 110 (e.g., an axle, spindle, or other support) may be made at least partially of a thermal conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminum, or other metal) and may be coupled to the bearing portion 102 to be thermally in communication with it in order to remove heat therefrom. In another example, the support 110 may be positioned partially within or adjacent to the bearing portion 102, without having to pass through the bearing portion 102, but nevertheless remaining in a support relationship and / or heat transfer relationship. The bearing portion 102 and the support 110 may, but are not limited 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) positioned at least partially between them.

[0054] For illustrative purposes, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second bearing section 104 may include a magnetic ring for coupling with the HTS first bearing section 102 (alternatively, the first bearing section 102 may include a magnetic ring for coupling with the HTS second bearing section 104). In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the second bearing section 104 (or possibly the first section 102) may include a plurality of magnetic rings coupled to one another, for example, two, three, four or up to twelve or more, which may be arranged adjacent to one another (whether or not they are in direct contact). As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the bearing section 104 (or section 102, see, for example, Figure 8) may include three magnetic rings 120A, 120B, and 120C (collectively, ring 120). However, this is merely an example, and the number of rings may be more or fewer (including one ring). Each ring 120 may be magnetized to have one pole on a first side or first surface, such as the inner surface 122, and one pole on a second side or second surface, such as the outer surface 124. As described elsewhere in this specification, in practice, multiple arc segments can be magnetized alternatively and coupled together to at least approximate the magnetization of one or more rings 120 (the term "ring" as used herein includes both single rings and segmented rings formed from multiple pieces, unless otherwise specified). The rings 120 may be coupled together to form a relatively large or increased gradient in the axial direction while maintaining a relatively uniform magnetic field in the circumferential direction, as shown by the magnetic flux line B (simplified for clarity) in Figure 4, for example (see also Figure 5 below). Variables such as the magnitude of the gradient and the uniformity of the magnetic field are, of course, implementation-specific and can vary depending on the application, and can also depend on any number of considerations, individually or in combination depending on the application, such as the type of material, the strength of the magnets, the size of the magnets, the load-bearing requirements, the load conditions, the temperature, and other factors (e.g., those discussed elsewhere in this specification).For example, a steep gradient in the circumferential direction can cause a force that acts substantially like friction on the HTS material (and thus causes energy loss), so the uniformity of the magnetic field of the magnets may be important, however, the rings 120 do not need to be perfectly uniform with respect to each other. For example, at least one prior study has shown that even without a perfectly uniform magnetic field, the torque resulting from non-uniformity at the superconductor-magnet interface is small and velocity-independent (see Lee E., Ma K., Wilson TL and Chu W.-K., Superconductor-magnet bearings with inherent stability and velocity-independent drag torque, 1999 IEEE / ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (1999)). Furthermore, when examining the effect of the air gap between the magnets on the levitation force, it was found that when the air gap between the magnets examined was 0.5 mm, the variation in the levitation force at a levitation height of 15 mm was less than 1%. In other words, in this study, the superconductor was more than 10 mm away from the surface of the magnet, so in this configuration, the superconductor could not easily "observe" the fluctuations in the magnetic field (see Liu M., Wang S., Wang J., and 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 Novel Magnetism 21, 431-435 (2008)).

[0055] Returning to the structure and arrangement of the present invention, the system 100 may include, for example, a plurality of rings 120 arranged such that their inner surfaces 122 are NSN (where "N" is north and "S" is south) and their outer surfaces 124 are SNS in the axial direction (see, for example, Figure 4). In another example, the rings 120 may be coupled so that their inner surfaces 122 are SNS and their outer surfaces 124 are NSN (see, for example, Figure 5). As shown by these two exemplary embodiments (two of many embodiments), the rings 120 can cooperate with each other to form an axial (i.e., horizontal as shown in Figure 5) magnetic field gradient that at least partially resists or prevents the axial movement of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 relative to each other (see, for example, the simplified magnetic flux line B in Figure 5). Rings 120A and 120B (or "AB") and rings 120B and 120C (or "BC") can generate forces in both directions (i.e., left and right as shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5). If the HTS section is moved (or subjected to a force attempting to move it) to the left, for example (see Figure 5), BC can "pull" the HTS section back, biasing it toward the center or another position relative to the magnet section, and AB can "push" the HTS section back, biasing it toward that position. Similarly, if the HTS section is moved (or subjected to a force attempting to move it) to the right (as shown in Figure 5 for illustrative purposes), BC can "push" against that movement, and AB can "pull" against that movement. This may occur because the HTS "attempts" to maintain the same configuration of magnetic flux pinned within it. In other words, as the magnetic field moves relative to the HTS, the HTS tends to move in a direction that allows it to recover to a previous configuration, such as the default configuration (for example, it can return to the central position on ring 120B in the case of Figure 5). In this way, the magnetic relationships between rings 120A and 120B, and between rings 120B and 120C, for example, can generate forces that tend to bias the bearing portion 104 toward the central (or possibly other) position relative to the bearing portion 102 (the HTS bearing portion in the example of Figure 5), or vice versa.

[0056] Embodiments of the present disclosure may alternatively include other arrangements and numbers of rings. For example, system 100 may include bearing sections 102, 104 having five rings arranged such that the inner or outer surfaces are SNSNS (opposing surfaces are NSNSN) or NSNSNSNSN (opposing surfaces are SNSNSNSNS) in the axial direction. As another example, ring 120 may be arranged in an arrangement known as the Halbach arrangement, which helps to reinforce the magnetic field on one side of the magnet. Other arrangements may also be used. For example, ring 120 does not have to be arranged as NSNSN, etc., and may instead be coupled or separately in other arrangements to create sufficient axial magnetic field gradient and circumferential magnetic field uniformity to support a specific application (which may include gradients and uniformity of any size or characteristic), such as up, right, down, left, up. In such configurations, the direction can refer to the direction of the magnet's north or south pole. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5 (one of many embodiments), it can be expressed as north up, north right, north down, north left, north up.

[0057] Due to the magnetic flux pinning effect, in the magnetic field configuration described above for ring 120 for illustrative purposes, bearing portion 104 can rotate or spin circumferentially with respect to bearing portion 102 (e.g., around axis A), but can resist axial displacement (e.g., along axis A). The Meissner effect allows the force between the HTS and the magnet to be maintained radially, preventing the first and second bearing portions from contacting each other, such as when subjected to a load (e.g., a load perpendicular to axis A). The Meissner effect is strengthened when the bearing portions move closer to each other (or are subjected to radial forces that tend to bring them closer to each other), thereby at least partially canceling out such forces, while the magnetic flux pinning effect can effectively bias the bearing portions toward a concentric position as shown in the drawings. In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the surface area of ​​the magnet and the HTS bearing portion can be maximized, which can at least help to maximize the load-bearing capacity of the bearing system. Such maximization is, of course, application-specific and, as will be understood by those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure, can depend on any number of factors, such as size limitations, material and cost limitations, and in particular, material manufacturing methods.

[0058] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, the one or more embodiments described above, can maintain stability under one or more perturbations, as will be described in more detail elsewhere in this specification. Such embodiments may not require active feedback from one or more sensors coupled to a controller, for example, but such control and feedback systems may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, system 100 may include an active feedback or other control system 150 for monitoring or controlling one or more aspects of the system (see Figure 6A). In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), one or more magnets, such as an annular magnet, may be embedded in or separately coupled to one or more bearing sections of the system (which may be any bearing section, such as an HTS section). As shown in Figure 6A for illustrative purposes, magnet (or multiple magnets) 152A may be coupled to bearing section 102 so as to interact repulsively with magnet (or multiple magnets) 152B in bearing section 104. One or more of the magnets 152A, 152B may be, for example, electromagnets, and the repulsive interaction between them can be actively or separately modified individually or in combination by the controller 154, for example, based on feedback or other data from one or more sensors 156 (e.g., pressure, voltage, current, magnetic field, force, temperature, or other sensors). For example, the control system 150 can be adapted to monitor and / or control one or more of the magnets 152A, 152B (if any) based on one or more feedback, measurements, or other inputs, such as to maintain the stability of the system. In at least one embodiment, the system 100 having the control system 150 can be adapted to modify the strength of one or more magnetic fields of the magnets 152A, 152B, for example, to increase, decrease, or otherwise control the load-bearing capacity or load configuration of the system. Of course, it will be understood that the control system 150 is not required to be present in one or more other embodiments of this disclosure, and the system 100 may include one or more magnets 152A, 152B separated from the control system 150.

[0059] As described above, the system 100 may include a housing 112 coupled to the bearing portion 104. In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the housing 112 may be a tire or other structure that contacts and moves against a surface or object. The housing 112 may be made of any material required by the particular application, such as rubber, metal, carbon fiber, plastic, nylon, or other material suitable for contact with the surface to be contacted. The housing 112 and the bearing portion 104 may be coupled in any way required by the particular application, which may include being coupled to each other individually or in combination by fasteners, adhesives, or other couplings. The housing 112 and the portion 104 may be elastically coupled together so that the bearing portion 104 remains coupled in applications where it can be subjected to relatively high rotational speeds. For example, in embodiments in which the system 100 is used in a wheel assembly (as further described below), the total force required to hold a 7 kg wheel (weight not including stationary HTS) at 100,000 RPM may be about 700,000 pounds. However, materials such as carbon fiber have an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 3.5 GPa (with a Young's modulus far exceeding that), which can correspond to approximately 500,000 PSI. Therefore, in such embodiments, a "tire" with a cross-sectional area of ​​several square inches is sufficient to hold the wheel in place during rotation. It is anticipated that the maximum potential rotational speed (RPM) of wheel assemblies utilizing this invention could be further improved as stronger materials (such as carbon nanotubes) become available on the market.

[0060] Continuing with reference to Figures 1 to 8, and more specifically to Figures 7 to 8, system 100 may include a cooling system 200, which is any type of cooling system required by the particular application, such as a heat removal or refrigeration system, for cooling one or more components of the bearing system. For example, the cooling system 200 can maintain one or more HTS components at least partially at a temperature or temperature range sufficient for the HTS material to exhibit superconducting properties (e.g., below the transition temperature or critical temperature at which the electrical resistivity of the material becomes zero). The cooling system 200 is one of many different types of cooling systems known in the art for maintaining low temperatures of superconducting materials or other materials, and can be used individually or in combination. Alternatively, the cooling system 200 can be specifically developed according to the particular application of the present disclosure. For example, the cooling system 200 may be, or include, a closed-cycle refrigeration system or a cryogenic fluid system, individually or in combination. For example, the 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 can exert cooling power through evaporation. As another example, the cooling system 200 may be or include a closed-cycle refrigeration system and may include a fluid (e.g., a gas such as helium) having suitable heat transfer properties, and may provide cooling power by utilizing the processes of compression, heat exchange, and expansion. For example, the cooling system 200 may be or include a so-called Gifford-McMahon refrigerator and may include a compressor and a cold head (e.g., a cold plate) or other cooling structure. In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), one or more components of the system 200 may be arranged distal to each other, but are not limited thereto, and can be made more flexible, as will be described in more detail below.

[0061] As described above, the cooling system 200 may, but is not limited to, include at least a portion of one or more supports 110. For example, the support 110 may be composed at least partially of a thermally conductive material (e.g., copper or another metal) and may be positioned in thermal contact with one or more components of the system 100, such as a bearing portion 102. In embodiments in which the bearing portion 102 includes an HTS material, for example, the support 110 can at least partially cool the HTS material by conduction. Alternatively or collectively, the cooling system 200 may include a cooling assembly 202 for cooling one or more components of the system 100. The cooling assembly 202 may be any type of cooling assembly required by a particular application, including a device adapted to maintain a relatively low temperature within its inner portion 204 for cooling a material located inside or separately thermally bonded thereto. The inner portion 204 may be at least partially insulated from the surrounding environment, such as the atmosphere. The inner portion 204 can be at least partially adapted to resist heat transfer, for example, by conduction, radiation, or separately. Conductive heat transfer (i.e., heat transfer by air molecules through the walls of the cooling assembly) may be at least partially limited by maintaining a vacuum in at least a portion of the inner portion 204, but is not limited thereto. Radiative heat transfer may be at least partially minimized by utilizing so-called super-insulation such as reflecting incident radiation. For example, the cooling assembly 202 (or a portion thereof such as the inner portion 204) may include, individually or in combination, one or more super-insulating materials such as polymers or other aerogels, and one or more super-insulating structures or techniques such as double walls. The cooling assembly 202 may be composed of any material (or combination of materials) required by the particular application, such as metal, glass, plastic, fiberglass, or another material. The cooling assembly 202 may include, but is not limited thereto, one or more intervening portions 206 at least partially located in the gap 126 between the first and second bearing portions 102, 104.In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), the intervening portion 206 is preferably formed of a non-magnetizable material or can be otherwise adapted to at least minimize (or eliminate) any interference or influence on the coupling interaction between the bearing portions 102, 104. For example, the intervening portion 206 (if present) may be designed to occupy the minimum amount of space between the HTS portion and the magnet portion (e.g., in light of the requirements of the particular application at present). In an embodiment where the inner bearing portion 102 is the HTS bearing portion (see, for example, Figure 7), the cooling assembly 202 may comprise one or more portions, such as a first portion 202A and a second portion 202B, coupled to the bearing portion 102 to at least partially maintain the bearing portion 102 within a temperature range (e.g., a cryogenic temperature range). The first and second portions 202A, 202B (and other portions, if present) of the cooling assembly 202 may constitute a single cooling assembly structure or separate cooling assembly structures. In either case, the first and second parts 202A and 202B can be fluidly connected to each other, whether or not they are formed integrally, by being formed integrally with each other, or by being fluidly connected to each other by one or more fluid passages, which may include any one or more of hoses, conduits, fittings, valves and other fluid communication structures as required by the particular application. The cooling assemblies 202 may include one or more openings 208, such as inlets, outlets or other passages, for communicating with each other individually or in combination with one or more other components of the system 100. For example, the system 100 may include one or more fluid sources 210 that supply cooling fluid 214 to the cooling assemblies 202, individually or in combination with one or more other fluid components (e.g., fittings, valves, etc.), for example, via one or more fluid conduits 212. In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the cooling assembly 202 may be or include a cryostat that at least partially surrounds, houses, or is otherwise coupled to the bearing portion 102 and / or the support 110 (see, for example, Figure 7).In such embodiments, the fluid 214 may be a cryogenic fluid or refrigerant such as liquid nitrogen or another fluid, and the fluid source 210 may supply the fluid 214 to the assembly 202 (including one or more parts 202A, 202B) as needed to cool the bearing portion 102 according to a particular application. Furthermore, the assembly 202 may include, but is not limited to, one or more outlets 216 such as vents, one-way or multi-way valves, check valves, or other passages for releasing fluid from the inner portion 204 of the assembly 202. For example, the outlets 216 may allow effluent gases from evaporated or vaporized liquid or other refrigerant to escape from the assembly 202 or a part thereof. In another example, one or more of the first and second parts 202A, 202B of the cooling assembly 202 may be, or include, a cold head positioned in a heat transfer relationship with at least a portion of the bearing portion 102. In such embodiments, one or more of the first and second parts 202A, 202B may be isolated from the environment to perform a similar or identical role to a cryostat in a liquid cryogenic example, but are not limited thereto. The fluid source 210 can circulate the coolant through the assembly 202, including the interior and exterior of each opening 208 (e.g., one or more inlets and one or more outlets). In another embodiment of many embodiments, if the outer bearing portion 104 is an HTS bearing portion (see, for example, Figure 8), the first and second parts 202A, 202B may be thermally coupled to at least a portion of the bearing portion 104. In such embodiments, the first and second parts 202A, 202B of the cooling assembly 202 may be separated from each other, but are not limited thereto. They may be coupled to the bearing portion 104 at any location required by the particular application. As shown in Figure 8 for illustrative purposes, the first and second parts 202A and 202B may be coupled to one or more sides of the bearing portion 104, or alternatively (or collectively) to the top, bottom, inner, or outer surface of the bearing portion 104. Furthermore, each of the first and second parts 202A and 202B may include, but are not limited to, a plurality of independent cooling sections that can be in fluid and / or thermal communication with each other, or alternatively, are fluid and / or thermally isolated.Otherwise, the exemplary arrangement of the cooling system 200 shown in Figure 8 operates similarly to that described above with reference to Figure 7, and therefore a detailed description is omitted here. In any case, or in other embodiments of the applicant's disclosure, the cooling assembly 202 (or one or more of its parts such as parts 202A, 202B, etc.) may be sufficiently fixed to each bearing section to at least minimize (or prevent) any movement of oneself to one or more other components of the system 100. For example, the cooling assembly 202 (or one or more of its parts such as parts 202A, 202B, etc.) may be fixedly coupled, individually or in combination, directly or indirectly, to the bearing section 102, the bearing section 104, the support 110, or other components of the bearing system 100. In embodiments in which the superconductor section is arranged in a rotating bearing section (e.g., bearing section 104), a cooling method using a liquid coolant may be used that can reduce the weight added to the rotating part of the system (e.g., from system components) to at least one or more other cooling systems. However, other cooling methods may be used in one or more applications of this disclosure, but are not limited thereto. In embodiments where the superconductor portion is located on a rotating or stationary part of system 100 (e.g., a bearing portion 102), the addition of components of the cooling system 200 to the rotating part of system 100 is not a major concern, depending on the application. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from the applicant's disclosure, the cooling system 200 may include, and will include, a number of other cooling components such as conduits, lines, hoses, fittings, valves, pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, evaporators, fins, tubes and fans or other blowers, and will be so in at least some embodiments. Thus, such items known in the art do not need to be described in detail herein. As another example, the cooling system 200 may include, but is not limited thereto, one or more control systems, and may include one or more conventional (or custom-developed) components such as controllers, memory devices, control software, sensors, transmitters, receivers, thermometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, power supplies and other components for the cooling system or control system.It will be understood that the control system 150 (if any) described above may also include one or more of the aforementioned components.

[0062] Having described one or more embodiments of the systems and methods of the present disclosure, one or more additional embodiments will now be described. Those skilled in the art who benefit from the present disclosure will understand that one or more principles or aspects of the above-described embodiments are similarly applicable to one or more of the following embodiments, and vice versa. Therefore, it is not necessary, nor will it be necessary, to repeat the specific aspects described above.

[0063] Figure 9 shows an isometric view of one of many embodiments of the wheel assembly according to this disclosure. Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Figure 9. Figure 11 is another schematic side view of the embodiment of Figure 9. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the embodiments of Figures 9 to 11. Figures 9 to 12 will be described in relation to each other.

[0064] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be one or more systems or devices for or supporting movement, or may be incorporated therein. In one of many examples, the bearing system 300 may be or include a wheel assembly for supporting rotational motion, and may include a bearing 302 coupled to one or more other components for movement, such as one or more supports 304 for supporting one or more components of the assembly. The bearing 302 may include a first bearing portion 302A, such as an inner (or outer) bearing portion, and a second bearing portion 302B, such as an outer (or inner) bearing portion. As described elsewhere in this specification, one of the bearing portions 302A, 302B may be an HTS bearing portion, and the other of the bearing portions 302A, 302B may be a magnetic bearing portion. It will be understood, of course, that one of the bearing portions 302A, 302B may be an HTS portion and the other may be a magnetic portion required or desired for the particular application or implementation at present. It will be understood that the relevant terms used herein (e.g., internal, external, first, second, etc.) are used for clarity and convenience of explanation, and that each bearing portion 302A, 302B may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of HTS portions and / or magnetic portions, individually or in combination with each other, and / or one or more other non-HTS portions or non-magnetic portions (e.g., couplers, housings, covers, or other components). In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 9 (one of many embodiments) included for illustrative purposes, portion 302A is shown as an HTS portion and portion 302B is shown as a magnetic portion, but is not limited to (as described above and elsewhere in this specification). The bearing portion 302A may be coupled to the support 304 and may be, or include, an axle, spindle, shaft, bar, rail, or other structure, and may be adapted to rotate or move. The portion 302A and the support 304 may be joined together in whole or in part, in any way required by the particular application, including by being directly, indirectly, integrally formed, or otherwise joined.The bearing portion 302B is magnetically coupled to the bearing portion 302A, as described elsewhere in this disclosure, such as to the bearing system 100 described above, and the bearing portions 302A and 302B can be adapted to rotate relative to each other, individually or in combination. In at least one embodiment, portion 302B is, or may include, a wheel adapted to rotate around axis A, or the central longitudinal axis of the support 304, but is not limited thereto. The bearing portion 302B may include, or may include, a tire, cover, housing, coating, or other structure or surface (of any shape) adapted to contact the surface support system 300, but is not limited thereto. The bearing portion 302B and the outer portion 306 may be formed integrally or individually, or may be bonded together as a whole or in part, and may include, but is not limited to, the use of one or more fasteners, adhesives or other couplings.

[0065] In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the bearing system 300 may include a drive system 308 for moving one of the bearing sections 302A, 302B relative to the other and / or one or more other system components. The drive system 308 may include a driver 310 for driving, or rotatably moving or inducting one or more system components. The driver 310 may, but is not limited to, be coupled to the support 304, or alternatively (or collectively) to one or more other supports, or may be self-supporting, for example. In at least one embodiment, the driver 310 may, but is not limited to, an electromagnetic driver (as further described below), or may be any type of driver required by the particular application, such as a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical drive assembly. For example, the driver 310 may be a rotating shaft such as a drive shaft driven by a motor, engine, pump, or other prime mover, or, as other examples, a transmitter, PTO system, or drive interlocking system, or may include them. The drive system 308 may include a drive unit 312 coupled to the driver 310, which can be adapted to move the driven unit 314. The drive unit 314 may include a structure coupled to one or more bearing parts, such as a bearing unit 302B, including being formed integrally with it, in whole or in part. The drive unit may include, but is not limited to, one or more drive couplers 316, and similarly, the driven unit 314 may include, but is not limited to, one or more driven couplers 318. Each of the parts 312, 314 may include any number of couplers 316, 318 required by the particular application, one or more of which may be coupled to each other and to their respective drive units, in whole or in part, in any way suitable for the current application (including being coupled integrally).For example, each coupler 316, 318 may be coupled to one or more other similar couplers, or alternatively, each coupler 316, 318 may be separate, and furthermore, one or more couplers may be interchangeable, for example, by being detachably coupled to one or more other components, such as their respective parts 312, 314. The drive unit 312 may have the same number (any number) of drive units 316 as the driven couplers 318 of the corresponding driven unit 314, or alternatively, the system 300 may include a different number of corresponding couplers 316, 318. One or more drive couplers 314 (if any) may be coupled to one or more driven couplers 318 (if any) that couple the drive unit 312 and the driven unit 314 together. Alternatively (or collectively), one or more of the drive and driven parts 312, 314 may not include a coupling, and one of those parts may be coupled to a coupling of another part, or, as another example, there may be no couplings 316, 318 at all, and the drive parts 312, 314 may be coupled to each other directly or separately without the use of a coupling. In at least one embodiment, the drive part 312 may be mechanically coupled to the driven part 314, for example, to rotate part 314 around axis A. For example, one or more pairs of corresponding couplings 316, 318 (including one or more pairs of couplings) may be detachably or separately coupled to each other. Such embodiments may be useful in one or more applications or implementations of the applicant's disclosure, nevertheless subject to one or more limitations of the driver in the system (e.g., friction, maximum speed or rate). In at least one other embodiment, for example, an embodiment including an electromagnetic driver or other magnetic driver (as described above), the drive part 312 is not limited to being mechanically coupled to the driven part 314. For example, the drive unit 312 may be magnetically coupled to the driven unit 314. In at least one such embodiment, one or more corresponding or communicating sets (e.g., a pair or other combination) of the drive and driven couplers 316, 318 (if any) may include a permanent magnet coupler and a magnetic coupler (which may also be or include a magnet, but are not limited thereto).The magnetic coupler may be a driving coupler, the magnetic coupler may be a driven coupler, or vice versa, and such arrangements may differ between two or more pairs of corresponding couplers (if any). The driving unit 312 can rotate (for example, around axis A) by being rotated by a driver 310 or a driving system coupled thereto, and the bearing unit 302B can be rotated together with the driving unit 312 or moved separately by the magnetic attraction between the corresponding couplers 316, 318 of each pair (or between the driving unit 312 and the driven unit 314). In at least one other embodiment of such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), the driving unit 312 (or the driven unit 314) may be an electromagnet or include one. For example, the drive unit 312 may include one or more electromagnetic drive couplers 316, and the driven unit 314 may include one or more magnetic driven couplers 318 having corresponding drive couplers (or couplers) 316 associated therewith (or vice versa). In such embodiments, each magnetic coupler is polarized, and each electromagnetic coupler can be adapted (individually or in combination) so that the driven unit 314 (which may be any of the drive units) moves, such as by rotating around an axis. In at least one of such embodiments (one of many embodiments), as shown in Figure 10 for illustrative purposes, the driven unit 312 may be positioned in a rotatably fixed position, but is not limited thereto, and the drive unit may be a bearing unit 302A or a bearing unit 302B adapted to rotate around the bearing unit 302A, such as being rotatably coupled thereto. Two or more adjacent driven couplers 318 (if any), such as driven couplers 318A, 318B, may have alternating polarities, and the drive coupler 316 may be adapted to change polarity during operation (for example, in response to one or more elapsed times or other conditions or commands), such as switching between N and S polarities. Adjacent drive couplers 316 (if any) may be adapted to switch polarity in opposite ways to each other, but are not limited to this.In other words, at any point in time (or period) during operation, which may be any point in time or period required by a particular application, one drive coupler (e.g., coupler 316A) (or any drive coupler, if any) may have north polarity, and an adjacent drive coupler (e.g., coupler 318B) may have south polarity, or vice versa. At the next point in time or period, the polarity of the drive couplers may be reversed or changed to the opposite polarity (i.e., from N to S, or vice versa). Such a change may occur at any time or time interval required by a particular application, and at any coupler position or relationship between coupler positions. For example, in at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), such a change of polarity may occur when or before / after the driven coupler 318 reaches a position (e.g., a rotational position or other position) midway between two adjacent drive couplers 316. Thus, it will be recognized and understood that the electromagnetic driver 310 can, for example, magnetically rotate the driven part 314 by controlled magnetic coupling with the driven part 314. More specifically, consider, for example, an exemplary pair or other set of adjacent drive couplers (e.g., 316A and 316B) to a single exemplary driven coupler (e.g., 318A or 318B) having N polarity over an exemplary period, such that one drive coupler 316 has N polarity and the other drive coupler 316 has S polarity. The N drive coupler can repel the driven coupler, and the S drive coupler can attract the driven coupler. In this way, the driven coupler may tend to move from a position near the former to a position near the latter. Over a subsequent period, the polarity of each drive coupler can be reversed, and the exemplary driven coupler can be correspondingly biased, including moving toward a third exemplary drive coupler adjacent to one of the above and having the opposite polarity to the driven coupler at that point. A similar principle may be applied to the remaining couplers 316, 318 (if any) in the embodiment, which can provide a driving force to drive the driven portion 314 and / or the second bearing portion 302B.Such driving forces may be controlled, if one or more electromagnetic drive units 312 and / or one or more drive couplers 316 are present, for example by increasing or decreasing them by controlling the amount of current flowing through them. Furthermore, similar methods may be used to slow the movement of the driven unit 314, for example, if required or desired by a particular application as part of a braking system. The system 300 may, but is not limited to, include one or more other components of the components disclosed herein, individually or in combination with each other, in whole or in part. For example, in at least one embodiment, the system 300 may include a control system (not shown) for adapting one or more aspects or characteristics of the system to be measured, controlled, modified, and / or displayed to the user. As another example, the system 300 may include a cooling system (for example, one in which a support 304 may be a part), which may include a cooling assembly, a chiller, and / or other cooling device, such as one or more of the components shown in Figures 1 to 8.

[0066] Figure 13 shows an isometric view of one of many embodiments of the conveyor system according to this disclosure. Figure 14 is a schematic end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 13. Figure 15 is a schematic side view of the embodiments shown in Figures 13 and 14. Figure 16 is a schematic detail view of a part of Figure 15. Figures 13 to 16 are described in relation to each other.

[0067] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be part of or incorporated into one or more carrier (or transport) systems 400, such as a system or device for moving or supporting movement from one place to another. In one of many examples, the carrier system 400 may include a body 402 for supporting one or more items (including passengers) to be moved. The body 402 may include, for example, other structures such as a body, chassis, frame, or dwelling for supporting the items in motion, either individually or in combination with each other. The body 402 may be constructed individually or in combination of any material required by the particular application, such as plastic, glass, metal, or other material, and may include one or more features or other structures commonly found in conventional transport systems, such as seats, safety mechanisms, and other items such as luxury goods. The carrier system 400 may include one or more bearing systems 404 coupled to the body 402 for supporting its movement, and may include any number of bearing systems required by the 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 disclosed by the applicant, similar to the numerous wheels or tires found in one or more conventional carrier systems such as bicycles, motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks, semi-trucks and aircraft. One or more bearing systems 404 may be any application-specific implementation or adaptation of any of them, and may be one or more of the bearing systems disclosed herein, in whole or in part, individually or in combination. Thus, a detailed description of bearing systems 404 is omitted here. One or more bearing systems 404 may be coupled to or separately located at least substantially below the body 402, as in conventional vehicle arrangements, but are not limited thereto.For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of one of many embodiments, Figures 13 to 16, one or more bearing systems may be positioned on the top, bottom, sides, or other parts of the body 402, directly or indirectly, as required or desired by the particular application. For example, one or more bearing systems 404 may be coupled to a support 406, such as a frame, brace, or other structure, for supporting the rotational motion of the bearing systems 404, which can, for example, support the linear, rotational, or other motion of the body 402. The support 406 may be circular, but is not limited thereto, and may alternatively be any other shape, such as a square or rectangle. One or more supports 406, which may contain any number (the same or different) of bearing systems 404 required by the particular application, may be coupled to the body 402 by one or more couplings 408, which may include, for example, braces, frames, fasteners, or other structural members, individually or in combination. In at least one embodiment (one of many embodiments), the support 406 and the bearing system 404 may be adapted and arranged to communicate with a track system 410 that directs or separately guides the movement of the system 400, such as by at least partially defining a path through which the body 402 and / or other components of the system can move. The track system 410 may include any type of guidance system required by the particular application, such as a track, one or more rails, cables or other support structures, or, as another example, a tube at least partially enclosed through which the body 402 can pass. In embodiments in which the track system 410 consists of one of many tubes, at least a portion of the tube may be able to vent air at least partially, such as to maintain the tube in a vacuum state. In at least one embodiment, such as a vacuum tube embodiment, the carrier system 400 may include, but is not limited to, a self-contained oxygen system, such as to provide breathable air to passengers riding on the body 402. The conveyor system 400 may include, but is not limited to, one or more motors 412 for propelling, forcing, or separately moving the main body 402 (and any contents, if present) along a path.The prime mover 412 may include, for example, a hydrocarbon or other power motor or power engine (and optionally a transmission, linkage mechanism, fuel and other components), or, as an alternative example, the prime mover 412 may consist of one or more jet propulsion systems, such as a rocket. Alternatively, the prime mover 412 may be absent, and the body 402 may move along the path by one or more other means, such as by gravity or a magnetic propulsion system. In at least one embodiment, the system 400 may include one or more conventional bearing systems 414 in combination with one or more bearing systems according to the Disclosure, but is not limited thereto.

[0068] Figure 17 shows an isometric view of one of many embodiments of the turbine system according to this disclosure. Figure 18 is a schematic end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 17. Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiments shown in Figures 17 and 18. Figures 17 to 19 will be described in relation to each other.

[0069] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be or be incorporated into one or more turbine systems 500, such as a power generation system or apparatus, or another type of turbine. In one of many examples of one embodiment, the turbine system 500 may include one or more bearing systems 502 that support rotational motion between a support 504 and a fan 506. Each bearing system 502 may include one or more bearing parts, such as bearing parts 502A, 502B, and may include HTS bearing parts and magnetic bearing parts as described elsewhere in this specification. One or more bearing systems 502 may include any application-specific implementation or adaptation of any of them, and may be one or more of the bearing systems disclosed herein, in whole or in part, individually or in combination. Thus, a detailed description of one of the many bearing systems 502 of one embodiment of the present disclosure is omitted here. The support 504 may be fixed in a rotatable manner, but is not limited thereto, and a fan 506, which may include one or more blades or fins 508, can rotate around the support 504 with at least reduced friction compared to one or more conventional turbines lacking the bearing system of the present disclosure.

[0070] Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment among many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system according to the Disclosure. Figure 21 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing one of many embodiments of a bearing and flywheel system according to the Disclosure. Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing one of many embodiments of a layered flywheel assembly according to the Disclosure. Figure 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another embodiment among many embodiments of a layered flywheel assembly according to the Disclosure. Figure 24 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment among many embodiments of a layered flywheel assembly according to the Disclosure. Figure 25 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing one of many embodiments of a porous flywheel assembly according to the Disclosure. Figure 26 is a schematic top view of yet another embodiment among many embodiments of a porous flywheel assembly according to the Disclosure. Figure 27 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the flywheel assembly of Figure 26. Figures 20 to 27 are described in relation to each other.

[0071] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be one or more flywheel systems, such as FESSs, supporting energy storage, or may be incorporated therein. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the load and stabilization supported by permanent magnets can be maximized, and since the magnets can be angled, the repulsive magnetic force generates both lift and partial stabilization due to the gravitational restoring force. The residual load can be supported by a relatively small amount of high-temperature superconductor ("HTS"), and unlike conventional HTS-based designs, it can be more easily cooled by a small, cryogenic cooler. Furthermore, the problem of magnetic flux creep can be mitigated, reducing the need to periodically warm up the system and the material stress caused by such frequent temperature cycling.

[0072] By adjusting the angle of the magnets, for example, by changing system parameters such as the angle of the magnets with respect to the axis of rotation and the angle between magnets, as well as by changing the width of some of the magnets, synchronization over a wide range can be achieved. In at least one embodiment, the magnets may be backed with magnetic iron whose shape can be adjusted to minimize the negative stiffness of the permanent magnet portion of the bearing system.

[0073] In at least one embodiment, the bearing and flywheel system 600 may include a first bearing portion 602 having a through-hole 604 having a first dimension and a central longitudinal axis A, a second bearing portion 606 having a second dimension smaller than the first dimension, 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 composed of an HTS 610 and a first magnet 612. The other of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606 may be at least partially composed of a second magnet 614 and a third magnet 616. The second bearing portion 606 may be at least partially located within the opening 604 that penetrates 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 other axis) of the first bearing portion 602.

[0074] 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 offset 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 located in the center along the central longitudinal axis A. For example, the HTS 610 may be configured to repel the second magnet 614 such that the second bearing portion 606 is offset 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 offset toward a concentric position about the central longitudinal axis A.

[0075] In at least one embodiment, the HTS 610 and the second magnet 614 may be configured to at least partially resist the longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, the HTS 610 and the second magnet 614 may be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces parallel to the central longitudinal axis A.

[0076] In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 may be configured to resist, at least partially, the 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 be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces that are angled with respect to the central longitudinal axis A.

[0077] In at least one embodiment, the system 600 may include one or more additional magnets coupled to one or both bearing portions, for example, 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 resisting at least partially the 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 be arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces that are angled with respect to the central longitudinal axis A.

[0078] In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 may have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and have a first angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis A, and the fourth magnet 618 and the fifth magnet 620 may have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and have a second angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis A. The first and second angles may be equal or opposite. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles may be complementary. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles may be different. In this case as well, the designations such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used herein for clarity and descriptive purposes only, and the relevant magnets, bearings, or other components are not determined solely by such designations.

[0079] The magnets may all be annular magnets or include annular magnets, and / or consist of multiple magnet segments. As is evident from the drawings and their examination, a pair of magnets may be configured to face each other in order to hold the second bearing portion 606 in position relative to the first bearing portion 602. Any properties of the magnets, such as size, shape, number, strength, and orientation, may be manipulated to counteract 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 the system 600. For example, if there is 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 terms of size, shape, number, strength, orientation, type, material, or any combination thereof.

[0080] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may be or include one or more layered flywheels constructed by laminating thin or ultra-thin high-strength sheets (e.g., steel plates) together. In such an embodiment (one of many embodiments), two or more sheets of the flywheel 608 can be separated from each other so that if any single layer fails, the other layers remain unaffected and can continue to operate. Since the individual layers can be separated from each other, it is very unlikely that many layers will fail at the same time, and the failure mechanism is good because the layers are easily compressed and absorb energy. In at least one embodiment, the system 600 according to the Disclosure may have a very important additional advantage in that it can increase the energy density by operating the flywheel 608 much closer to the upper limit of the material. It is expected that a certain number of layers will fail each year, and that they can be periodically collected and recycled into new layers for flywheel replacement.

[0081] In at least one embodiment, two or more flywheel layers may be separated from each other by using a viscous energy-absorbing material (e.g., rubber) between such layers. In at least one embodiment, such material may also be used to separate the flywheel layers from the shaft, 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 decoupler.

[0082] In at least one embodiment, the shaft does not penetrate the flywheel layer (see, for example, Figure 23), and much higher speeds are possible due to the increased resistance to tensile forces at the center of the layer. For example, the shaft 640 can be coupled to the flywheel layer by using two strong magnets 642, 644 at both ends of the flywheel layer assembly. In at least one embodiment, electrostatic force can be used instead of magnets. In at least one embodiment, the assembly can be held together using a strong adhesive or another bonding material without requiring the shaft to pass through the flywheel disc. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel layer may be held together by bolts or other fasteners (not shown) positioned through holes located toward the outer diameter or periphery of the disc (e.g., between the center of the flywheel and the radial outermost boundary) rather than near the center, in order to reduce stress.

[0083] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 itself may be a highly porous structure (see, for example, Figure 25) containing a liquid or soft material that can move between “pores” or “cells” within the flywheel 608 that distribute mass in response to inertial forces, enabling or supporting the self-balancing of the system 600. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may have radial barriers 656 on its outer diameter or circumference for further structural support, such as radially outward strips, walls or seals, or, as an alternative example, a super-strong composite disc. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may utilize super-strong steel wires or composite wires positioned radially outward from the center to provide tensile strength and support against centrifugal forces during flywheel operation.

[0084] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may be a layered flywheel comprising sheets, rings, or other layers of a first material 630 and sheets, rings, or other layers of a second material 632 (see, for example, Figures 21-23). ​​In at least one embodiment, the layers are arranged alternately, in which case the first material layers 630 and the second material layers 632 are joined together by having one of the second material layers 632 positioned between adjacent first material layers 630. In at least one embodiment, the layers may be configured such that each of the first material layers 630 breaks independently of the breakage of any other first material layer 630. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials 630, 632 may be arranged alternately in a concentric ring (see, for example, Figure 24). In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials 630, 632 are arranged alternately 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 other materials.

[0085] 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 help reinforce the first material 630 and / or prevent its breakage.

[0086] 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 than the first material 630 in the first phase and a lower tensile strength than the first material 630 in the second phase. 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.

[0087] In at least one embodiment, the system 600 may include a shaft 640 coupled between a flywheel 608 and a second bearing portion 606 (or other rotor bearing portion), and a phase change material 632 coupled between the flywheel 608 and the shaft 640. The phase change material 632 may be configured to selectively separate the flywheel 608 from the shaft 640.

[0088] 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 a matrix of internal pores 654. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc or other barrier 656 may be bonded 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 bonded between the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650. The structural support members 658 may be one or more wires, rods, sleeves, rings, sheets, bars, etc., configured to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650, or may include such wires, rods, sleeves, rings, sheets, bars, etc. The structural support members 658 may be oriented radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body 650. In at least one embodiment, a mass-dispersing material 660 may be sealed within the matrix of pores 654 of the flywheel body 650. The mass-dispersing material 660 may be a fluid such as water, a particulate matter such as sand, or a combination thereof.

[0089] In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may include a flywheel body 650 having a radial outer surface 652, the flywheel body 650 being or including at least a partially hollow housing or shell (see, for example, Figures 26-27). In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may include one or more structural support members 658 that are coupled to the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 and support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650 by connecting the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 or by separately structurally supporting them. In at least one embodiment, the mass-dispersing material 660 may be sealed within the flywheel body 650, for example, within the flywheel body 650 between the shaft 640 and the radial outer surface 652 in the radial direction, in one or more storage portions 662, such as spaces or voids. In at least one embodiment, one or more storage portions 662 may include a porous material having a matrix of pores 654 for containing the mass-dispersing material 660 (see, for example, Figure 25). In at least one embodiment, one or more storage compartments 662 may be one or more empty spaces within the flywheel body 650 containing the mass-dispersing material 660, or may include such spaces (see, for example, Figures 26-27). In at least one embodiment, one or more support members 658 may be located within a storage compartment 662 in the flywheel body 650 to at least partially resist separation of the shaft 640 from the flywheel body 650 during flywheel operation, having a first end coupled to the shaft 640 and a second end coupled to the flywheel body 650, such as being coupled to the radial outer wall or other portion of the flywheel body 650.

[0090] In at least one embodiment, the system 600 may include a flywheel shaft 640 coupled between the flywheel 608 and the second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, the 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, the magnets 642 may be positioned adjacent to the first end of the flywheel 608, and the magnets 644 may be positioned adjacent to the second end of the flywheel 608. The magnets 642 and 644 may be configured to attract each other, thereby coupling the flywheel 608 to the flywheel shaft 640. In at least one embodiment, the magnets 642 and 644 may be configured to couple the shaft 640 and the flywheel 608 without the shaft 640 needing to move into or pass through the flywheel 608. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 does not need to have a central opening inside it.

[0091] In at least one embodiment, the system 600 may include a motor and / or generator system 603 for rotating the flywheel 608 (e.g., via a magnetic device or other drive device) and / or generating power from the rotation of the flywheel 608. The motor and / or generator system 603 may be, or include, any flywheel drive and / or generator system, whether currently known or to be developed in the future, configured to communicate operably with the flywheel 608 and / or other components of the system 600.

[0092] Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the embodiments described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of the applicant's disclosure. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be used to support any type of movement, such as rotational or linear. As another example, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be used to form one or more components of other moving systems, which may include any moving system having conventional bearings, such as aircraft, passenger and other vehicles, machinery, heavy machinery, processing tools, generators, trailers, axles, actuators, or other motion systems. Furthermore, various methods and embodiments of the HTS-magnetic bearing system may be combined with one another to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments.

[0093] Descriptions of singular elements may include plural elements, and vice versa. References to at least one item may include more than one item. Furthermore, various aspects of the embodiments can be used in combination to achieve the understood objectives of this disclosure. Unless specifically required by context, the term “comprise,” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” should be understood to mean including at least the described element or step, or group of elements or steps, or their equivalents, and not to exclude a larger number or other element or step, or group of elements or steps, or their equivalents. The apparatus and systems of this disclosure can be used in many directions and orientations. Unless specifically limited, the order of the steps can be varied. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, incorporated into described steps, and / or divided into multiple steps. Similarly, elements are described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or combined into components having multiple functions.

[0094] The present invention is described in the context of preferred and other embodiments, and not all embodiments of the invention are described. Obvious modifications and changes to the embodiments described are available to those skilled in the art. The disclosed and non-disclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention as envisioned by the applicant, but rather, in accordance with patent law, the applicant intends to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that fall within the scope or scope of the equivalent claims.

Claims

1. A first bearing portion having a through-hole, a central longitudinal axis and an inner surface, wherein the opening has a first dimension, A second bearing portion having an outer second dimension and outer surface, wherein the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension, The flywheel is coupled to the second bearing portion, One of the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion is made of at least a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) and includes a first magnet. The other of the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion is at least partially composed of a second magnet and includes a third magnet. The second bearing portion is at least partially positioned in the opening that penetrates 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. The second bearing portion is configured to rotate relative to the first bearing portion around the central longitudinal axis of the first bearing portion. Further comprising a fourth magnet and a fifth magnet, The fourth magnet is coupled to the bearing portion including the third magnet. The fifth magnet is coupled to the bearing portion including the first magnet. A system in which the fourth magnet and the fifth magnet are configured to repel each other.

2. The flywheel comprises a plurality of first sheets of the first material, A layered flywheel comprising a plurality of second sheets of a second material, The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first sheets and the plurality of second sheets are joined together such that one of the plurality of second sheets is positioned between adjacent plurality of first sheets.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of first sheets is configured to break independently of any other of 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 a matrix of internal pores.

6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising an annular disc coupled to the radially outer surface of the flywheel body.

7. The system according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of structural support members coupled to the flywheel body and oriented radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body.

8. The system according to claim 5, further comprising a mass-dispersing material sealed within the matrix of pores in the flywheel body.

9. The flywheel shaft further comprises a first shaft portion having a sixth magnet and a second shaft portion having a seventh magnet. The sixth magnet is positioned adjacent to the first end of the flywheel, The seventh magnet is positioned adjacent to the second end of the flywheel, The second end of the flywheel is located on the opposite side of the first end of the flywheel. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sixth magnet and the seventh magnet are configured to attract each other and 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 resist the longitudinal movement of the second bearing portion.

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

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet and the third magnet are arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces that are not perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the HTS and the second magnet are arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces 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 an annular magnet.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the annular magnet includes a plurality of magnetic segments.

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

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

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fourth magnet and the fifth magnet are arranged parallel to each other and have outer surfaces that are at an angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flywheel comprises a shaft having an outer surface, a flywheel body rotatably fixed around the outer surface of the shaft, and one or more storage compartments within the flywheel body.

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