HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTIVE BEARINGS AND FLYWHEELS (HTS) SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

Abstract

A bearing and flywheel system may include a first bearing portion having an opening of a first dimension through it and a central longitudinal shaft, a second bearing portion having a second dimension, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension, and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion; the bearing portions may include high-temperature superconductor(s) and / or magnets; the second bearing portion may be disposed at least partially 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 with respect to the first bearing portion.

Description

HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTIVE (HTS) BEARING AND FLYWHEEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS CROSS-REFERENCE WITH RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a PCT application of U.S. patent application 17 / 348,716 filed June 15, 2021, and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 63 / 039,454 filed June 15, 2020. The full contents of each of the above applications are incorporated herein for reference. FIELD OF INVENTION The inventions described and taught in this document relate generally to bearing systems and, more specifically, to bearing and flywheel systems comprising high-temperature superconductors and applications thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) are a robust, inexpensive, durable, and non-toxic alternative technology that has existed for over 100 years. They can withstand virtually unlimited charge / discharge cycles, have high power / energy density, and can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, including high temperatures. The main obstacles to large-scale deployment can be broadly divided into two categories: flywheel strength and energy losses. Flywheels store kinetic energy in the rotational inertia of a large steel or composite cylinder that 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. Ek= ~Ia)2where E k is the rotational kinetic energy, I is the moment of inertia and ω is the angular velocity. For a flywheel consisting of a thin disc, the moment of inertia is: mr2where I is the moment of inertia, m is the mass and r is the distance between the axis and the mass of rotation. To take advantage of the omega squared term, a flywheel must rotate as fast as possible. This means that the factor determining the energy density of the system is the strength and stiffness of the flywheel material used. e - — - Km p where e is the energy density, KE is the kinetic energy of the flywheel, m is the mass of the flywheel, and σ and p are the tensile strength and density of the rotor material, respectively. Composite flywheels have high tensile strength and are capable of high energy density (comparable to lithium-ion batteries in some cases), while steel flywheels have lower strength but are significantly cheaper, a more important metric for utility-scale energy storage. However, if steel flywheels fail, they often break into several large pieces and can carry a lot of energy, which can be dangerous. In general, there have been two approaches to flywheel materials: very high tensile strength composites or high-density steel. High tensile strength composites are relatively expensive, while high-density steel is relatively inexpensive but has lower energy density and the failure problem discussed earlier. Losses in a flywheel energy storage system can generally be divided into two categories: losses due to the bearings and losses due to the electrical machine (motor / generator system). Conventional bearing systems typically include several mechanically coupled components, such as roller bearings arranged in a raceway. Such systems are subject to various limitations, including those due to friction. Lubricants, such as grease or oil, can be used to reduce the undesirable effects of friction, such as heat generation, but friction can still render conventional systems inadequate for certain applications.Consequently, many conventional motion systems are limited by friction, such as between the atmosphere and a body moving through it, or within the body itself, such as between bearings, gears, or other components. Examples of conventional applications that suffer from the limitations imposed by friction include virtually any machine that has moving parts, such as a wheel rotating around an axle, blades rotating around a support, generators, turbines, pulleys, flywheel energy storage systems, among others. To avoid head loss, magnetic levitation can be used. However, flywheels using electromagnetic bearings still lose energy due to their inherent instability. Constant input power can be used to actively stabilize bearings using magnets because of Earnshaw's theorem, which essentially states that a group of magnets generally cannot passively achieve stable equilibrium. Therefore, an external stabilizing force is required. In most commercially available systems, an actively controlled electromagnet-based system is used to provide this external stabilization at the cost of increased power consumption and complexity. High-temperature superconducting (HTS) bearings can solve this problem by providing passive stabilization and levitation. HTS materials enable passively stabilized levitation due to two unique characteristics: the first is the Meissner effect, where the superconductor will expel any magnetic field as it cools below its critical temperature, and the second is flux locking, where magnetic flux lines are trapped within the material, providing a restoring force that returns the magnet to a fixed relative orientation with respect to the superconductor. However, at least some currently available HTS bearings suffer from several problems. The first of these problems is called flux creep: when there is a gradient in the magnetic field, the thermally activated flux between the attachment sites accelerates until the gradient is eliminated. In practice, for bearings that rely on HTS materials for levitation, this means there is a finite time the system can remain operational before it needs to be heated and cooled again. This time is reduced in cases where the HTS must provide a significant amount of lifting force. The second problem with at least some conventional HTS bearings is a limited load capacity due to the way the HTS and magnets are arranged, only partially utilizing the permanent magnets for lifting and relying on the HTS for the remainder. Due to these problems, a relatively large mass of HTS is generally required, which then demands a significant amount of cooling energy, outweighing the benefit of passive stabilization. There is a need in the technology for improved bearing and flywheel systems and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This description 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 portions may be composed at least partially of one or more high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials. Another of the first and second portions may be composed at least partially of one or more magnets or other magnetic materials. An HTS bearing portion, or a bearing portion comprising HTS, may also include one or more magnets or other magnetic materials. A superconducting magnet bearing system may include a first bearing portion coupled to a support, which may be a first bearing portion having an outside dimension and an outside surface. The first bearing portion may, but need not, be fixed relative to the support. The first bearing portion may include an opening and an inside surface, such as an opening having a dimension larger than the outside dimension of a second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions may be composed at least partially of a high-temperature superconductor, and another of the first and second bearing portions may be composed at least partially of a magnet or other magnetic material. A second bearing portion may be disposed at least partially within the opening of the first bearing portion.There may be a space between a surface of the first bearing portion and a surface of the second bearing portion. A system may include a cooling system having a cooling assembly coupled to an HTS bearing portion. A cooling assembly may comprise a cryostat, and a bearing portion may be at least partially disposed in the cryostat. At least a portion of a cooling assembly may be disposed in a gap or other space between a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion. A cooling system may include an interface portion configured for thermal communication, which may be disposed in communication with one or more bearing portions. Two or more bearing portions may be movably coupled to each other, which may include flow pins and / or one or more forms of coupling. One bearing portion may be adapted to rotate around another bearing portion.A gap or other space between bearing portions may be at least substantially uniform, and the first and second bearing portions may be adapted so that a gap remains at least substantially uniform during the movement of one or more bearing portions. At least one bearing portion may include a plurality of sections, segments, pieces, or other bearing portions. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υο A superconducting magnet bearing portion may include one or more magnets, and a magnet bearing portion may include one or more magnets in addition to one or more parts. A system may include one or more active or passive control systems, sensing systems, cooling systems, or other systems. A method may include one or more methods for forming, assembling, manufacturing, using, implementing, and / or operating one or more superconducting magnet support systems or parts thereof. A method may include cooling one or more superconducting magnet support systems or parts thereof. A 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.One method may include forming a bearing portion from a plurality of magnetic rings or other annular parts and coupling the bearing portion to an HTS bearing portion. Another method may include controlling a relationship between two or more bearing portions using a magnetic control system, which may include an electromagnetic control system. In at least one embodiment, a bearing and flywheel system may include a first bearing portion having an opening of a first dimension through it and a central longitudinal shaft, a second bearing portion having a second dimension, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension, and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions may be composed at least partially of a high-temperature superconductor and a first magnet. Another of the first and second bearing portions is composed at least partially of a second magnet and a third magnet. The second bearing portion may be disposed at least partially 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 can be configured to rotate around the central longitudinal axis of the first bearing portion with respect to the first bearing portion. In at least one configuration, the first bearing portion can be configured to repel the second bearing portion, causing the second bearing portion to be deflected toward the central longitudinal axis. For example, the HTS can be configured to repel the second magnet, causing the second bearing portion to be deflected into a concentric position around the central longitudinal axis. In at least one configuration, the first magnet can be configured to repel the third magnet, and the second bearing portion can be deflected into a concentric position around the central longitudinal axis. In at least one configuration, the HTS and the second magnet can be configured to at least partially resist longitudinal and / or radial movement of the second portion of MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υο bearing. In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet may have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the first and third magnets are configured to at least partially resist and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the first and third magnets have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and at an angle to the central longitudinal axis. 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 and thus at least partially resist longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion relative to the first bearing portion. The fourth and fifth magnets have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and at an angle 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. The first and second angles may be equal and / or opposite. In at least one instance, the first and second angles are complementary. In at least one instance, the first and second angles are different. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the first, second, and third magnets may be an annular magnet. The annular magnet may comprise a plurality of magnet segments. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a laminated 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 alternated such that the first material layers and the second material layers are coupled to each other, with one of the second material layers arranged between adjacent first material layers. In at least one embodiment, the first material layers may be configured to fail independently of the failure of any other first material layer. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate in concentric rings. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate along the longitudinal axis. In at least one configuration, the second material has greater tensile strength than the first material. In at least one configuration, the second material can be configured to reinforce and / or prevent failure of the first material. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υυ In at least one embodiment, the second material may be a phase-change material. For example, the second material may have higher tensile strength than the first material in a first phase and lower tensile strength than the first material in a second phase. In at least one embodiment, the second material may be configured to selectively decouple the first material layers from each other and / or the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the system may include a shaft coupled between the flywheel and the second bearing portion, or otherwise coupled to it, and a phase-change material coupled between the flywheel and the shaft. The phase-change material may be configured to selectively decouple the flywheel from the shaft. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a porous flywheel comprising a porous flywheel body having a radially outer surface and an internal pore matrix. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc may be attached to the radially outer surface of the flywheel body. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of structural support members may be attached to the flywheel body. The structural support members may be oriented radially outward from a central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body. In at least one embodiment, a mass distribution material may be sealed within the pore matrix of the flywheel body. In at least one embodiment, the system may further include a steering wheel shaft coupled between the steering wheel and the second bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, the shaft may be divided into a first shaft portion with a fourth magnet and a second shaft portion with a fifth magnet. In at least one embodiment, the fourth magnet is arranged adjacent to a first end of the steering wheel. In at least one embodiment, the fifth magnet may be arranged adjacent to a second end of the steering wheel. In at least one embodiment, the fourth and fifth magnets attract each other and are configured to couple the steering wheel to the steering wheel shaft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of one of many forms of a bearing system as described. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the modality in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of the modality of Figures 1 and 2. ML / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υο Figure 4 is a detailed schematic view of a portion of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of another of many arrangements of the modality of Figures 1 to 4 according to the disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates a schematic side view of another of many forms of a bearing system as disclosed. Figure 6A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system having a control system as described. Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system according to the disclosure. Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another of many forms of a bearing system that has a cooling system as described. Figure 9 illustrates an isometric view of one of many variations of a wheel assembly as described. Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the modality in Figure 9. Figure 11 is another schematic side view of the modality in Figure 9. Figure 12 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of the modality of Figures 9 to 11. Figure 13 illustrates an isometric view of one of many modes of a transportation system according to the disclosure. Figure 14 is a schematic end view of the modality in Figure 13. Figure 15 is a schematic side view of the modality of Figures 13 and 14. Figure 16 is a detailed schematic view of a portion of Figure 15. Figure 17 illustrates an isometric view of one of many embodiments of a turbine system as described. Figure 18 is a schematic end view of the modality in Figure 17. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of one modality of Figures 17 and 18. Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another of many forms of a bearing system that has a cooling system as described. Figure 21 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one of many embodiments of a bearing and flywheel system as described. Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one of many modalities of a layered steering wheel assembly as described. Figure 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another of many forms of a layered steering wheel assembly as described. Figure 24 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another of many forms of a layered steering wheel assembly as described. Figure 25 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one of many forms of a porous flywheel assembly as described. Figure 26 is a schematic top view of another of many forms of a porous flywheel assembly as disclosed. Figure 27 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of the steering wheel assembly in Figure 26. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of the Applicant's invention or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to teach any person normally skilled in the art how to manufacture and use the invention for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all the features of a commercial embodiment of the disclosure are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Those skilled in this art will also appreciate that developing an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of this disclosure will require numerous specific implementation decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment.These specific implementation decisions may include, and are probably not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other restrictions, which may vary depending on the specific implementation, location, and circumstances. While a developer's efforts may be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would nonetheless be a routine task for those skilled in this technique who benefit from this description. It should be understood that the inventions described and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and diverse modifications and alternative forms. Finally, the use of a singular term, such as, among others, "a," is not intended to limit the number of articles.Furthermore, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, above, below, left, right, top, bottom, down, up, side, and the like, are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions or the appended claims. When general reference is made to such elements, the number is used without the letter. Moreover, such designations do not limit the number of elements that may be used for that purpose. Identifiers such as, but not limited to, first, MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υο second, third, etc., are also used in the written description for clarity and are not intended to be limiting unless expressly stated otherwise. For example, a first bearing portion may be a rotor and a second bearing portion may be a stator, or vice versa, depending on, for example, an implementation of the description and / or how such bearing portion is limited in a claim(s). The terms couple, coupled, coupling, coupler, and similar terms are used extensively in this document and may include any method or device for securing, joining, fastening, clamping, attaching, inserting, forming upon or in, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, or operationally, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more member parts with each other, and may include, without limitation, integrally forming one functional member with another in a manner of unit. Coupling may occur in any direction, including rotationally. The terms including and such are illustrative and not limiting. The term may, as used herein, means may, but need not, unless otherwise stated.Each structure, component, and other article included herein shall have certain inherent physical characteristics when and if present in one or more physical embodiments of the present invention, such as dimension(s) (e.g., height, width, length, diameter), mass, weight, imaginary axes, cross-sections, and the like. A person of ordinary skill in the art shall understand that such characteristics are present and that such elements exist in one or more embodiments, regardless of whether they are expressly described or mentioned herein. The terms reduced friction, low friction, and similar terms used herein generally refer to exhibiting or being subject to less friction than a conventional system (e.g., roller bearings) of similar application, such as a system that does not include high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials. This description provides a reduced-friction bearing system for supporting the low-friction motion of one or more components, such as a flywheel. A bearing system may include one or more bearing portions, and in at least one embodiment, one or more bearing portions may include one or more bearing sections. One bearing portion may move relative to another bearing portion, for example, by rotating around or otherwise with respect to it. At least one bearing portion may support a load, and at least one bearing portion may include or be otherwise coupled to one or more supports. In at least one embodiment, the support sections may be oriented at various angles with respect to an adjacent section or sections. At least one bearing system, as described in the disclosure, may support low-friction motion in a variety of applications, such as in a flywheel assembly. ML / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υο A superconducting magnet bearing system may include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions may be composed at least partially of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS), and the other may be composed at least partially of a magnet. The first bearing portion may be disposed at least partially within an opening of the second bearing portion, with a gap between the first and second portions. A magnetic bearing portion may include a plurality of rings arranged side by side. An HTS bearing portion may include a magnet. The bearing portions may be deflected into alignment with each other. One bearing portion may rotate relative to another bearing portion. In at least one embodiment, a bearing and flywheel system may include a first bearing portion having an opening of a first dimension through it and a central longitudinal axis, a second bearing portion having a second dimension, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension, and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion. The bearing portions may be composed of HTS and / or shims; the second bearing portion may be disposed at least partially 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 is configured to rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the first bearing portion with respect to the first bearing portion.In this configuration, which is only one of many, the second bearing portion can be a rotor and the first bearing portion can be a stator. However, this does not have to be the case, and in at least one configuration, the second bearing portion can be a stator and the first bearing portion can be a rotor. In at least one configuration, the first bearing portion can be configured to repel the second bearing portion so that the second bearing portion is deflected toward the central longitudinal axis. For example, the HTS can be configured to repel the second magnet so that the second bearing portion is deflected toward a concentric position around the central longitudinal axis. In at least one configuration, the first magnet can be configured to repel the third magnet so that the second bearing portion is deflected toward a concentric position around the central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the HTS and the second magnet and / or the first and third magnets can be configured to at least partially resist 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 and third magnets can have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and parallel to the central longitudinal axis. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υυ 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 and thus at least partially resist longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion relative to the first bearing portion. The fourth and fifth magnets have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and at an angle 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 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 to the central longitudinal axis.Any of the magnets can be a single unit or can be composed of two or more magnet portions, as required or desired for a particular physical implementation of the description. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may be a laminar 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 alternated such that the first material layer(s) and the second material layer(s) are coupled together, which may include one of the second material layers disposed between adjacent first material layers (i.e., if two or more first material layers are present). In at least one embodiment, the first material layers may be configured to fail independently of the failure of any other first material layers. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate in concentric rings. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials alternate along the longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the second material may be a phase-change material. For example, the second material may have higher tensile strength than the first material in a first phase and lower tensile strength than the first material in a second phase. In at least one embodiment, the second material may be configured to selectively decouple the first material layers from each other and / or 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 decouple the flywheel from the shaft. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel can be a porous flywheel comprising a porous flywheel body having a radially outer surface and an internal pore matrix. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc or other barrier, such as a strip or wall, can be attached to the radially outer surface of the flywheel body to seal the MA / IZ / ¿U¿O / U¿O1 uo poros. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of structural support members can be attached to the steering wheel body. The structural support members can be oriented radially outward from a central longitudinal axis of the steering wheel body. In at least one embodiment, a mass distribution material can be sealed within the pore matrix of the steering wheel body. In at least one embodiment, the system may include a flywheel shaft, which may include one or more shaft portions and may be coupled to and / or form part of one or more bearings or bearing portions. In at least one embodiment, a flywheel shaft may be coupled between a flywheel and a second bearing portion, such as a rotor bearing portion, or otherwise coupled to it. In at least one embodiment, the shaft may include a first shaft portion with a magnet or magnets and a second shaft portion with a magnet or magnets. In at least one embodiment, one magnet may be disposed adjacent to a first end of the flywheel and another magnet may be disposed adjacent to a second end of the flywheel. The magnets may attract each other and may be configured to couple the flywheel to the flywheel shaft by placing or inserting at least a portion of the flywheel between the magnets. Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system as described. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of the embodiment in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a detailed schematic view of a portion of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of another of many arrangements of the embodiment in Figures 1 through 4 according to the disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates a schematic side view of another of many embodiments of a bearing system according to the disclosure. Figure 6A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system having a control system as described.Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system as described. Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another of many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system as described. Figures 1 to 8 will be described together. The bearing system 100 may include a plurality of bearing portions to support movement relative to one another, such as a first bearing portion 102 and a second bearing portion 104. The first bearing portion 102, the second bearing portion 104, and one or more additional bearing portions may be referred to herein as a bearing portion or simply a portion followed by a corresponding reference number (e.g., portion 102) for convenience and brevity. Bearing portions 102 and 104 may be rotatably coupled to one another to permit one portion to rotate relative to the other. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I uo as described below. The first and second parts 102, 104 may be cylindrical, which may include having a circular cross-section or another cross-sectional shape, such as polyhedral. One or more of the first and second portions 102, 104 may, but do not necessarily, be annular, ring-shaped, or tubular. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 for illustrative purposes, the first and second portions 102, 104 may have openings 106, 108 passing through them, respectively, as central openings or holes. However, this need not be the case, and, for example, part 102 need not have an opening passing through it. Rather, portion 102 may have a solid cross-section, which may include being disk-shaped or disc-shaped.The first and second portions 102, 104 can be arranged around an axis A, such as a central longitudinal axis or other axis, which can be any axis required by a particular application, including an axis around which one or more of the bearing portions can rotate. The bearing portion 104 can have inner and outer surfaces, such as inner surface 104A and outer surface 104B. Similarly, part 102 can have inner and outer surfaces (e.g., in an embodiment where part 102 is annular), such as an inner surface 102A (see FIG. 2) and an outer surface 102B. The system 100 may include one or more supports 110 for clamping or otherwise supporting one or more of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104. For example, a bearing portion may be coupled to a support to at least partially support the respective bearing portion, either separately or in combination with one or more components. In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, the support 110 may be a shaft, rod, tube, or other support (e.g., as described elsewhere herein), such as a shaft, 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 a particular application, which may, but does not necessarily, include the use of one or more couplers, such as fasteners, adhesives, or other couplings, to hold one or more components in position.Alternatively, or collectively, part 102 may be coupled to the support 110 other than by the use of fastening elements, including by press fit or integral formation with it, in whole or in part. Following reference to Figures 1 to 8, and specific reference to Figures 2 and 3, system 100 may include a housing 112 to at least partially cover or otherwise support one or more bearing portions. For example, the housing 112 may be coupled to an outer portion of the bearing part 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 elements or other components for communicating or cooperating with other parts of a motion system, such as a conveyor system. For example, in at least one embodiment, which is... MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υυ only one of many, the bearing system 100 may be at least part of a wheel assembly, wherein the bearing portion 104 may be coupled to (including forming part of) a wheel and housing 112 may be or include a tire coupled to the wheel. In such an embodiment, the bearing portion 104 and / or the housing 112 may be configured to communicate with a bearing surface, such as a road or track, to move along it. For example, the outer surface 104B of the bearing portion 104 (and the housing 112, if present) may include a groove or notch for moving along a track, although this need not be the case, and alternatively, these components may be flat, curved, contoured, or any other shape required by a particular application. As illustrated, for example, in Figures 1 and 2, bearing portions 102, 104 may be annular, but not necessarily, and each may consist of a single body. However, this need not be the case, and alternatively, one or more of the bearing portions 102, 104 may include one or more subportions, such as segments, sections, or pieces, arranged together to form or approximate a ring or similar shape (see FIG. 6). For example, bearing portion 102 may include a plurality of subportions 114A, 114B, 114C (... 114n) (collectively referred to as subportions 114), and bearing portion 104 may include a plurality of subportions 116A, 116B, 116C (... 116n) (collectively referred to as subportions 116). If composed of subparts according to a particular modality, a bearing portion 102, 104 may include any number of subparts 114, 116, such as two, three, several dozen, or more.The number of sub-portions, if any, may depend on any number of implementation-specific factors, such as the availability of radially magnetized annular rings, the cost / benefit of using integral annular rings versus two or more ring segments or other portions, or other considerations. For example, radially magnetizing an integral ring can be time-consuming and / or expensive, and in at least one modality, it may be easier and / or cheaper to approximate a radially magnetized annular ring using arc segments that are approximately radially magnetized or a plurality of flat or otherwise arranged in a polyhedral shape that approximates a circle or ring.The segments or other parts may be magnetized, for example in the same radial direction, to form or approximately form one or more rings (a plurality of which may comprise system 120, or a bearing part 102, 104, for example). Furthermore, the sub-portions may be coupled to one another, for example by arranging them side by side (with or without a space or other material between them), in any manner required by a particular application, which may, but does not need to, include the use of one or more couplers 118A, 118B, 118C (collectively referred to as coupler 118) to couple one or more sub-parts to one another. Coupler 118 may be or include. ML / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I uo any type of coupler required by a particular application, and may be coupled to two or more subportions in any manner, such as, for example, to the inside, outside, or side of the subportions, separately or in combination. In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, the coupler 118 may include a substrate or substrate coupled along one or more sides of a plurality of adjacent subportions, which may, but do not necessarily, include a substrate coupled on both sides, inside and outside portions, or surfaces of such subportions. Alternatively, or collectively, the coupler 118 may include one or more couplers or parts thereof disposed between adjacent segments (for example, couplers 118C). Referring to Figures 1 to 8, the composition and coupling of the first and second bearing portions 102 and 104 will now be described in more detail. Generally speaking, one of the first and second bearing portions 102 and 104 may be composed at least partially of a superconductor, such as a high-temperature superconducting material (also known as HTS or high Te), while the other of the first and second bearing portions 102 and 104 may be composed at least partially of a magnetized material or a magnet. For example, the inner bearing portion 102 may include one or more HTS portions, and the outer bearing portion 104 may include one or more magnets. As another example, the inner bearing portion 102 may include one or more magnets, and the outer bearing portion 104 may include one or more HTS portions.The terms "inner" and "outer" are used here to refer to one or more of the exemplary modalities (which are some of many) shown in the accompanying Figures for convenience and explanatory purposes and are not intended to be limiting. For example, in the exemplary modality of Figure 1, bearing portion 102 may be referred to as the inner portion, while bearing portion 104 may be referred to as the outer portion. Similarly, as described elsewhere herein, certain bearing portions (which may include any bearing portion) may include HTS material, while other bearing portions (which may include any other bearing portion) may include one or more magnets (or magnetic material(s)); according to this, such portions may be referred to herein respectively as the HTS bearing portion and the magnet (or magnetic) bearing portion for convenience and clarity of purpose.An HTS bearing portion can be formed uniformly from a single HTS material, but this is not necessary, and alternatively it can be formed from a plurality of HTS materials combined with each other and / or with one or more non-HTS materials. Similarly, a magnetic bearing portion can be formed uniformly from a single magnetic material, but this is not necessary, and alternatively it can be formed from one or more magnetic materials combined with each other and / or with one or more non-magnetic materials. While the magnetic bearing portion can be formed, for example, from one or more permanent magnets (e.g., MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υο example, rare earth magnets, other ferromagnetic materials, etc.), is not necessary, and alternatively may be or include one or more electromagnets, separately, or in combination with the permanent magnets. System 100 may include bearing portions (e.g., first and second bearing portions 102, 104) comprising any type of HTS material suitable for a particular application, whether now known or developed in the future. For example, it is anticipated that materials capable of having superconducting properties at higher transition temperatures (relative to currently known materials) will be known in the future, one or more of which may be suitable for use in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, a material exhibiting superconducting properties at or near room or atmospheric temperature (e.g.HTS materials (in the range of about 0 °F to about 100 °F) could be used for one or more of the modes of this disclosure, taking into consideration, of course, one or more other implementation-specific factors such as mechanical properties or other factors that a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand to have the benefits of the present description. Examples of known HTS materials suitable for use in one or more of the modes of this description include, but are not limited to, type II superconductors, such as copper oxide superconductors, including HgBa2Ca2Cu3Ox, B12Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 (BSCCO), and YBa2Cu3O(7-X) (barium-copper oxide or YBCO), as well as iron-based superconductors, including SmFeAs(O,F), CeFeAs(O,F), and LaFeAs(O,F). YBCO, for example, can be considered one of the most widely available and commonly used HTS materials today.However, at least one embodiment of the present description may include any superconductor having flux-fixing properties as described elsewhere herein. A specific type of YBCO known as melt-textured YBCO may be useful for some applications of the present invention, for example, because it can allow the material domains to be oriented along the same direction, which may permit relatively higher (relative to some other HTS materials) avoidance forces under certain circumstances. In this process, after YBCO is prepared, it is re-melted with a seed material placed on top of it to direct the remaining material (e.g., single crystals of MgO or Sm 123 can be used). An example of a process for synthesizing melt-textured YBCO can be found in the available literature (see, for example, Litzkendorf, D. et al.).Batch processing and bonding of YBCO fusion-textured motor applications. 5107, 1-4 (1998). Briefly, a commercial powder of YBa2Cu3O(7-x) that has been pre-reacted with an excess of Y2O3 can be used. These materials can be homogeneously mixed, for example, by uniaxial pressing into cylindrical blocks. The blocks can be heated in furnaces using a molten growth process (e.g., using a... MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υο seed material as mentioned above), are slowly cooled, and finally oxygenated in a separate procedure. Alternatively, superconductors can be produced in blocks of different shapes, for example, rods or other blocks having cross-sectional shapes such as square, rectangular, oval, or oblong, among others. The lifetime of HTS can depend on the environment in which it is found, and one or more conditions can lead to HTS degradation over time. For example, YBCO can react with water, so humidity in the atmosphere or other environment can lead to YBCO degradation, such as when the humidity is above 40% (see, for example, Roa, JJ et al. Surface & Coatings Technology 206, 4256-4261 (2012)).However, even in such a case, the surface of an HTS block may degrade before an internal portion, potentially leading to the formation of a barrier that can slow the degradation of the remaining material. In an application like levitation, for example, the bulk material properties may be more important than the surface properties, although this is not always the case. In one study, YBCO exposed to water was found to lose approximately 12.5% ​​of its levitation strength twenty hours after synthesis, but then remained constant (see Sriram, M.A., Ponce, L., & Murr, L.E., "Modeling superconductor degradation using magnetic levitation," FEBS Lett 58, 1208–1210 (1991)). Furthermore, in this study, no observable degradation was found in YBCO that was not exposed to moisture for more than one month (Id.).To help ensure the material's long-term usefulness, it can be protected from air and moisture, as described in more detail below. As another example, HTS materials can degrade when oxygen diffuses out of the material. In other words, the amount of oxygen in an HTS material can be important for its superconducting properties, so when oxygen diffuses out, the material can become less superconducting over time. Oxygen can diffuse more rapidly when the material is heated to relatively high temperatures. When the material is at relatively low temperatures (as may currently be necessary for YBCO to be superconducting), the diffusion of oxygen out of the material can be at least partially suppressed (see, for example, Truchly, M. et al. Studies of degradation of YBa 2Cu3O6 + xy surface conductivity properties by Scanning Spread Resistance Microscopy).Therefore, the degradation of HTS can be reduced, at least partially, for example, in an atmosphere-free environment (such as pure nitrogen or a vacuum) and at relatively low temperatures (such as that of liquid nitrogen). It is possible that materials will be discovered in the future that do not suffer (or at least suffer less from) one or more of the aforementioned limitations. The HTS materials mentioned in... MA / Ó / UZO I υυ This document and other HTS materials may be used separately or in combination, either with each other or with one or more materials, as required by a particular application of this disclosure. Furthermore, the 100 system may include bearing portions (e.g., first and second bearing portions 102, 104) comprising any type of magnet (e.g., magnetic or magnetized material) suitable for a particular application, whether now known or developed in the future. Examples of known magnets suitable for use in one or more embodiments of the present description include, but are not limited to, Nd2Fei4B (neodymium magnets) and SmCos (samarium-cobalt alloy magnets). Other examples may include magnets fabricated from iron alloys with nickel, cobalt, and / or aluminum, or other materials, such as titanium, copper, and / or niobium, among others. Alternatively, or collectively, one or more electromagnets may be used.In an embodiment where the magnetic bearing portion has an annular or similar shape (which may be any of the bearing portions 102, 104, as explained in more detail elsewhere in this document), the bearing portion (or one or more rings thereof) may be continuous or alternatively composed of several segments, arcs, or other sub-parts. In the latter case, it may be advantageous in at least some embodiments for the segmented portion to approximate a non-segmented structure as closely as possible under the circumstances (considering factors such as cost, material availability, size, application, etc.), which may at least partially reduce the potential for non-uniformity of the radial magnetic field in the circumferential direction and, therefore, resistance to rotation.However, this need not be the case, and varying strength values ​​may be acceptable in one or more of the applicant's descriptions or applications. Returning to the coupling of the bearing portions, the first and second bearing portions 102, 104 can 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 magnetic bearing portion (the other of the first and second bearing portions 102, 104). Such communication can be based, at least in part, on the properties of superconductors and high-temperature magnets and the ways in which these materials interact with each other. More specifically, two effects that can be used in the present description include the Meissner effect and flux locking.The Meissner effect can be described as the repulsion of magnetic flux lines from the interior of a superconductor as it cools through its superconducting transition temperature (Tc), or, in other words, the expulsion of a magnetic field from a superconductor during its transition to the superconducting state. The magnetic field can be expelled upon cooling through Tc. For Type II superconductors, there can be two critical magnetic fields, Hci and Hc2. If the magnetic field present in a particular application is less than Hci, it is possible that no magnetic field will penetrate the application. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I superconductor. If the magnetic field is between Hci and HC2, the magnetic field can penetrate through certain parts of the material. Beyond HC2, superconductivity can be at least partially suppressed, which can result in the material no longer being in a superconducting state. The term flux locking can refer to an effect exhibited by Type II superconductors (including HTS materials). Magnetic flux can be defined as the component of a magnetic field that passes through a particular surface. Flux locking can occur, for example, in Type II superconductors, because there are regions of the HTS material that are not superconducting and other regions that are.Because magnetic flux can pass through the first (non-superconducting) regions but not the last (superconducting) regions, a magnet can be effectively held in place relative to a corresponding HTS structure. This flux-holding effect can, for example, allow a superconductor to levitate above a magnet, or vice versa. The load-carrying capacity of the levitated component may depend, at least in part, on the surface areas of the respective components, among other factors such as the quality or type of HTS materials used, or the critical field (Hc2) or critical current density (Je), which can vary depending on the type of HTS material. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, at least one embodiment of the present description may include a first bearing portion 102 in the form of a disc or ring and a second annular bearing portion 104 rotatably coupled to the first portion, as described below. In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, the first part 102 may be the HTS part and the second part 104 may be the magnetic part, or vice versa, and the second bearing portion 104 may be magnetically coupled to part 102 with a gap 126 between them, such as a uniform, non-uniform, fixed, variable, or other gap. 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 materials may alternatively have shapes other than discs and rings, as explained elsewhere herein.The first part 102 may be an HTS part and may, for example, be ring-shaped (or have another shape with one or more openings). In such an embodiment, which is only one of many, a support 110 may be coupled with the first part 102, which may include being disposed in the opening 106, and may be adapted to support the cooling of the bearing portion. For example, the support 110 (e.g., a shaft, spindle, or other support) may be composed at least partially of a heat-conducting material (e.g., copper, aluminum, or another metal) and may be coupled in thermal communication with the bearing portion 102 to remove heat from it. As another example, the support 110 need not pass through the bearing portion 102 and may be disposed partially in or alongside it while remaining in a supporting and / or heat-transfer relationship.Part 102 and support 110 may, but need not, be in direct contact with each other, and system 100 may include, for example, a heat transfer medium disposed at least partially between them (for example, a heat transfer gel, gasket, or other material). As shown in Figures 3 and 4 for illustrative purposes, the second bearing portion 104 may include a magnetic ring for mating with a first HTS bearing portion 102 (alternatively, the first bearing portion 102 may include a magnetic ring for mating with a second HTS bearing portion 104). In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, the second bearing portion 104 (or the first portion 102, as the case may be) may include a plurality of interlocking magnetic rings, such as 2, 3, 4, or up to 12 or more, which may include being arranged adjacently (in direct contact or not) to each other. As shown in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the bearing portion 102 (or portion 102, see, for example, Figure 8) may include three magnetic rings 120A, 120B, and 120C (collectively, rings 120). However, this is just one example, and more or fewer rings can be used (including a single ring).Each ring 120 can be magnetized with one pole on a first side or surface, such as an inner surface 122, and one pole on a second side or surface, such as an outer surface 124. As explained elsewhere in this document, in practice, one can alternatively magnetize multiple arc segments and couple them together to at least approximate the magnetization of one or more of the rings 120 (the term ring as used herein includes both unitary rings and segmented rings formed from a plurality of pieces, unless otherwise stated). The rings 120 can be coupled together to create a relatively large or increased gradient in the magnetic field in an axial direction, while maintaining a relatively uniform field in a circumferential direction, as illustrated, for example, by the magnetic flux lines B (simplified, for clarity) shown in FIG.4 (see also Figure 5, described below). Variables such as gradient magnitude and field uniformity will, of course, be implementation-specific, may vary from application to application, and may depend on any number of application-specific considerations, such as material types, magnet strength, magnet size, load-bearing requirements, loading conditions, temperature, and other factors (e.g., those discussed elsewhere in this document), either separately or in combination. Magnetic field uniformity of the magnets can be important, for example, because steep gradients in a circumferential direction can cause a force on the HTS material that can effectively act as friction (and thus be a source of energy loss), but the 120 rings do not need to be perfectly uniform with each other.For example, at least one previous study has shown that even without a perfectly uniform magnetic field, the torque. The resulting MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υυ due to the lack of uniformity in the case of a superconducting-magnet interface is small and independent of speed (see Lee, E., Ma, K., Wilson, TL & Chu, W.-K. Superconducting magnetic bearings with inherent stability and speed-independent drag torque. 1999 IEEE / ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (1999)). Another study analyzed the effect of air gaps between magnets on the levitation force and found that for an air gap of 0.5 mm between the magnets studied, there is less than 1% variation in the levitation force at a levitation height of 15 mm. In other words, because the superconductor was separated by > 10 mm from the surface of the magnets in the study, the superconductor did not easily see the fluctuation of the magnetic field in such a configuration (see Liu, M., Wang, S., Wang, J. & Ma, G.).Influence of the air gap between adjacent permanent magnets on the performance of the NdFeB waveguide for the HTS Maglev system. Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism Ti , 431-435 (2008)). Returning to the structure and arrangement of the present invention, the system 100 may include a plurality of rings 120 arranged, for example, such that in an axial direction, the inner surfaces 122 are arranged NSN (N meaning north and S meaning south) and the outer surfaces 124 are arranged SNS (see, for example, FIG. 4). As another example, the rings 120 may be coupled such that the inner surfaces 122 are arranged SNS and the outer surfaces 124 are arranged NSN (see, for example, FIG. 5). As illustrated in these two exemplary embodiments, which are only two of many, the rings 120 may cooperate with each other to create a magnetic field gradient in an axial direction (i.e., in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 5).5) which resists or at least partially prevents axial movement of the first and second bearing parts 102, 104 relative to each other (see, for example, the simplified magnetic flux lines B in FIG. 5). Rings 120A and 120B (or AB) and rings 120B and 120C (or BC) can create respective forces in both directions (i.e., both left and right, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5). When the HTS portion moves (or is subjected to a force that would tend to move it), for example, to the left (looking at Figure 5), BC can skew or pull it toward one central location or another relative to the magnet portion, while AB can deflect or push it toward that location. Similarly, if the HTS portion moves (or is subjected to a force that would tend to move it) to the right (as shown in FIG. 5 for illustrative purposes), BC can push against that movement while AB can pull against that movement.This can occur because the HTS wants to maintain the same fixed flux configuration within it. In other words, when the magnetic field moves relative to the HTS, the HTS may tend to move in a direction that can restore it to its previous configuration, such as a default setting (for example, it may return to a central location above ring 120B in the case of Fig. 5). In this way, the magnetic relationship of, for example, rings 120A and 120B, and rings 120B and 120C, respectively, can create forces that tend to deflect bearing portion 104 toward a central position (or another position, as the case may be) relative to bearing portion 102 (which is an HTS bearing portion in the example of Fig. 5), or vice versa. The configurations described herein may alternatively include other arrangements and numbers of rings. For example, system 100 may include a bearing portion 102, 104 having five rings with internal or external surfaces in an S-NS-NS arrangement (opposing surfaces being NSNSN) in an axial direction, or NSNSNSNSN (opposing surfaces being SNNSNSNSNS), etc., among others. As another example, the rings 120 may be arranged in an arrangement known as a Halbach array, which can help improve the magnetic field on one side of the magnets. Other arrangements may also be used. For example, the rings 120 need not be arranged NSNSN, etc.Alternatively, they can be coupled or otherwise arranged in other configurations to create an axial magnetic field gradient and circumferential field uniformity sufficient to support a particular application (which may include gradients and uniformities of any magnitude or character), such as, for example, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up. In such a configuration, the directions may refer to the direction of the north or south pole of a magnet. For example, the exemplary configuration in Figure 5, which is only one of many, may be described as north up, north right, north down, north left, north up. Due to the effects of magnetic flux locking, in magnetic field arrangements such as those described above for rings 120 as an example, bearing portion 104 can rotate or spin in a circumferential direction with respect to bearing portion 102 (e.g., around axis A), but it can resist displacement in an axial direction (e.g., along axis A). The Meissner effect can maintain a force between the HTS and the magnet(s) in a radial direction, which can prevent the first and second bearing portions from coming into contact with each other, such as when they are under a load (e.g., a load in a direction perpendicular to axis A).The Meissner effect can become stronger as the bearing portions approach each other (or are subjected to radial forces that would tend to bring them closer together), which can at least partially counteract such forces, while the flux-fixing effect can effectively deflect the bearing portions toward a concentric position as shown in the Figures. In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the surface areas of the magnet and the bearing portions of the HTS can be maximized, which can at least help maximize the load-bearing capacity of the support system. Such maximizations are, of course, application-specific and may depend on any number of factors, such as size, material, and other constraints. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I cost, among others, such as the methods of manufacturing materials, as a person with ordinary experience in the technique will understand, have the benefits of the present disclosure. One or more modes of the present description, such as one or more of those described above, may remain stable under one or more disturbances, as described in more detail elsewhere in this document. Such modes may not require active feedback, such as from one or more sensors coupled to a controller, although such control and feedback systems may be included in at least one mode of the present description. For example, system 100 may include active feedback or another control system 150 to monitor or control one or more aspects of the system (see FIG. 6A). In such a mode, which is only one of many, one or more magnets, such as an annular magnet, may be embedded in or otherwise coupled to one or more bearing portions of the system (which could be any bearing portion, such as a magnet, HTS portion).As shown in Figure 6A by way of example, a magnet (or a plurality of magnets) 152A can be coupled to the bearing portion 102 in such a way that it can interact repulsively with a magnet (or a plurality of magnets) 152B in the bearing portion 104. One or more of the magnets 152A, 152B can be electromagnets, for example, and a repulsive interaction between them can be actively or otherwise modified by a controller 154, such as on the basis of feedback or other data from one or more sensors 156 (for example, pressure, voltage, current, magnetic field, force, temperature, or other sensors), separately or in combination. For example, the control system 150 can be adapted to monitor and / or control one or more of the gauges 152A, 152B (if present) based on one or more feedbacks, measurements, or other inputs, such as to maintain system stability.In at least one embodiment, a system 100 has a control system 150 that can be adapted to modify the field strength of one or more of the magnets 152A, 152B, such as, for example, to increase, decrease, or otherwise control the charging capacity, or charged configuration, of the system. It is understood, of course, that the control system 150 need not be present in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, and that the system 100 may include one or more magnets 152A, 152B separate and distinct from the control system 150. As explained above, system 100 may include a housing 112 coupled to the bearing portion 104. In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, the housing 112 may be a tire or other structure for contacting a surface or object to move relative to it. The housing 112 may be composed of any material required by a particular application, such as rubber, metal, carbon fiber, plastic, nylon, or other material suitable for contact with a surface to be engaged. The housing 112 and the bearing portion 104 may be coupled in any manner required by the application. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I a particular application, which may include coupling to each other by means of fasteners, adhesives, or other couplers, separately or in combination. Housing 112 and part 104 can be elastically coupled to each other to remain coupled in applications where bearing part 104 may be subjected to relatively high rotational speeds. For example, in an embodiment where system 100 is used in a wheel assembly (as described later), at 100,000 RPM, the total force that may be required to hold a 7 kg wheel together (weight excluding the HTS, which is stationary) may be approximately 700,000 pounds. However, a material such as carbon fiber may have a maximum tensile strength of approximately 3.5 GPa (and a Young's modulus well above that), which may correspond to approximately 500,000 PSI.In such a configuration, therefore, a tire with a cross-sectional area of ​​several square inches may be sufficient to hold the wheel together during rotation. As stronger materials (such as carbon nanotubes) become available, the maximum potential RPM of a wheel assembly application using the present inventions is expected to improve further. Referring to Figures 1 through 8, and specifically to Figures 7 and 8, System 100 may include a cooling system 200, which can be any type of cooling system required by a particular application, such as a heat removal or refrigeration system, to cool one or more components of the bearing system. For example, Cooling System 200 may maintain, at least partially, one or more HTS components at a temperature, or within a temperature range, sufficient to allow the HTS materials to exhibit superconducting properties (e.g., at or below the transition temperature, the critical temperature at which the electrical resistivity of the material drops to zero).The cooling system 200 can be any of the many different types of cooling systems known in the art, used separately or in combination, to maintain a low temperature for a superconducting or other material. Alternatively, the cooling system 200 can be specifically developed according to particular applications of this disclosure. As examples, the cooling system 200 can be or include a closed-cycle refrigeration system or a cryogenic fluid system, used separately or in combination. For example, the cooling system 200 can include a cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen, and one or more components of system 100 can be immersed in the cryogenic fluid. In such an embodiment (one of many), a cryogenic fluid can provide cooling energy by evaporation.As another example, the cooling system 200 may be or include a closed-cycle refrigerator, which may contain a fluid (e.g., a gas such as helium) with suitable heat transfer characteristics and may use compression, heat exchange, and expansion processes to provide cooling energy. For example, the cooling system 200 may be or include a so-called Gifford-McMahon refrigerator, which may include a compressor and a cold head (e.g., a cold plate) or other cooling structure. In such a configuration (one of many), one or more components of the system 200 may, but are not required to, be arranged distally from one another, which may allow for greater flexibility, as described in more detail below. As mentioned above, the cooling system 200 may, but does not need 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 arranged in thermal contact with one or more components of system 100, such as the bearing portion 102. In an embodiment where the bearing portion 102 includes HTS material(s), for example, the support 110 may 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 system 100.The cooling assembly 202 can be any type of cooling assembly required by a particular application, including a device adapted to maintain relatively low temperatures within an internal portion 204 thereof for cooling material disposed therein or otherwise thermally coupled thereto. The internal portion 204 may be at least partially insulated from the surrounding environment, such as the atmosphere. The internal portion 204 may be at least partially adapted to resist heat transfer, for example, by conduction, radiation, or otherwise. Heat transfer by conduction (i.e., air molecules transferring heat through a wall of the cooling assembly) may, but need not, be at least partially limited by maintaining at least a partial vacuum within the internal portion 204.Heat transfer by radiation can be minimized, at least partially, by using so-called superinsulation, such as to reflect incoming radiation. For example, the cooling assembly 202 (or parts thereof, such as the inner part 204) may include one or more superinsulating materials, such as polymers or other aerogels, and one or more superinsulating structures or techniques, such as double walls, either separately or in combination. The cooling assembly 202 may be made of any material (or combination of materials) required by a particular application, such as metal, glass, plastic, fiberglass, or other material. The cooling assembly 202 may, but does not need to, include one or more intermediate parts 206 arranged at least partially within the space 126 between the first and second bearing parts 102, 104.In such a modality, which is only one of many, the intermediate part 206 can preferably be formed from a material that is not magnetized or is otherwise adapted to at least minimize (or eliminate) any interference or effect on the coupling interaction between the portions of. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I I bearing. 102, 104. For example, the intermediate portion 206 (if present) may be designed to occupy a minimal amount (for example, in light of the requirements of a particular application in question) of space between the magnet and HTS portions. In an embodiment in which the inner bearing portion 102 is the HTS bearing portion (see, for example, FIG. 7), the cooling assembly 202 may have one or more parts, such as a first part 202A and a second part 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 refrigeration assembly 202 may comprise a single refrigeration assembly structure or may be separate refrigeration assembly structures.In any case, the first and second portions 202A, 202B may, but do not need to, be in fluid communication with each other, either by forming an integral part of each other or otherwise, such as by being fluidly coupled to each other by means of one or more fluid passages, which may include one or more hoses, conduits, fittings, valves, and other fluid communication structures required by a particular application. The cooling assembly 202 may include one or more openings 208, such as inlets, outlets, or other passages, for fluid communication with each other or with one or more components of system 100, separately or in combination. For example, system 100 may include one or more fluid sources 210 for supplying cooling fluid 214 to the cooling assembly 202, for example, through one or more fluid conduits 212, separately or in combination with one or more fluid components (for example, fittings, valves, and the like).In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, 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, FIG. 7). In such an embodiment, the fluid 214 may be a cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen or another fluid, and the fluid source 210 may supply fluid 214 to the assembly 202 (including one or more portions 202A, 202B) as required to cool the bearing portion 102 according to a particular application. Furthermore, the assembly 202 may, but is not required to, include one or more outlets 216, such as a vent, a one-way or multi-way valve, a check valve, or other passage to allow fluid to escape from the internal portion 204 of the assembly 202.For example, outlet 216 may allow the outgoing gas from an evaporating or evaporating liquid or other refrigerant to exit the assembly 202 or a portion thereof. As another example, one or more of the first and second portions 202A, 202B of the cooling assembly 202 may be or include a cold head arranged in a heat transfer relationship with at least a portion of the bearing portion 102. In such an embodiment, one or more of the first and second portions 202A, 202B may be, but are not required to be, isolated from the surroundings to perform a role similar to or the same as that of the cryostat in the cryogenic liquid example, and the fluid source 210 may circulate a refrigerant through the assembly 202, including into and out of the respective openings 208 (e.g., one or more inlets and one or more outlets). In another of many forms, in which the external bearing portion 104 is the bearing portion of the HTS (see, for example, FIG.8), the first and second parts 202A, 202B can be thermally coupled to at least a portion of the bearing portion 104. In such embodiment, the first and second portions 202A, 202B of the cooling assembly 202 can, but need not, be separated from each other and can be coupled to the bearing portion 104 at any location required by a particular application. As shown in Figure 8 by way of example, the first and second portions 202A, 202B may be coupled to one or more sides of the bearing portion 104, or alternatively (or collectively) may be coupled to a top, bottom, inner or outer surface of the bearing portion 104. In addition, each of the first and second portions 202A, 202B may, but need not, include a plurality of separate cooling portions, which may be in fluid and / or thermal communication with each other or, alternatively, may be fluidically and / or thermally isolated.Conversely, the illustrative arrangement of the cooling system 200 shown in Figure 8 functions similarly to that described above with reference to Figure 7 and, therefore, it is not necessary to describe it again in detail here. In any case, or in other modalities of the Applicant's disclosure, the cooling assembly 202 (or one or more parts thereof, such as parts 202A, 202B) may be securely attached to a respective bearing portion to at least minimize (or prevent) any movement, either between themselves or with one or more components of system 100. For example, the cooling assembly 202 (or one or more parts thereof, such as parts 202A, 202B) may, but is not required to, be securely coupled to bearing portion 102, bearing portion 104, support 110, or another component of bearing system 100, separately or in combination, directly or indirectly.In an embodiment where a superconducting portion is arranged in a rotating bearing portion (e.g., bearing portion 104), a liquid cryogen cooling method can be used, which can at least reduce the amount of weight (e.g., of system components) added to a rotating part of the system versus one or more cooling systems. However, this need not be the case, and another cooling method can be used for one or more applications described herein. In an embodiment where a superconducting portion is arranged in a rotating or otherwise stationary part of system 100 (e.g., bearing portion 102), the addition of cooling system components 200 to a rotating portion of system 100 may be a lesser concern, depending on the application.As a person with ordinary knowledge of having the benefits of Applicant disclosure will readily understand, the 200 cooling system can, and in at least some modalities probably will. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I may include many other cooling components, such as ducts, lines, hoses, fittings, valves, pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, evaporators, fins, tubes, and fans or other air impellers, among others. Consequently, such items known in the art need not be described in detail in this document. As further examples, the cooling system 200 may, but is not required to, include one or more control systems, which 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 control system or refrigeration system applications.It will be noted that the control system 150 described above (if present) may also include one or more of the above components. Having previously described one or more modalities of the systems and methods in this disclosure, one or more additional modalities will now be described. A person skilled in the art who benefits from this description will appreciate that one or more of the principles or aspects of the preceding modalities can be applied equally to one or more of the following modalities, and vice versa. Accordingly, certain aspects described above need not be, and cannot be, repeated below. Figure 9 illustrates an isometric view of one of many configurations of a wheel assembly as described. Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the configuration shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 is another schematic side view of the configuration shown in Figure 9. Figure 12 is a schematic top cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in Figures 9 to 11. Figures 9 to 12 will be described together. In at least one embodiment of the present description, a bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be, or may be incorporated into, one or more systems or apparatus for motion or for supporting motion. As one of many examples, a bearing system 300 may be, or include, an assembly of wheels for supporting rotational motion, and may include a bearing 302 coupled to one or more components for motion, 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 document, one of the 302A, 302B bearing portions can be an HTS bearing portion and the other 302A, 302B bearing portion can be a magnetic bearing portion. Of course, it will be appreciated that either of the 302A, 302B bearing portions can be the HTS portion while the other can be the magnetic portion as required or desired for a given application. ML / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I particular implementation in question. It will also be appreciated that the relational terms used here (e.g., inside, outside, first, second, etc.) are used for clarity and convenience of explanation, and that each 302A, 302B bearing portion may, but need not, include a plurality of HTS and / or magnetic portions, separately or in combination with each other and / or one or more other non-HTS or non-magnetic portions (e.g., couplers, housings, covers, or other components). In the modality example in Figure 9 included for illustrative purposes (which is only one of many), part 302A is shown as the HTS portion and part 302B is shown as the magnet portion, but this need not be the case (as explained above and elsewhere in this document).Bearing portion 302A can be coupled to support 304, which may be or include a shaft, axle, bar, rail, or other structure, and which may, but need not, be adapted to rotate or otherwise move. Portion 302A and support 304 can be coupled in any manner required by a particular application, including directly, indirectly, as a single unit, or otherwise, in whole or in part. Bearing portion 302B can be magnetically coupled to bearing portion 302A as explained elsewhere in this description, such as with respect to bearing system 100 described above, and 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 can be or include a wheel adapted to rotate about axis A, which may, but does not necessarily, be a central longitudinal shaft of support 304.The 302B bearing portion may include a 306 outer bearing portion, which may, but does not necessarily, include a tire, cover, housing, lining, or other structure or surface (of any shape) adapted to make contact with a 300 surface support system. The 302B bearing portion and the 306 outer portion may be integrally formed or may be formed separately and coupled together, in whole or in part, which may, but does not necessarily, include the use of one or more fasteners, adhesives, or other couplers. In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, a bearing system 300 may include a drive system 308 for moving one of the bearing portions 302A, 302B relative to the other and / or one or more system components. The drive system 308 may include a controller 310 for driving or otherwise causing or inducing one or more system components to move, for example, rotaryly or otherwise. The drive 310 may be coupled to the support 304, but is not required to be, and alternatively (or collectively) may be coupled to one or more supports, or may be self-supporting, for example. In at least one embodiment, the controller 310 may be or include an electromagnetic controller (as described below), but is not required to be, and may be any type of controller required by a particular application, such as a mechanical, electrical, or ML / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υυ electromechanical, drive assembly. For example, the impeller 310 may be or include a rotating shaft, such as a drive shaft driven by a motor, engine, pump, or other prime mover, or, as other examples, a transmission, power take-off system, or drive linkage system. The drive system 308 may include a drive part 312 coupled to the impeller 310, which may be adapted to drive a driven part 314. The driven part 314 may include, for example, a structure coupled to one or more bearing portions, such as the bearing portion 302B, including being integral with it, in whole or in part. The drive part may, but need not, include one or more drive couplers 316; similarly, the driven part 314 may, but need not, include one or more driven couplers 318.Each of the 312, 314 portions may include any number of 316, 318 couplers required by a particular application, one or more of which may be coupled to each other and to the respective driving portions in any manner suitable for the application in question (including integrally), whole or in part. For example, each 316, 318 coupler may be coupled to one or more similar couplers, or alternatively, each 316, 318 coupler may be separate; furthermore, one or more couplers may be replaceable, such as being removably coupled to one or more components, such as a respective 312, 314 portion. A driving part 312 may have the same number (which may be any number) of driving parts 316 as a corresponding driven part 314 has driven couplers 318; alternatively, the 300 system may include different numbers of corresponding 316, 318 couplers.One or more drive couplers 314 (if any) may be coupled to one or more driven couplers 318 (if any) to couple the drive portion 312 and the driven portion 314 to each other. Alternatively (or collectively), one or more of the drive and driven portions 312, 314 may not include couplers, and one portion may be coupled to the coupler(s) of the other portion. Or, as another example, the couplers 316, 318 may be entirely absent, and the drive portions 312, 314 may be coupled to each other without the use of couplers, either directly or otherwise. In at least one embodiment, the driving part 312 can be mechanically coupled to the driven part 314, such as to rotate part 314 about axis A. For example, one or more corresponding coupler assemblies 316, 318 (including one or more coupler assemblies) can be coupled together, detachably or not.While such an embodiment may be useful in one or more applications or implementations of the Applicant's disclosure, it may be subject to one or more limitations imposed by a controller in the system (e.g., friction, maximum speed or rate, etc.). In at least one other embodiment, such as an embodiment that includes an electromagnetic or other magnetic controller (as mentioned above), the driving portion 312 need not be mechanically coupled to the driven portion 314. For example, the driving portion 312 may be... MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I magnetically couple to the driven part 314. In at least one of these embodiments, one or more corresponding or communicating assemblies (e.g., a pair or other combination) of driven couplers 316, 318 (if present) may include a permanent magnet coupler and a magnetic coupler (which may, but need not, also be or include a magnet). The magnetic coupler may be a driving coupler and the magnetic coupler may be a driven coupler, or vice versa, and such arrangement may, but need not, differ between any two or more assemblies of corresponding couplers (if present). The driving part 312 may rotate (e.g.about axis A), by means of the rotation of the drive 310 or a drive system coupled thereto, and the magnetic attraction between each set of corresponding couplers 316, 318 (or otherwise between the driving part 312 and the driven part 314) can cause the bearing part 302B to rotate or move together with the driving part 312. In at least one other such embodiment, which is again only one of many, the driving part 312 (or the driven part 314) can be or include an electromagnet. For example, the driving part 312 can include one or more electromagnetic drive couplers 316, and the driven portion 314 can include one or more magnetically driven couplers 318 having a corresponding drive coupler or couplers 316 associated with them (or vice versa).In such an embodiment, each magnetic coupler can be polarized and each electromagnetic coupler can be adapted (separately or in combination) to cause a driven part 314 (which can be any driven part) to move, such as to rotate about an axis. As shown in Figure 10 for illustrative purposes, in at least one of such embodiments, which is only one of many, the driven part 312 can, but need not, be arranged in a rotationally fixed position, and the driving part can be, or be coupled to, a bearing part 302B adapted to rotate about a bearing part 302A, for example, by being rotatably coupled to or about it. Two or more adjacent driven couplers 318 (if present), such as driven couplers 318A, 318B, can have alternating polarities, and the driven couplers 316 can be adapted to change polarities during operation (e.g.In response to one or more elapsed times or other condition or instruction, such as alternating between N and S polarities, for example, adjacent 316 drive couplers (if present) may, but do not need to, adapt to alternating polarities in opposite directions. In other words, at a point in time (or during a period of time) during operation, which can be any point or period of time required by a particular application, one drive coupler (for example, coupler 316A) (which can be any coupler, if present) may have a north polarity, and an adjacent drive coupler (for example, coupler 318B) may have a south polarity, or vice versa. At a later point or period of time, the polarities of the drive couplers may be reversed or changed to a different polarity. MA / IZ / ¿U¿O / U¿O1 opposite (i.e., from N to S, or vice versa). Such a change can occur at any time or interval of time, and in any coupler position or relationship of coupler positions, required by a particular application. For example, in at least one modality, which is only one of many, such a change in polarities can occur at or about the time when a driven coupler 318 reaches a position (e.g., a rotational or other position) that is midway between two driving couplers 316. As such, it will be appreciated and understood that an electromagnetic drive 310 can magnetically rotate a driven part 314, for example, by means of a magnetically controlled coupling with it. More specifically, considering an example pair or other set of adjacent driving couplers (e.g., 316A, 316B) relative to a single example driven coupler (e.g.318A or 318B) which has a polarity of, for example, N, for a period of time, one driving coupler 316 may have N polarity and the other driving coupler 316 may have S polarity. The N driving coupler may repel the driven coupler and the S driving coupler may attract the driven coupler. In this way, the driven coupler may tend to move from a position near the first to a position near the second. During a later period of time, the polarity of each driving coupler may be reversed, and the driven coupler may become polarized accordingly, even towards a third driving coupler adjacent to one of the aforementioned and, for example, having a polarity opposite to that of the driven coupler at that time.Similar principles can be applied to the remaining couplers 316, 318 in a manner (if present) that can result in a driving force to drive the driven part 314 and / or the second bearing part 302B. This driving force can be controlled, for example, increased or decreased, by controlling the amount of current flowing to or through one or more electromagnetic driving parts 312 and / or one or more driving couplers 316, if present. In addition, similar methods can be used to slow the movement of a driven part 314 if required or desired in a particular application, for example, as part of a braking system. The system 300 may, but is not required to, include one or more of the components described herein, separately or in combination with each other, in whole or in part.For example, in at least one embodiment, System 300 may include a control system (not shown) adapted to measure, control, change, and / or display to a user one or more aspects or features of the system. As another example, System 300 may include a cooling system (of which Support 304, for example, may be a part), which may include a cooling assembly, cryogen, and / or other cooling equipment, such as one or more of the components shown in Figures 1 through 8. Figure 13 illustrates an isometric view of one of many configurations of a transportation system as described in the disclosure. Figure 14 is a schematic end view of the MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υυ modality of figure 13. Figure 15 is a schematic side view of the modality of figures 13 and 14. Figure 16 is a detailed schematic view of a portion of figure 15. Figures 13 to 16 will be described together. In at least one embodiment of the present description, a bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be, or may be incorporated into, one or more transport systems 400, as a system or apparatus for moving or supporting movement from one place to another. As one of many examples, a transport system 400 may include a body 402 for supporting one or more moving articles (including passengers). The body 402 may include, for example, a car body, chassis, frame, or other vehicle structure for supporting elements during movement, such as storage compartments and the like, either separately or in combination.The body 402 may be composed of any material required by a particular application, such as plastic, glass, metal, and other materials, separately or in combination, and may include one or more of any of the features or other structures commonly found in conventional conveyor systems, such as seats, safety mechanisms, and other elements, including luxury items. The conveyor system 400 may include one or more bearing systems 404 coupled to the body 402 to support its movement, and may include any number of bearing systems required by a particular application.For example, in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, system 400 may include two, three, four, five, six, eight, up to eighteen, or more or fewer, bearing systems according to the Applicant's disclosure, such as a series of bearing systems similar to various wheels or tires found in one or more conventional transportation systems, for example, bicycles, motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks, semi-trailers, and aircraft, among others. One or more of the bearing systems 404 may be or comprise any of the bearing systems described herein, in whole or in part, separately or in combination, including any application-specific implementation or adaptation of any of them. As such, the bearing systems 404 need not be described again herein in detail.One or more bearing systems 404 may be coupled or otherwise arranged, at least generally, beneath the body 402, as in a conventional vehicle arrangement, but this need not be the case. For example, as shown in the example embodiment of Figures 13 to 16, which is only one of many, one or more bearing systems may be arranged on the top, bottom, side, or other part of a body 402 as required or desired for a particular application, either directly or indirectly. For example, one or more bearing systems 404 may be coupled to a support 406, such as a frame, clamp, or other structure, to support the rotational motion of the bearing systems 404, which may, for example, support linear motion. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I rotation or other type of body. 402. The support 406 may be circular, but it need not be, and alternatively it may have another shape, which may be any shape, such as square, rectangular or any other. One or more supports 406, each of which may include any number of bearing systems 404 required by a particular application (whether the same number or a different number), may be coupled to the body 402 with one or more couplers 408, which may include, for example, ties, frames, fasteners or other structural members, separately or in combination.In at least one embodiment, which is only one of many, the supports 406 and bearing systems 404 can be adapted and arranged to communicate with a track system 410 to direct or otherwise guide the movement of the system 400, at least partially defining a path along which the body 402 and / or other system components can travel. The track system 410 can include any type of guidance system required by a particular application, such as a track, one or more rails, cables, or other support structures, or, as another example, a at least partially enclosed tube through which the body 402 can pass. In one embodiment in which the track system 410 comprises a tube, which is only one of many, at least a portion of the tube can be at least partially evacuated of air, so as to maintain the tube in at least a partial vacuum state.In at least one embodiment, such as a vacuum tube embodiment, the transport system 400 may, but need not, include a self-contained oxygen system, such as to provide breathable air to passengers aboard the body 402. The transport system 400 may, but need not, include one or more primary engines 412 to propel, force, or otherwise move the body 402 (and any contents, if present) along a path. The primary engine 412 may include, for example, a hydrocarbon or other type of engine (which may include transmission, linkage, fuel, and other components, as the case may be), or, as another example, the primary engine 412 may comprise one or more jet propulsion systems, such as a rocket. Alternatively, the primary engine 412 may be absent, and the body 402 may move along a path in one or more ways, such as by means of gravity or a magnetic propulsion system.In at least one embodiment, the 400 system may, but does not need to, include one or more conventional 414 bearing systems in combination with one or more bearing systems as described. Figure 17 illustrates an isometric view of one of many embodiments of a turbine system as described. Figure 18 is a schematic end view of the embodiment in Figure 17. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of Figures 17 and 18. Figures 17 to 19 will be described together. In at least one embodiment of the present description, a bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be, or may ML / t / ZUZO / UZO I may be incorporated into one or more turbine systems 500, as a system or apparatus for generating electricity or other turbine-type power. As one of many examples of a modality, a turbine system 500 may include one or more bearing systems 502 to support rotational motion between a support 504 and a fan 506. Each bearing system 502 may include one or more bearing portions, such as bearing portions 502A, 502B, which may include an HTS bearing portion and a magnetic bearing portion as described elsewhere herein. One or more of the bearing systems 502 may be or comprise any of the bearing systems described herein, in whole or in part, separately or in combination, including any application-specific implementation or adaptation of any of them.As such, the bearing systems 502 of this embodiment of the present disclosure, which is only one of many, need not be described again in detail here. The support 504 may, but need not, be rotationally fixed, and the fan 506, which may include one or more blades or vanes 508, may rotate about the support 504 with at least reduced friction relative to one or more conventional turbines lacking the bearing systems of the present disclosure. Figure 20 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing system having a cooling system as described. Figure 21 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a bearing and flywheel system as described. Figure 22 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a layered flywheel assembly as described. Figure 23 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a layered flywheel assembly as described. Figure 24 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a layered flywheel assembly as described. Figure 25 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of a porous flywheel assembly as described.Figure 26 is a schematic top view of another of many variations of a porous flywheel assembly as disclosed. Figure 27 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of the flywheel assembly of Figure 26. Figures 20 to 27 will be described together. In at least one embodiment of the present description, a bearing system (such as one or more of the bearing systems described above) may be, or may be incorporated into, one or more flywheel systems, such as a FESS, to support energy storage. One or more embodiments of the present description may maximize the load and stabilization provided by the permanent magnets; because the magnets can be tilted, the repulsive magnetic force produces partial lifting and stabilization by a restoring force. MA / Ó / UZO I υυ gravitational. The residual load can be carried by a relatively small amount of high-temperature superconductor (HTS) which, unlike previous HTS-based designs, can be cooled more easily with a small, cryogen-free cooler. Furthermore, the flux creep problem is mitigated, reducing the need for periodic system heating and the material stresses induced by such frequent temperature cycling. The angle of the magnets allows for a wide range of tunability by varying system parameters, such as the angle of the magnets with respect to a rotation axis, the angle of the magnets to each other, and varying the width of some of the magnets, to name a few. In at least one configuration, the magnets can be backed with magnetic iron, the shape of which can be adjusted to minimize the negative stiffness of the permanent magnet portion of the bearing system. In at least one embodiment, a bearing and flywheel system 600 may include a first bearing portion 602 having an opening 604 of a first dimension passing through it and a central longitudinal shaft A, a second bearing portion 606 having a second dimension, the second dimension being 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 composed at least partially of an HTS 610 and a first magnet 612. Another of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606 may be composed at least partially of a second magnet 614 and a third magnet 616. The second bearing portion 606 may be disposed at least partially within the opening 604 through the first bearing portion 602.There may be a gap between an outer surface of the second bearing portion 606 and an inner surface of the first bearing portion 602. The second bearing portion 606 may be configured to rotate about the central longitudinal axis A of the first bearing portion 602 (or another axis) with respect to the first bearing portion 602. In at least one embodiment, the first bearing portion 602 can be configured to repel the second bearing portion 606 so that the second bearing portion 606 is deflected toward the central longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the first bearing portion 602 can be configured to repel the second bearing portion 606 so that the second bearing portion 606 is centered along the central longitudinal axis A. For example, the HTS 610 can be configured to repel the second magnet 614 so that the second bearing portion 606 is deflected toward a concentric position around the central longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 can be configured to repel the third magnet 616 so that the second bearing portion 606 is deflected toward a concentric position around the central longitudinal axis A. ML / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I yo In at least one embodiment, the HTS 610 and the second magnet 614 can be configured to at least partially resist longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, the HTS 610 and the second magnet 614 have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the central longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 can be configured to at least partially resist 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 have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and at an angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the 600 system may include one or more additional magnets coupled to one or both bearing portions, such as a fourth magnet 618 coupled to one of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606 and a fifth magnet 620 coupled to the other of the first and second bearing portions 602, 606. The fourth magnet 618 and the fifth magnet 620 may be configured to repel each other and thus at least partially resist longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the second bearing portion 606 with respect to the first bearing portion 602. The fourth magnet 618 and the fifth magnet 620 have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and at an angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis A. In at least one embodiment, the first magnet 612 and the third magnet 616 may have outer surfaces that are parallel to each other and at 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 parallel to each other and at a second angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis A. The first and second angles may be equal and / or opposite. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles are complementary. In at least one embodiment, the first and second angles are different. Again, the designations first, second, third, etc., are used here for clarity and explanatory purposes and do not, by themselves, determine which magnets, bearing portions, or other components are referred to by that designation. Any of the magnets may be or include an annular magnet and / or may comprise a plurality of magnet segments. As should be evident from the figures and their discussion, the pairs of magnets may be configured to oppose each other in order to hold the second bearing portion 606 in position relative to the first bearing portion 602. Any feature of the magnets, such as size, shape, quantity, strength, and orientation, may be manipulated to oppose other forces, such as the weight of the second bearing portion 606 and / or the flywheel 608, as well as other forces acting on components of the 600 system. For example, when there is a pulling 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 ML / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I υυ the fifth magnet 620 with respect to size, shape, quantity, strength, orientation, type, material or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the 608 flywheel may be or include one or more laminated flywheels composed of thin or ultrathin sheets of high strength (e.g., steel sheets) layered one on top of the other. In such an embodiment, which is only one of many, two or more sheets of the 608 flywheel(s) can be decoupled from each other, so that if a single layer fails, the others will remain unaffected and continue to operate. Because the individual layers can be decoupled from each other, it would be highly unlikely that many layers would fail simultaneously, and the failure mechanisms would be benign because the layers can be easily compressed to absorb energy. In at least one embodiment, a 600 system as disclosed may have a very important additional advantage, which is that the 608 flywheel can operate much closer to the material's maximum strength and thus increase the energy density.It can be anticipated that a certain number of layers may fail per year and can be collected and recycled periodically into new layers to replace the flywheel. In at least one embodiment, two or more flywheel layers can be decoupled from each other using a viscous energy-absorbing material (e.g., rubber) between the layers. In at least one embodiment, this material can also be used to decouple the flywheel layers from the shaft, enabling a system 600 to balance the flywheels 608 by repositioning them relative to the shaft. In at least one embodiment, a phase-change material, which can be switched between a soft and a hard phase, can be used as a decoupler. In at least one embodiment, the shaft does not penetrate through the flywheel layers (see, for example, FIG. 23), allowing for much higher speeds due to a greater tolerance to tensile forces at the center of the layers. For example, the shaft 640 can be coupled to the flywheel layers using two strong magnets 642, 644 at each end of the flywheel layer assembly. In at least one embodiment, electrostatic forces can be replaced by magnets. In at least one embodiment, strong adhesives or other bonding material(s) can be used to hold the assembly together without requiring the shaft to pass through the flywheel discs. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel layers can be held together by bolts or other fasteners (not shown) inserted through holes located toward the outer diameter or periphery of the discs (e.g.,radially between the center and the outermost radial limit of the steering wheel), rather than near the center, to reduce stress. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 itself may be a highly porous structure (see, for example, FIG. 25) containing a liquid or soft material that is able to move between pores or cells in the flywheel 608 to distribute mass in response to inertial forces, which may enable or support the self-balancing of the 600 system. In at least one In at least one embodiment, a flywheel 608 may have a radial barrier 656, such as a radially exterior strip, wall, or seal, or, as another example, an ultra-high-strength composite disc, on the outer diameter or periphery for additional structural support. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel may utilize ultra-high-strength composite or steel wires arranged radially outward from the center to provide tensile strength and support against centrifugal forces during flywheel operations. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 can be a laminated flywheel (see, for example, Figs. 21 to 23) comprising sheets, rings, or other layers of a first material 630 and sheets, rings, or other layers of a second material 632. In at least one embodiment, the layers are alternated, such that the first layers of material 630 and the second layers of material 632 are coupled with one of the second layers of material 632 arranged between adjacent layers of the first layers of material 630. In at least one embodiment, the layers can be configured such that each of the first layers of material 630 fails independently of the failure of any other of the first layers of material 630. In at least one embodiment, the first and second materials 630, 632 can be alternated in concentric rings (see, for example, Fig. 24). In at least one modality, the first and second materials 630, 632 can alternate along the longitudinal axis A.In at least one form, the 608 flywheel may include two or more layers of one material separated by one or more layers of another material. 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 can be configured to reinforce and / or help prevent failure of the first material 630. In at least one embodiment, the second material 632 can be a phase-change material. For example, the second material 632 can have higher tensile strength than the first material 630 in a first phase and lower tensile strength than the first material 630 in a second phase. In at least one embodiment, the second material 632 can be configured to selectively decouple the first layers of material 630 from each other and / or from the second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, the 600 system may include a shaft 640 coupled between the flywheel 608 and the second bearing portion 606 (or another bearing portion of the rotor) 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 decouple the flywheel 608 from the shaft 640. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may be a porous flywheel comprising a porous flywheel body 650 having a radially outer surface 652 and an internal pore matrix 654. In at least one embodiment, an annular disc or other barrier 656 may be coupled to the radially outer surface 652 of the flywheel body 650. In at least one embodiment, one or more structural support members 658 may be coupled between the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650. The structural support members 658 may be or include one or more wires, rods, sleeves, rings, sheets, bars, etc., configured to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650. The structural support members 658 may be oriented radially outward with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the flywheel body 650.In at least one embodiment, a mass distribution material 660 can be sealed within the pore matrix 654 of the flywheel body 650. The mass distribution material 660 can be a fluid, such as water, a particulate matter, such as sand, or a combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may include a flywheel body 650 having a radially outside surface 652, and the flywheel body 650 may be or include a housing or casing that is at least partially hollow (see, for example, FIGS. 26 and 27). In at least one embodiment, the flywheel 608 may include one or more structural support members 658 coupled to the flywheel body 650 and the shaft 640 to support one or more portions of the flywheel body 650, for example, by joining them together or otherwise structurally supporting the flywheel body 650 and shaft 640. In at least one embodiment, a mass distribution material 660 may be sealed within the flywheel body 650, such as within one or more reservoirs 662, as a space or void, within the flywheel body 650 radially between the shaft 640 and the radially outside surface 652.In at least one embodiment, one or more reservoirs 662 may include a porous material with a pore matrix 654 to contain mass distribution material 660 (see, for example, FIG. 25). In at least one embodiment, one or more reservoirs 662 may be or include one or more voids within the flywheel body 650 containing mass distribution material 660 (see, for example, FIGS. 26 and 27). In at least one embodiment, one or more support members 658 may be arranged within a reservoir 662 within the flywheel body 650 with a first end coupled to the shaft 640 and a second end coupled to the flywheel body 650, such as to a radially outside wall or other part of the flywheel body 650, to at least partially resist separation of the shaft 640 and the flywheel body 650 during flywheel operations. In at least one embodiment, the 600 system may include a steering wheel shaft 640 coupled between the steering wheel 608 and the second bearing portion 606. In at least one embodiment, the shaft 640 may include a first shaft portion 640A with one or more magnets 642 and a second shaft portion 640B with one or more magnets 644. In at least one embodiment, magnet 642 may be positioned adjacent to a first end of the steering wheel 608 and magnet 644 may be positioned adjacent to a second end of the steering wheel 608. Magnets 642 and 644 may attract each other and thus be configured to couple the steering wheel 608 to the steering wheel shaft 640. In at least one embodiment, magnets 642 and 644 may be configured to couple the shaft 640 and the steering wheel 608 to each other without requiring the shaft 640 to pass through the steering wheel 608. or through it. In at least one configuration, the 608 steering wheel does not need to have a central opening running through it. In at least one embodiment, the system 600 may include a motor and / or generator system 603 for rotating the flywheel 608 (for example, via a magnetic or other drive) and / or for generating electrical 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 configured to communicate operationally with the flywheel 608 and / or other components of the system 600, whether known or developed in the future. Further and more extensive configurations may be devised that utilize one or more aspects of the configuration described above without departing from the spirit of the applicant's description. For example, the systems and methods described herein may be used to support any type of motion, such as rotational, linear, and the like. As another example, the systems and methods described herein may be used to form one or more parts of other motion systems, which may include any motion system that has conventional bearings, such as aircraft, passenger and other vehicles, machinery, heavy machinery, machining tools, generators, trailers, axles, actuators, or other motion systems. Furthermore, the various methods and configurations of HTS magnetic bearing systems may be combined to produce variations of the methods and configurations described. The discussion of singular elements may include plural elements and vice versa. References to at least one element followed by a reference to the element may include one or more elements. Furthermore, various aspects of the modalities could be used together to achieve the intended objectives of the description. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprises" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the indicated element, step, group of elements, steps, or equivalents, and not the exclusion of a larger number or any other element, step, group of elements, steps, or equivalents thereof. The devices and systems of disclosure may be used in various directions and orientations. The order of the steps may occur in a variety of sequences unless specifically limited otherwise.The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interwoven with established steps, and / or divided into multiple steps. Similarly, the elements have been functionally described and can be incorporated as separate components or combined into components with multiple functions. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I yo The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments, and not all embodiments of the inventions have been described. Obvious modifications and alterations of the described embodiments are available to those skilled in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived by the Applicant, but, in accordance with patent law, the Applicant intends to fully protect all modifications and improvements that fall within the scope or range of equivalents of the following claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a first bearing portion having an opening through it, a central longitudinal axis, and an inner surface, the opening having a first dimension; a second bearing portion having a second outer dimension and an outer surface, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension; and a flywheel coupled to the second bearing portion; wherein one of the first and second bearing portions is composed at least partially of a high-temperature superconductor and includes a first magnet; wherein another of the first and second bearing portions is composed at least partially of a second magnet and includes a third magnet;wherein the second bearing portion is disposed at least partially within the opening through the first bearing portion and wherein there is a gap between the outer surface of the second bearing portion and the inner surface of the first bearing portion; and wherein the second bearing portion is configured to rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the first bearing portion with respect to the first bearing portion.

2. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the flywheel is a laminar flywheel comprising a first plurality of leaves of a first material; and a second plurality of leaves of a second material; wherein the first plurality of leaves and the second plurality of leaves are coupled together with one of the second plurality of leaves disposed between the adjacent ones of the first plurality of leaves.

3. The system according to claim 2, further characterized in that each of the first plurality of leaves is configured to fail independently of the failure of any other of the first plurality of leaves.

4. The system according to claim 2, further characterized in that the second material is a phase change material.

5. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the flywheel is a porous flywheel comprising a porous flywheel body having a radially outer surface and an internal pore matrix.

6. The system according to claim 5, further characterized in that it also comprises an annular disc coupled to the radially outer surface of the steering wheel body.

7. The system according to claim 5, further characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of structural support elements coupled to the body of the MA / t / ZUZÓ / UZO I steering wheel and oriented radially outwards with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the steering wheel body.

8. The system according to claim 5, further characterized in that it further comprises a mass distribution material sealed within the pore matrix of the steering wheel body.

9. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a steering wheel shaft having a first portion of the shaft with a fourth magnet and a second portion of the shaft with a fifth magnet; wherein the fourth magnet is arranged adjacent to a first end of the steering wheel; wherein the fifth magnet is arranged adjacent to a second end of the steering wheel; and wherein the fourth magnet and the fifth magnet attract each other and are configured to couple the steering wheel to the steering wheel shaft.

10. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the first magnet and the third magnet are configured to resist at least partially the longitudinal movement of the second bearing portion.

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

12. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the first magnet and the third magnet have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and at an angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

13. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the HTS and the second magnet have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

14. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that at least one of the first, second and third magnets is an annular magnet.

15. The system according to claim 14, further characterized in that the ring magnet comprises a plurality of magnet segments.

16. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a fourth magnet and a fifth magnet; wherein the fourth magnet is coupled to the bearing portion that includes the third magnet; wherein the fifth magnet is coupled to the bearing portion that includes the first magnet; and wherein the fourth magnet and the fifth magnet are configured to repel each other.

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

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

19. The system according to claim 16, further characterized in that the fourth magnet and the fifth magnet have outer surfaces that are arranged parallel to each other and at an angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

20. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the flywheel comprises a shaft having an outer surface, a flywheel body rotatably fixed about the outer surface of the shaft, and one or more reservoirs within the flywheel body 10.

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