Superconducting Bearings Using High-Tc Superconductors for Potential Applications

A non-contact levitation mechanism of high-Tc superconductors is created with the use of alternating-polarity magnets of the same size. It is verified experimentally that the levitation pressure can be optimized with respect to the width of the used magnets. The levitation mechanism is applied to radial bearings with linear motion and rotary motion. The shafts or the rotors of the bearings are supported by the levitation mechanism because of the flux pinning effect. The characteristics of the bearings concerning the repulsion force and other forces were studied. Coupling this levitation mechanism due to the pinning effect and the repulsion force between superconductors and solenoids makes it possible to design a variety of actuators. This study describes the characteristics of the superconducting bearings, such as linear bearings and journal bearings, and the results of experiments for the test. Potential use of these bearings is also discussed.