Abstract: Disclosed is a flywheel system for storing kinetic energy which utilizes a high temperature superconductor/magnet system for the flywheel bearings. The flywheel includes a first magnet, and having a ring magnet defining an opening. The levitation system includes a magnet for attractively interacting with first flywheel magnet, with a high temperature superconductor interposed between them, and further includes a magnet system for repulsively interacting with and partially inserted into the ring magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing having a rotatable member and a stationary member on one of which is mounted a superconductor while on the other is mounted a set of permanent magnets or electromagnets arranged as a quadrupole or multiple dipoles. The magnetic member, which is in the form of a dipole, a quadrupole, or other multiple dipole, such as an octopole, is positioned to enable the magnetic fields generated by the permanent magnets to interact with the superconducting material and to confine the shaft in all directions in the desired location. The bearing systems can be used as either a thrust bearing or as a journal bearing, or as both. Each dipole may be twinned to reduce magnetic field asymmetry and reduce energy dissipation upon rotation. The superconductor may be laminated, and/or additional magnets may be located outside the superconductor in order to increase the bearing stiffness and rigidity.