Abstract: A system for generating an electrical current in a circuit includes a rotor, a stator and a motor for rotating the rotor about a rotation axis. A plurality of permanent magnets are mounted on the rotor and radially distanced from the rotation axis. With this structure, the permanent magnets rotate with the rotor to establish a time-varying magnetic field. A winding is attached to the stator, connected to the circuit and immersed in the time-varying magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets. In one implementation, a switch is provided to reconfigure the circuit between a first, open-circuit configuration in which little or no current flows through the circuit, and a second closed-circuit configuration in which a current is generated at the winding for flow through the circuit.

Abstract: A system for levitating and propelling a vehicle along a stationary guideway includes a linear synchronous motor (LSM) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The LSM components interact to generate electromagnetic forces that act to levitate the vehicle and electromagnetic forces that act to propel the vehicle along the guideway. The gap between LSM components is maintained by an electrodynamic system (EDS) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The EDS components cooperate to create an electromagnetic force that acts with the levitation forces created by the LSM to maintain the LSM gap within a predetermined range. Maintenance of the LSM gap stabilizes the LSM and allows the LSM to operate efficiently within a pre-selected range of vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A system for levitating and propelling a vehicle along a stationary guideway includes a linear synchronous motor (LSM) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The LSM components interact to generate electromagnetic forces that act to levitate the vehicle and electromagnetic forces that act to propel the vehicle along the guideway. The gap between LSM components is maintained by an electrodynamic system (EDS) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The EDS components cooperate to create an electromagnetic force that acts with the levitation forces created by the LSM to maintain the LSM gap within a predetermined range. Maintenance of the LSM gap stabilizes the LSM and allows the LSM to operate efficiently within a pre-selected range of vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A cryogenic vessel arrangement for a superconductive apparatus that is adapted to be launched into outer space for operation therein. A vacuum vessel, within which a liquid helium vessel containing the superconductive apparatus is positioned, is supported from an external frame. The liquid helium vessel is supported by a cable arrangement from the external frame independently of the vacuum vessel. The cable arrangement is preferably constructed to maintain a constant length throughout a service temperature range. A bumper arrangement is provided to provide direct support for the vacuum vessel independently of the cable arrangement during launch of the cryogenic vessel arrangement into space.

Abstract: An automatic fluid flow regulator particularly adapted to maintain equilibrium within a cryogenic fluid system. The regulator includes a housing that has an input port and first and second output ports. A housing of the regulator contains a spool body having longitudinally extending expanding fluid channels provided on its outer periphery. The spool body cooperates with spaced flow restriction shoulders on which it is slidably disposed to bias the spool body by means of pressure differences exerted on the ends of the spool body by disturbances in the branches of the system to a position in which more fluid is supplied to one branch while less fluid is supplied to the other branch and the fluid system is brought into equilibrium.