Abstract: A translation and/or transportation system, such as an elevator, is described comprising a movable structure for transportation, e.g. a passenger cabin or a load-carrying platform, a guide and a skid integral with the movable structure and slidingly coupled to the guide along a sliding axis. The skid is configured to stably and slidingly couple the movable structure to the guide, and comprises a centering member in contact with the guide. To attenuate the sliding friction, the skid comprises means—or a device—for generating without contact with the guide a force counteracting an external load impressed on the centering member, the load-counteracting force being repulsive or attractive on the guide, and directed in the opposite direction to the force impressed by the external load on the centering member.

Abstract: A supporting device (MC) is described to slidingly support, and linearly move along an axis (X), an object such as e.g. a leaf. A magnetic return force generated by the cooperation of a magnetic flux generator (54, 56) and an element (10) reactive to the magnetic field, develops. The element is able to slide relative to the axis (X) during the movement of the object, and has a cross-section (62) which, seen in a plane orthogonal to the axis (X), has a width that varies along the length of the first element (10) parallelly to said axis (X).

Abstract: A support device for slidingly supporting, and linearly moving along a longitudinal axis, an object such as e.g. a leaf. On the object a magnetic return force develops generated by the cooperation of a magnetic flux generator (54, 56) and an element reactive to the magnetic field. The element can slide parallel to the axis during the displacement of the object and correspondingly exhibits a section which, seen in a plane orthogonal to the axis, has a width that varies along the length of the first element parallel to said axis.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension bearing (10; 30; 40; 50) is described comprising a part rotatable about a rotation axis and a fixed part, and two elements made of ferromagnetic material, one integral with the rotatable part and one with the fixed part. The two elements are closely placed, separated by an air gap, and have axial symmetry with respect to said axis. There is a magnetic flux generator for generating a magnetic flux inside the two elements. The two elements have such a shape that the magnetic flux, flowing inside the two elements, describes in space a torus and passes from one element to the other through the air gap along a direction orthogonal to the direction of a load applied to the bearing. This configuration ensures high support strength for the bearing while being a simple structure to be built.

Abstract: A supporting device (MC) is described to slidingly support, and linearly move along an axis (X), an object such as e.g. a leaf. A magnetic return force generated by the cooperation of a magnetic flux generator (54, 56) and an element (10) reactive to the magnetic field, develops. The element is able to slide relative to the axis (X) during the movement of the object, and has a cross-section (62) which, seen in a plane orthogonal to the axis (X), has a width that varies along the length of the first element (10) parallelly to said axis (X).

Abstract: The performance of a passive-levitation vehicle is improved for moving over a path. The vehicle has a levitation skid slidable on the path and capable of developing a levitation force to support a compartment at a certain distance from the path. A suspension between the compartment and the skid, comprises a kinematic structure to confer degrees of freedom and relative constraints between the skid and compartment; a passive elastic element connected between the skid and the compartment; and a controlled-dynamic element able to exert a force having controlled dynamics between the skid and compartment; the passive elastic element and controlled-dynamic element mounted in parallel to each other and connected to the skid and compartment. sensor detects the distance between the skid and the path. An electronic circuit, connected to the sensor and to the controlled-dynamics element, carries out a feedback control to adjust this distance.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension bearing (10; 30; 40; 50) is described comprising a part rotatable about a rotation axis and a fixed part, and two elements made of ferromagnetic material, one integral with the rotatable part and one with the fixed part. The two elements are closely placed, separated by an air gap, and have axial symmetry with respect to said axis. There is a magnetic flux generator for generating a magnetic flux inside the two elements. The two elements have such a shape that the magnetic flux, flowing inside the two elements, describes in space a torus and passes from one element to the other through the air gap along a direction orthogonal to the direction of a load applied to the bearing. This configuration ensures high support strength for the bearing while being a simple structure to be built.

Abstract: The performance of a passive-levitation vehicle is improved for moving over a path, wherein the vehicle has a levitation skid slidable on the path and capable of developing a levitation force to support a compartment at a certain distance from the path. For this aim, there is a suspension, connected between the compartment and the skid, comprising a kinematic structure to confer degrees of freedom and relative constraints between the skid and the compartment; a passive elastic element connected between the skid and the compartment; and a controlled-dynamic element able to exert a force having controlled dynamics between the skid and the compartment; wherein the passive elastic element and the controlled-dynamic element being mounted in parallel to each other and connected, e.g. at their ends, respectively to the skid and the compartment.