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  • Patent number: 5159219
    Abstract: A superconductor-magnet system having high thrust and stability, with a method for increasing the thrust and stability of such a system, comprises a first magnet, a second magnet and a superconductor. The magnets are in motion relative to each other and the superconductor is in motion relative to one and stationary relative to the other magnet. High thrust and stability can be achieved by increasing the magnetic field of the magnet in motion relative to the superconductor. Also disclosed are magnetic thrust and journal bearings utilizing the above system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: University of Houston-University Park
    Inventors: Wei-Kan Chu, Ki-Bui Ma, Chase K. McMichael
  • Patent number: 5726512
    Abstract: An isolation system for isolating a first object from vibrations from a second object. Such vibrations will have three orthogonal components, one oriented along a line between the objects, and two oriented 90.degree. apart in a plane normal to that line. The system includes three superconductor/magnet stages, each stage designed to extinguish one of the orthogonal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Houston System
    Inventors: Wei-Kan Chu, Quark Yung-Sung Chen, Ki-Bui Ma, Mark Alan Lamb, Chase Kenyon McMichael, Ignatius S. T. Tsong