The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 19, 1997
Edward W Hones, Los Alamos, NM (US);
William G Hones, Seattle, WA (US);
Creative Gifts, Inc., Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
An electromagnetic drive apparatus and method are operative to rotate a magnetically levitated object for an indefinite period of time. The object, such as a spinning magnetic top with a spindle, is levitated over a base magnet and a horizontal component of a pulsed magnetic field is applied at the region of the spinning magnetic top to maintain the top spinning and levitating indefinitely. The pulsed magnetic field is generated by applying a pulsed dc voltage or an ac current to a coil situated in proximity to the top. The coil may have a cylindrical or oblong shape and a core may be provided in the coil. Levitation stability and duration are improved by positioning a loosely fitting washer on the spindle of the spinning magnet so as to permit relative rotation therebetween during application of the pulsed magnetic field.