CPC G01N 11/14 (2013.01) [F16C 32/0414 (2013.01); F16C 32/047 (2013.01); F16C 32/048 (2013.01); H02K 7/09 (2013.01); F16C 2370/00 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
1. A rotary assembly comprising:
a stator comprising a stator element made of magnetic material,
a rotor comprising a rotor element made of magnetic material, the rotor being rotatable with respect to the stator, the rotor being axially retained by a flexible rod configured to be attached to a frame for preventing movement of the rotor along an axis of rotation thereof so that the stator element and the rotor element are maintained at a predetermined axial distance relative to each other along the axis of rotation of the rotor, the flexible rod allowing a radial movement of the rotor,
a magnetic bearing comprising the rotor and the stator element, at least one of the rotor and stator elements made of magnetic material being a spherical magnet, the rotor element and the stator element each forming a magnetic dipole,
wherein the rotary assembly has a stable position in which the rotor is aligned with the axis of rotation thereof and the rotor element and the stator element are facing each other along the axis of rotation of the rotor and are separated from each other by said predetermined distance,
wherein, when the rotary assembly is in the stable position, the magnetic dipoles of the rotor and stator elements are aligned with each other along the axis of rotation of the rotor and are oriented in a same direction so as to generate a return force which opposes the axial misalignment of said rotor,
wherein the rotor comprises a head connected to the flexible rod, and a base arranged facing the head, so that the head and the base delimit a rotor air gap, said rotor air gap extending between the head and the base; and
wherein the stator lies in said rotor air gap.
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