Magnet-superconductor systems for controlling and influencing relative motion

摘要

Disclosed are devices for influencing and/or controlling relative motion between members, such as vibration damping or absorbing devices, clutches and brakes. The devices comprise a magnet on one member and a field cooled superconductor on the other member. The devices utilize the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnet as it moves through the pinned flux in the superconductor to either influence or control relative motion.