Passive magnetic bearing configurations

1. A passive magnetic bearing system, comprising:

a rotor having a vertical axis of rotation;

a first circular magnetic element fixedly attached to an upper portion of said rotor;

a second circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element attract each other;

a third circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a lower portion of said rotor;

a fourth circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said third circular magnetic element and said fourth circular magnetic element repel each other;

a shaft fixedly attached external to said rotor and collinear with said vertical axis of rotation; and

at least one journal bearing element attached to said rotor, wherein said journal bearing comprises a hole that allows passage of said shaft, wherein said shaft passes through said hole and wherein said shaft is not fixedly attached to said rotor.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said journal bearing element operates with said shaft to provide vertical and radial stability to said rotor when said rotor is not rotating and when said rotor is rotating.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said at least one journal bearing element comprises a plate.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein said plate comprises a metal plate.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein said plate comprises a fluoropolymer.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein said at least one journal bearing element comprises a pair of parallel metal plates.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein said at least one journal bearing element comprises a self-lubricating mechanism.

8. The system of claim 2 , wherein said at least one journal bearing element comprises means for retracting from said shaft upon a centrifugal force.

9. The system of claim 8 ,wherein said means for retracting comprises at least one spring located between said at least one journal bearing element and said rotor, wherein one end of said spring is fixedly attached to said rotor and another end of said spring is fixedly attached to said at least one journal bearing element.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said shaft comprises a wire.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element supply a portion of a levitating force to levitate said rotor.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element further provide a centering force against transverse displacements of said upper portion of said rotor.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein said third circular magnetic element and said fourth circular magnetic element supply a portion of a levitating force to levitate said rotor.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element supply a first portion of levitating force to levitate said rotor, wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element further provide a centering force against transverse displacements of said upper portion of the rotor assembly and wherein said third circular magnetic element and said fourth circular magnetic element supply a second portion of levitating force to levitate said rotor.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said first portion of levitating force together with said second portion of levitating force provide sufficient force to levitate said rotor.

16. A journal bearing for attachment to a rotor of a passive magnetic bearing system, wherein said rotor comprises a vertical axis of rotation and further includes a first circular magnetic element fixedly attached to an upper portion of said rotor and a third circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a lower portion of said rotor; wherein said bearing system further comprises a second circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element attract each other; wherein said bearing system further comprises a fourth circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said third circular magnetic element and said fourth circular magnetic element repel each other; wherein said journal bearing comprises:

a shaft fixedly attached external to said rotor and collinear with said vertical axis of rotation; and

at least one journal bearing element attached to said rotor, wherein said journal bearing element comprises a hole that allows passage of said shaft, wherein said shaft passes through said hole and wherein said shaft is not fixedly attached to said rotor.

17. The journal bearing of claim 16 , wherein said at least one journal bearing element comprises a self-lubricating mechanism.

18. The journal bearing of claim 16 , wherein said at least one journal bearing element comprises means for retracting from said shaft upon a centrifugal force.

19. The journal bearing of claim 18 ,wherein said means for retracting comprises at least one spring located between said at least one journal bearing element and said rotor, wherein one end of said spring is fixedly attached to said rotor and another end of said spring is fixedly attached to said at least one journal bearing element.

20. A method for fabricating a passive magnetic bearing system, comprising:

providing a rotor having a vertical axis of rotation;

fixedly attaching a first circular magnetic element to an upper portion of said rotor;

fixedly attaching a second circular magnetic element to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element attract each other;

fixedly attaching a third circular magnetic element to a lower portion of said rotor;

fixedly attaching a fourth circular magnetic element to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said third circular magnetic element and said fourth circular magnetic element repel each other;

attaching at least one journal bearing element to said rotor, wherein said journal bearing comprises a hole; and

fixedly attaching a shaft to a mount external to said rotor, wherein said shaft is located on said vertical axis of rotation and passes through said hole, wherein said shaft is not fixedly attached to said rotor.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said at least one journal bearing element comprises means for retracting from said shaft upon a centrifugal force.

22. A method for stabilizing a passive magnetic bearing system that includes a rotor comprising a vertical axis of rotation and further includes a first circular magnetic element fixedly attached to an upper portion of said rotor and a third circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a lower portion of said rotor; wherein said bearing system further comprises a second circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said first circular magnetic element and said second circular magnetic element attract each other; wherein said bearing system further comprises a fourth circular magnetic element fixedly attached to a support structure external to said rotor, wherein said third circular magnetic element and said fourth circular magnetic element repel each other; wherein said method comprises:

fixedly attaching a shaft to a mount external to said rotor, wherein said shaft is aligned with said vertical axis of rotation; and

attaching at least one journal bearing element to said rotor, wherein said journal bearing element comprises a hole that allows passage of said shaft, wherein said shaft passes through said hole and wherein said shaft is not fixedly attached to said rotor.