US20020187721A1

US20020187721A1 - Elongate tools having diamagnetically stabilized levitation device

Info

Publication number: US20020187721A1
Application number: US09/876,246
Authority: US
Inventors: Alex Chung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-08
Filing date: 2001-06-08
Publication date: 2002-12-12

Abstract

The subject invention concerns an elongate tool comprising a diamagnetically stabilized levitation device. The levitation device comprising a lifting permanent magnet which attracts a levitating permanent magnet upward. A user achieves magnetic levitation by turning the lifting-magnet-height-adjuster clockwise or counterclockwise. The levitating permanent magnet is kept vertically stable between two diamagnetic objects. The invention is useful as a tool and it is also amusing and educational.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The subject invention concerns a tool that is amusing and educational because it demonstrates magnetic attraction and diamagnetic levitation. The invention involves the integration of a levitation device with an elongate tool. A levitating permanent magnet is attracted upward by a lifting permanent magnet. The levitating magnet is kept stable vertically due to the repulsive forces generated by the two diamagnetic objects one above and one below the levitating magnet.

2. Description of Prior Art

There are novelty devices containing levitation components. These novelty devices do not allow active user control of magnetic levitation. There are also levitation devices that are not integrated with any tool; thus, these levitation devices do not become popular. This invention integrates a levitation device with a useful tool. The user controls the upward or downward movement of a magnet until it reaches levitation.

Stable levitation cannot be achieved by permanent magnets only. Stable magnetic levitation can be achieved by using superconductors. However, current superconductors require cryogenic coolant to achieve their desired super-conductive characteristics. Stable magnetic levitation can also be achieved by using electromagnets. However, electromagnets require electricity. Diamagnetic levitation used in this invention is a way to achieve stable levitation without the use of cryogenic coolant and electricity.

Certain “diamagnetic levitators” are stand-alone devices that are not integrated with common tools. These “diamagnetic levitators” might require adjustment of the gap between the two pieces of diamagnetic objects. In addition, the size of the lifting permanent magnet is such that they make the “diamagnetic levitators” too bulky to fit in common elongate tools.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention integrates a compact levitation device with an elongate tool. The invention is an amusing and educational tool. The levitation device is capable of levitating a permanent magnet vertically stable. The stable levitation can be accomplished by turning the lifting-magnet-height-adjuster clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the height between the lifting and the levitating magnets. The gap between the two diamagnetic objects is fixed. In addition, the lifting permanent magnet is more compact than the permanent magnet used in similar diamagnetic levitation devices. As a result, this device can be contained within an elongate tool. This invention could be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of an elongate tool containing a diamagnetically stabilized levitation device.[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are two major components of this invention: the levitation device on the upper end of the tool and the tool unit on the lower end. Possible tools that could be used within this invention are pens or pencils. [0011]
[0012] Object 1 is transparent and tubular. Objects 2 and 3 are diamagnetic objects of the same size and substance. Objects 2 and 3 are affixed one on each end of object 1 with levitating permanent magnet 4 trapped in between. The optimal gap between objects 2 and 3 can be calibrated by placing permanent magnet 5 over them until levitating magnet 4 becomes vertically stable. The gap between objects 2 and 3 must be sufficient enough to allow magnet 4 to flip upside down. As a result, the polarity of magnet 4 is irrelevant.
Object [0013] 7 is tubular and it has two cutouts (cutout 8 shown in FIG. 1) opposite of each other to allow viewing of the levitating magnet. Object 1 which now contains diamagnetic objects 2, 3 and magnet 4 could be inserted into object 7 and affixed at the section of cutout 8.
Magnet [0014] 5 is affixed to the lower side of lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6. The polarity of magnet 5 is irrelevant. The inner surface of the top end of object 7 has screw thread to allow lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 to be screwed onto. After lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 has been screwed onto object 7, turn lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 clockwise to lower magnet 5. To raise magnet 5, turn lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 counterclockwise.
If magnet [0015] 5 is too high, then magnet 4 will drop onto diamagnetic object 2. If magnet 5 is too low, then magnet 4 will be attached to diamagnetic object 3. Levitation of magnet 4 is achieved by carefully turning lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 clockwise or counterclockwise.
[0016] Object 9, which is either a pen or a pencil, is affixed to object 7.
Magnet [0017] 5 is affixed to the lower side of lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6. The polarity of magnet 5 is irrelevant. The inner surface of the top end of object 7 has screw thread to allow lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 to be screwed onto. After lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 has been screwed onto object 7, turn lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 clockwise to lower magnet 5. To raise magnet 5, turn lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 counterclockwise.
If magnet [0018] 5 is too high, then magnet 4 will drop onto diamagnetic object 2. If magnet 5 is too low, then magnet 4 will be attached to diamagnetic object 3. Levitation of magnet 4 is achieved by carefully turning lifting-magnet-height-adjuster 6 clockwise or counterclockwise.
[0019] Object 9, which is either a pen or a pencil, is affixed to object 7.

Claims

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The article of manufacture, comprising:

(a) a tubular, elongate tool component;

(b) two cutouts opposite of each other on the upper end of said elongate tool component and the inner surface of the top end of said tool component contains screw thread;

(c) a lifting-magnet-height-adjuster comprising a male bushing wherein a permanent magnet is affixed with either its north magnetic pole or south magnetic pole facing up;

(d) a transparent tubular object containing two diamagnetic objects one on each end of said transparent tubular object and a small permanent magnet between said diamagnetic objects; and,

(e) according to claim 1 (d), the gap between said diamagnetic objects must be sufficient enough for said permanent magnet to flip upside down, and the polarity of said permanent magnet of claim 1 (d) is irrelevant.

2. The article of manufacture, according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of said elongate component is a pen or a pencil.

3. A method levitating said permanent magnet mentioned in claim 1 (d) comprising the steps of:

Screw said lifting-magnet-height-adjuster onto the top end of said elongate tool component and turning said lifting-magnet-height-adjuster clockwise or counterclockwise until said magnet between said diamagnetic objects levitates.