How do magnetic bearings work with permanent magnets?

[Salvador]

Greetings, I want to understand magnetic bearings better , i used google search but couldn't find a simple and satisfying picture or diagram.
Could someone please explain the very basics? I would prefer in terms of permanent magnets rather than electromagnets because that would simplify the picture.

If we have a rotating shaft and a so called sator does the shaft and stator has to be aligned with the same poles of magnets in a symmetrical way so hat each stator pole would push equally from all sides and the rotor shaft would saty right in the middle or what?

thank you.

 

[Salvador]

Anyone , please?

 

[davenn]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_bearing

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...&ei=r8VlVL26LYOxmwWF3IKAAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQsAQ

http://www.steorn.com/bearings/

there's 3 of dozens of links that came up in google

 

[CWatters]

http://www.steorn.com/bearings/

I'm not sure I would use that website as an authority on anything...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steorn

It announced in August 2006 it had developed a technology which provides "free, clean, and constant energy" in violation of the law of conservation of energy,[3] a fundamental principle of physics.[4]

 

[davenn]

hahaha didn't know that LOL