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A system for pumping or mixing a fluid using a levitating, rotating pumping or mixing element and various other components for use in a pumping or mixing system are disclosed. The pumping or mixing element is placed in a fluid-containing vessel in close proximity to a superconducting element. A cool

A system for pumping or mixing a fluid using a levitating, rotating pumping or mixing element and various other components for use in a pumping or mixing system are disclosed. The pumping or mixing element is placed in a fluid-containing vessel in close proximity to a superconducting element. A cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element provides the necessary cooling to induce levitation in the pumping or mixing element. The superconducting element may be thermally isolated, such that the pumping or mixing element, the vessel, and any fluid contained therein are not exposed to the cold temperatures required to produce the desired superconductive effects and the resulting levitation. By using means external to the vessel to rotate and/or stabilize the pumping or mixing element levitating in the fluid, including possibly rotating the superconducting element itself or moving it relative to the vessel, the desired effective pumping or mixing action may be provided.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid, the vessel having a cavity formed in at least one side thereof; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel adjacent the cavity; at least one superconducting element po

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid, the vessel having a cavity formed in at least one side thereof; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel adjacent the cavity; at least one superconducting element positioned in or adjacent to the cavity for levitating the pumping or mixing element; a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, the chamber thermally isolating and/or separating the superconducting element from the vessel; a cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element; and a motive device for rotating the superconducting element and the pumping or mixing element together relative to the cavity. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element is the outer wall of a cryostat adapted for insertion into the cavity. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the pumping or mixing element includes a levitation magnet concentric with the superconducting element in the cryostat. 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said superconducting element is annular and a portion of the chamber defined by said wall is annular for receiving the annular superconducting element. 5. The system according to claim 1, further including a platform in said chamber for supporting the superconducting element, wherein the platform is thermally linked to the cooling source. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the thermal linking is provided by either a rod extending from the cooling source to the platform for supporting the superconducting element or a cryocooler serving as the cooling source in thermal engagement with the platform. 7. The system for according to claim 1, wherein the chamber surrounding the superconducting element is evacuated or insulated. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: the pumping or mixing element includes a levitation magnet having a magnetization vector, the at least one superconducting element is comprised of a plurality of segments of a superconducting material having a crystallographic structure comprising A-B planes and a C-axis, and the A-B planes are parallel to the magnetization vector; and the C-axis is perpendicular to the magnetization vector. 9. The system according to claim 1, further including: at least two superconducting elements, each comprised of a plurality of segments of a superconducting material having a crystallographic structure comprising A-B planes and a C-axis, and wherein: the A-B planes of each segment are parallel to the magnetization vector; and the C-axis of each segment is perpendicular to the magnetization vector. 10. The system according to claim 1, further including: first and second superconducting elements, each comprised of a plurality of segments of a superconducting material having a crystallographic structure comprising A-B planes and a C-axis, and wherein the A-B planes of each segment comprising the first superconducting element are parallel to the magnetization vector; the C-axis of each segment comprising the first superconducting element is perpendicular to the magnetization vector; the A-B planes of each segment comprising the second superconducting element are perpendicular to the magnetization vector; the C-axis of each segment comprising the second superconducting element is parallel to the magnetization vector. 11. The system according to claim 1, further including: first, second, and third superconducting elements, each comprised of a plurality of segments of a superconducting material having a crystallographic structure comprising A-B planes and a C-axis, and wherein; the A-B planes of the segments of the first and third superconducting elements are parallel to the magnetization vector; the C-axes of the segments of the first and third superconducting elements are perpendicular to the magnetization vector; the A-B planes of the segments of the second superconducting element are perpendicular to the magnetization vector; the C-axis of the segments of the second superconducting element are parallel to the magnetization vector. 12. The system according to claim 1, further including at least three superconducting elements, each arranged in an annular or polygonal configuration, and wherein the pumping or mixing element includes an annular levitation magnet that is positioned in the vessel such that each of three of the four sides of the levitation magnet are juxtaposed to one of said three superconducting elements. 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein each superconducting element is comprised of a plurality of contiguous or non-contiguous segments. 14. The system according to claim 1, wherein: the pumping or mixing element includes a disc-shaped body for overlying an upper wall of the cavity, said body carrying an annular levitation magnet surrounding a cylindrical sidewall defining the cavity in the vessel; and the superconducting element is annular and positioned in or adjacent to the cavity for interacting with the annular levitation magnet. 15. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel; at least one superconducting element positioned adjacent to the vessel for levitating the pumping or mixing element; a cryostat including a chamber thermally isolating and/or separating the superconducting element from the vessel and a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element; a motive device for rotating said cryostat, including said cooling source and superconducting element. 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the cooling source in the rotating cryostat is a Stirling-cycle cryocooler and the system further includes a dynamic electrical connection for supplying power to the rotating cryocooler. 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the dynamic electrical connection is a slip ring. 18. The system according to claim 15, further including at least one bearing supporting the cryostat and permitting low-friction rotational motion, wherein the motive device includes a motor for rotating a pulley that is coupled to the cryostat by an endless belt. 19. The system according to claim 15, further including at least one bearing supporting the cryostat and permitting low-friction rotational motion, wherein the motive device includes a motor having a driven shaft that is coupled to the cryostat. 20. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic element in a vessel having a cavity, such as for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: placing the magnetic element in a vessel concentric with the cavity; levitating the magnetic element above a superconducting element maintained in a superconducting state in accordance with a field cooling protocol and held in an evacuated or insulated chamber positioned adjacent to the cavity in the vessel; and rotating the magnetic element. 21. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel; at least one superconducting element positioned adjacent to the vessel for levitating the pumping or mixing element; a cryostat having a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating and/or separating the superconducting element from the vessel, and a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element; and a motive device for rotating said cryostat. 22. The system according to claim 21, wherein a first wall of the vessel defines a cavity, said wall being formed of a material having a first thickness that is less than the thickness of the material forming a remainder of the vessel. 23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the first wall of the vessel is cylindrical. 24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said cryostat is adapted for insertion into the cavity. 25. The system according to claim 21, wherein the pumping or mixing element includes a combined levitation and driven magnet that is concentric with the superconducting element in the cryostat. 26. The system according to claim 25, wherein said superconducting element is annular. 27. The system according to claim 25, wherein the cryostat is rotatably supported, the motive device is a motor, and an endless belt transfers the rotary motion produced by said motor to said cryostat to cause said superconducting element to rotate. 28. The system according to claim 27, wherein the cryostat is rotatably supported by one or more bearings. 29. The system according to claim 21, further including a platform in said chamber for supporting the superconducting element, wherein the platform is thermally linked to the cooling source. 30. The system for according to claim 21, wherein the chamber around the superconducting element is evacuated or insulated. 31. The system according to claim 21, wherein: the pumping or mixing element includes a levitation magnet comprised of a plurality of segments having alternating polarities and a magnetization vector, the superconducting element is comprised of a plurality of segments of a superconducting material having a crystallographic structure comprising A-B planes and a C-axis, and the C-axis of each segment is oriented in the radial direction. 32. The system according to claim 21, wherein the C-axis of each segment of the superconducting element is parallel to the magnetization vector of each said levitation magnet. 33. A method of levitating and rotating a magnetic element, such as for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: placing the magnetic element in a vessel having a cavity; levitating the magnetic element using a superconducting element positioned in the cavity; rotating the superconducting element to induce rotation in the magnetic element in the vessel about the cavity in a non-contact fashion. 34. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid, said vessel having a cavity formed therein; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel at a position concentric with the cavity; at least one superconducting element positioned in or adjacent to the cavity for levitating the pumping or mixing element relative to the vessel; a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating and/or separating the superconducting element from the vessel; a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element, a motive device for rotating said pumping or mixing element or said superconducting element and said pumping or mixing element, and means for assisting in maintaining a proper position of the levitating pumping or mixing element relative to the cavity. 35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the assisting means includes a first magnetic structure positioned on the pumping or mixing element and a second magnetic structure positioned in or on one of the wall defining the chamber around the superconducting element or the vessel in juxtaposition to the first magnetic structure, wherein the adjacent surfaces of the first and second magnetic structures have like polarities and thus repel each other. 36. The system according to claim 34, wherein the assisting means includes a first magnetic structure positioned on the pumping or mixing element and a second magnetic structure positioned in or on one of the wall defining the chamber around the superconducting element or the vessel in juxtaposition to the first magnetic structure, wherein the adjacent surfaces of the first and second magnetic structures have like polarities. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the first and second magnetic structures are each ring magnets. 38. The system of claim 36, wherein the first and second magnetic structures are each comprised of an arrays of magnets. 39. The system according to claim 34, wherein the pumping or mixing structure includes an opening and defines an annulus with the cavity, whereby upon rotating about the cavity, fluid is drawn through the annulus and out the opening to enhance the pumping or mixing action provided. 40. The system according to claim 34, wherein the superconducting element is comprised of a pair of spaced arrays of superconducting elements and the pumping or mixing element includes spaced arrays of alternating polarity levitation magnets. 41. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid, said vessel having a cavity formed in at least one side thereof; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel at a position concentric with the cavity and including at least one levitation magnet structure; at least one superconducting element positioned in or adjacent to the cavity for levitating the pumping or mixing element; a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber thermally isolating and/or separating the superconducting element from the vessel; a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element, a motive device for rotating either said pumping or mixing element alone or said superconducting element and said pumping or mixing element; a first magnetic levitation-assist structure positioned on the pumping or mixing element; and a second magnetic structure positioned in, inside or on one of the wall defining the chamber around the superconducting element or in, inside, or on the vessel in juxtaposition to the first magnetic levitation-assist structure, wherein the adjacent ends of the first and second magnetic structures have like polarities. 42. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid, said vessel having a cavity formed in at least one side thereof; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel at a position concentric with the cavity and including first and second arrays of alternating polarity levitation magnets; at least two spaced arrays of superconducting elements positioned in or adjacent to the cavity in juxtaposition to the first and second arrays of alternating polarity levitation magnets; a wall defining a chamber around the superconducting element, said chamber being evacuated or insulated to thermally isolate and/or separate the superconducting elements from the vessel; a cooling source thermally linked to said superconducting element, and a motive device for rotating said pumping or mixing element or said superconducting element. 43. The system according to claim 42, further including: means for assisting in maintaining the proper positioning of the levitating pumping or mixing element relative to the cavity. 44. A method of pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: positioning a pumping or mixing element in a vessel; levitating the pumping or mixing element using a superconducting element positioned in an evacuated or insulated chamber adjacent to the vessel; rotating the pumping or mixing element; and using a plurality of assist magnets to separately or simultaneously attract or repel the pumping or mixing element to maintain a proper position relative to the vessel. 45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the vessel includes a cavity, the pumping or mixing element is adjacent to and concentric with the cavity, and the step of levitating includes inserting the chamber in which the superconducting element is positioned into the cavity in juxtaposition with the adjacent pumping or mixing element. 46. The method according to claim 44, further including simultaneously attracting and repelling the pumping or mixing element to maintain a proper position relative to the vessel. 47. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid in a vessel capable of holding the fluid, said vessel having a cavity, using a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel concentric with the cavity, comprising: a cryostat including a cooling source thermally linked to a superconducting element and capable of selectively holding the superconducting element below a transition temperature and a chamber that is evacuated or insulated to thermally isolate and/or separate the superconducting element from the vessel, wherein said cryostat is positioned in said cavity but external to the vessel; a first motive device for rotating said cryostat, including said cooling source and superconducting element; and a second motive device for moving the cryostat and hence the superconducting element therein relative to the cavity. 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the vessel includes an engagement structure having a surface that corresponds to a matching surface on the pumping or mixing element and these surfaces are in engagement when the pumping or mixing element is in a non-levitated or resting position. 49. The system of claim 48, wherein the cryostat is moved to a first position adjacent to the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the non-levitated position, the superconducting element is cooled to below the transition temperature to form a magnetic coupling with the magnetic pumping or mixing element, and the cryostat is moved to a second position to separate the matching surfaces and levitate the pumping or mixing element. 50. The system of claim 49, wherein the cryostat is rotated once in the second position such that the levitating pumping or mixing element is rotated as a result of the magnetic coupling formed. 51. The system of claim 50, wherein the superconducting element is warmed or allowed to warm to above the transition temperature to allow the matching surface of the pumping or mixing element to rest on or engage the support surface. 52. A system for pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a vessel for holding the fluid having a cavity, said vessel including a tapered or frusto-conical engagement surface; a magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel concentric with the cavity and having a surface matching the engagement surface; a device for levitating the pumping or mixing element in the vessel such that the matching surface is separated from the engagement surface; a device for rotating the pumping or mixing element once levitated. 53. The system according to claim 52, wherein the device for levitating the pumping or mixing element comprises a cryostat including a cooling source thermally linked to a superconducting element and capable of selectively holding the superconducting element below a transition temperature and a chamber that is evacuated or insulated to thermally isolate and/or separate the superconducting element from the vessel. 54. The system according to claim 53, wherein said cryostat is positioned in said cavity but external to the vessel and the device for rotating the pumping or mixing element further includes a first motive device for rotating said cryostat, including said cooling source and superconducting element. 55. The system according to claim 53, further including a second motive device for moving the cryostat and hence the superconducting element therein relative to the cavity. 56. A method for levitating a magnetic pumping or mixing element in a vessel for holding a fluid having at least one cavity formed therein, with the pumping or mixing element being generally concentric with the cavity and initially in a non-levitated or resting position, comprising: positioning a superconducting element at a first position in the cavity, but external to the vessel, in alignment with the magnetic pumping or mixing element in the vessel; cooling the superconducting element to below a transition temperature to form a magnetic coupling with the magnetic pumping or mixing element; and moving the superconducting element to a second position in the cavity to induce levitation in the pumping or mixing element. 57. The method of claim 56, further including the step of thermally isolating or separating the superconducting element from the vessel. 58. The method of claim 56, further including the step of centering the pumping or mixing element in the non-levitated position. 59. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of centering comprises: providing a first alignment structure on or adjacent to the vessel; providing a second matching alignment structure on the pumping or mixing element; wherein the first and second alignment structures are in contact when the pumping or mixing element is at a non-levitated position and are separated when the pumping or mixing element is levitated. 60. An assembly for use in pumping or mixing a fluid using a pumping or mixing element that is selectively movable to a levitated position, comprising: a vessel capable of holding the fluid having a cavity, said vessel including a tapered or frusto-conical engagement surface; said magnetic pumping or mixing element positioned in the vessel concentric with the cavity and having a surface matching the tapered or frusto-conical engagement surface, wherein in a non-levitated position, the pumping or mixing element is aligned relative to the cavity by the engagement established between the matching surfaces, but in the levitated position, the surfaces are separated. 61. A system fopumping or mixing a fluid by levitating and rotating a magnetic impeller or rotor in a vessel, comprising: at least one superconducting element capable of levitating the magnetic impeller or rotor; and a cryostat for receiving and thermally isolating the superconducting element, the cryostat including a portable cryocooler for cooling the superconducting element to at least a transition temperature, whereby the pumping or mixing element may be levitated in the vessel in a non-contact fashion. 62. The system according to claim 61, further including a motive device for rotating the cryostat, including the cryocooler and the superconducting element, to induce rotation in the magnetic impeller or rotor. 63. The system according to claim 61, further including a bearing for rotatably supporting the portable cryocooler. 64. The system according to claim 61, wherein the cryocooler is rotatably mounted, and further including a dynamic electrical connection for transmitting power to the cryocooler during rotation. 65. An assembly for use in pumping or mixing a fluid, comprising: a flexible bag for holding the fluid under sterile conditions and having a cavity formed in at least one side thereof; and a pumping or mixing element positioned in the bag adjacent the cavity and rotatable about its central axis, wherein the cavity includes a surface for contacting the pumping or mixing element in at least a resting position. 66. The assembly according to claim 65, further including a rigid container for supporting the flexible bag. 67. The assembly according to claim 66, wherein the rigid container includes an opening in a bottom thereof through which bag is exposed. 68. The assembly according to claim 65, wherein the cavity projects inwardly into the bag. 69. The assembly according to claim 65, wherein a sidewall of the cavity includes the surface. 70. The assembly according to claim 65, wherein the pumping or mixing element is magnetic. 71. The assembly according to claim 65, wherein the cavity is formed in a bottom portion of the bag. 72. The assembly according to claim 65, wherein the cavity receives a rotatable shaft for rotating the pumping or mixing element. 73. The assembly according to claim 65, further including a rigid container for supporting the flexible bag. 74. The assembly according to claim 66, wherein the rigid container includes an opening in a bottom thereof through which the bag is exposed.