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The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for axially supporting a shaft. In one aspect, a magnetic suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing is provided. The magnetic suspension system includes an array of magnet members disposed between the shaft and the housin

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for axially supporting a shaft. In one aspect, a magnetic suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing is provided. The magnetic suspension system includes an array of magnet members disposed between the shaft and the housing. The array of magnet members comprising a first magnet member, a second magnet member, and a third magnet member, wherein the first magnet member and the second magnet member generate a first force that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and the second magnet member and the third magnet member generate a second force that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft The first force and the second force are configured to position the shaft axially within the housing. In another aspect, a method of supporting a shaft along a longitudinal axis of a housing is provided. In a further aspect, a suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing is provided.

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1. A magnetic suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing, the system comprising: a first array of magnet members disposed proximate a first end of the shaft between the shaft and the housing, the first array of magnet members comprising a first magnet member, a second magnet member, and a

1. A magnetic suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing, the system comprising: a first array of magnet members disposed proximate a first end of the shaft between the shaft and the housing, the first array of magnet members comprising a first magnet member, a second magnet member, and a third magnet member,wherein the first magnet member and the second magnet member generate a first force that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and the second magnet member and the third magnet member generate a second force that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft andwherein the first force and the second force are configured to position the shaft axially within the housing; anda second array of magnet members disposed proximate a second end of the shaft between the shaft and the housing, the second array of magnet members comprising a fourth magnet member, a fifth magnet member, and a sixth magnet member,wherein the fourth magnet member and the fifth magnet member generate a third force that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the fifth magnet member and the sixth magnet member generate a fourth force that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 2. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet member and the third magnet member are attached to the housing and the second magnet member is attached to the shaft. 3. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the second magnet member is disposed between the first magnet member and the third magnet member. 4. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first force is in one direction and the second force is in an opposite direction and the first and second forces are substantially equal which causes the shaft to be centralized within the housing. 5. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first force is in one direction and the second force is in an opposite direction and the first and second forces are unequal which causes the shaft to be offset within the housing. 6. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the third magnet member is twice the size of either the first magnet member or the second magnet member. 7. The magnetic suspension system of claim 6, wherein a distance between the third magnet member and the second magnet member is greater than a distance between the second magnet member and the first magnet member. 8. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arrays are configured to have an asymmetric mechanical response. 9. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first force and the third force are in one direction and the second force and the fourth force are in an opposite direction and the forces are substantially equal which causes the shaft to be centralized within the housing. 10. The magnetic suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first force and the third force are in one direction and the second force and the fourth force are in an opposite direction and the forces are unequal which causes the shaft to be offset within the housing. 11. A method of supporting a shaft along a longitudinal axis of a housing, the method comprising: selecting an axial position of the shaft within the housing;selecting a first array of magnet members based upon the selected axial position, the first array of magnet members comprising a first magnet member, a second magnet member, and a third magnet member; andpositioning the first array of magnet members towards a first end of the shaft between the shaft and the housing such that a first force and a second force are generated in the array of magnet members which is configured to position the shaft at the axial position within the housing, the first and second forces being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft;selecting a second array of magnet members based upon the selected axial position, the second array of magnet members comprising a fourth magnet member, a fifth magnet member, and a sixth magnet member; andpositioning the second array of magnet members towards a second end of the shaft wherein the fourth magnet member and the fifth magnet member generate a third force that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the fifth magnet member and the sixth magnet member generate a fourth force that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein third force has a different magnitude than the fourth force, which causes the shaft to be decentralized within the housing. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising attaching the first magnet member and the third magnet member to the housing and the second magnet member to the shaft. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the second magnet member is disposed between the first magnet member and the third magnet member. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein selecting the first array of magnet members includes selecting a density of magnetic material for each magnet member. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein selecting the first array of magnet members includes selecting spacing between magnet members in the first array of magnet members. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first force is in one direction and the second force is in an opposite direction and the first and second forces are substantially equal which causes the shaft to be centralized within the housing. 18. A suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing, the system comprising: a first array of magnet members disposed between the shaft and the housing at one end of the shaft; anda second array of magnet members disposed between the shaft and the housing at another end of the shaft, wherein the first array of magnet member generates first and second forces and the second array of magnet members generates third and fourth forces and wherein the forces are configured to position the shaft axially within the housing,wherein the first, second, third, and fourth forces are all substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein each array of magnet members includes at least three magnet members. 20. The method of claim 11, further including configuring the first array such that the first and second forces are asymmetric. 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second arrays each are configured to have an asymmetric mechanical response.