Magnetically Suspended Vehicle

Abstract

Generally discussed herein are magnetically suspended vehicle apparatuses, vehicles, and techniques related thereto. In one or more embodiments a vehicle configured to be magnetically suspended may include a steering mechanism, a propulsion mechanism coupled to the steering mechanism, a first end of a stem coupled to the propulsion mechanism, at least one wheel coupled to the propulsion mechanism, and at least one magnet coupled to the stem, wherein the magnet is configured to suspend the vehicle from a ferrous surface when the magnet is situated at or near the ferrous surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle configured to be magnetically suspended comprising:
 a steering mechanism;   a propulsion mechanism coupled to the steering mechanism;   a stem, wherein a first end of the stem is coupled to the propulsion mechanism;   a carriage, wherein a second end of the stem is coupled to the carriage; and   at least one magnet coupled to the stem, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to suspend the vehicle from a ferrous surface when the at least one magnet is situated at or near the ferrous surface.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the propulsion mechanism includes at least one wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnet includes at least one ball bearing situated thereon and the magnet is configured to suspend the vehicle when a gap exists between the magnet and the ferrous surface. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnet and at least a portion of the propulsion mechanism are situated adjacent to the at least one wheel, and wherein the magnet is disposed at or near the first end of the stem. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage includes a seat. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage includes a waterproof shell. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the steering mechanism includes a processor and a user interface, the processor operable to receive commands through the user interface and control the propulsion mechanism in response to the commands. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion mechanism of  claim 1  comprises at least one motor and at least one axle. 
     
     
         9 . The propulsion mechanism of  claim 1  comprises pedals, at least one toothed cog, and at least one chain. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a ferrous surface; and   a vehicle comprising:
 at least one magnet magnetically coupled to the ferrous surface; 
 a ball bearing coupled to the magnet and situated between the magnet and the ferrous surface; 
 a steering mechanism; 
 a propulsion mechanism coupled to the steering mechanism; 
 a stem including first and second ends, the first end connected to the steering mechanism and the second end connected to the propulsion mechanism; and 
 at least one wheel coupled to the propulsion mechanism; 
 wherein the at least one magnet is coupled to the stem and configured to suspend the vehicle from the ferrous surface when the at least one magnet is situated at or near the ferrous surface. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a seat coupled to the stem at or near the first end of the stem. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one magnet and the propulsion mechanism are situated adjacent to the at least one wheel, and wherein the at least one magnet is situated at or near the second end of the stem. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a seat and steering mechanism are encased in a waterproof shell. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the steering mechanism comprises a steering wheel and the propulsion mechanism comprises stop and go pedals. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle further comprises a processor and a user interface, the processor configured to receive commands from a user through the user interface and control the propulsion mechanism in response to the received commands. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the propulsion mechanism comprises a motor and at least one axle coupled to the at least one wheel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the steering mechanism comprises a steering wheel, and the propulsion mechanism comprises at least two toothed cogs and at least one chain, a toothed cog of the at least two toothed cogs coupled to a wheel of the at least one wheel and coupled to another toothed cog of the at least two toothed cogs. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a propulsion mechanism, a command to move a vehicle magnetically suspended from a ferrous surface; and   in response to receiving the command, activating a propulsion mechanism of the vehicle to spin a wheel coupled to the propulsion mechanism and move the vehicle along the ferrous surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein receiving the command to move the vehicle includes a user engaging pedals to engage at least two toothed cogs and at least one chain coupled to the at least one wheel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein receiving the command to move the vehicle includes receiving the command from a handheld steering mechanism.