The Patent office does have a class of inventions known as permanent magnet motors. Howard Johnsons 1979 patent is a 'permanent magnet motor'.
External Links
Magnet Motors (http://freeenergynews.com/Directory/Howard_Johnson_Motor/) - index of claims to working magnet motors, as well as theories and skeptics. (FreeEnergyNews.com)
Perendev Power Developments Pty (Ltd) (http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Perendev_Power_Developments_Pty_(Ltd)) - Has claimed a working unit for several years; claims to be preparing for market readiness. Video of motor available. (PESWiki)
Howard Johnson Magnetic Motor (http://freeenergynews.com/Directory/Howard_Johnson_Motor/) - Topics include: Blueprints • HJ Motor Projects • Patents • Related • Features of HJ Mag. Motor Tech • Directories • Newsletter • Discussion • Sourcing Magnets (FreeEnergyNews.com)
Hybrid stepping motors combine a rotor with a permanentmagnet and a magnetic body using ball bearings.
Permanentmagnet (PM) stepping motors use a permanentmagnet (PM) as a rotor and contain no ball bearings.
Permanentmagnet stepping motors are widely used in printers, copiers, and scanners, or to activate valves in household water and gas systems, and as actuators in automotive applications.