865results about "Bearing load relief" patented technology

An improved magnetic bearing that uses permanent magnets to provide the bias flux. The magnetic circuits generating the control flux and bias fluxes are substantially non-coincident but share the same path over some portions that include radial and axial airgaps allowing for a low reluctance and an efficient path for the electromagnetic flux. The flux paths of the permanent magnets are completely defined with minimized airgaps for achieving higher forces and efficiency and very low control currents that produce extremely large forces. A single coil and amplifier for the axial force control and two coils with one associated amplifier for each radial axis of control provides simplicity and cost effectiveness. A single thrust disk is provided that is reacted against for both radial and the axial displacement. The permanent magnets used in the present invention are first fabricated and axially magnetized as segments or as continuous rings prior to being mounted on the sides of the rotor pole, providing an effective and inexpensive technique of manufacturing magnetic bearings.

The present invention provides a rotational magnetic gimbal with an integral magnetic bearing. Brushless DC motor technology provides electromagnetic suspension, using a single electromagnetic actuator to perform both the radial bearing and rotary torque (motoring) functions. An integrated motor and magnetic bearing consistent with the invention comprises a rotor comprising a plurality of permanent magnets and a stator comprising a plurality of independently controlled coil segments magnetically coupled to the permanent magnets. Embodiments may further comprise first and second radial position sensors, the first radial position sensor disposed in or adjacent to a clearance gap between the rotor and the stator for sensing the position of the rotor with respect to the stator along a first axis, and a second radial position sensor disposed in or adjacent to the clearance gap between the rotor and the stator for sensing the position of the rotor with respect to the stator along a second axis. In method form, a method for providing integral electromagnetic motor and bearing functions comprises sensing a first radial position of a rotor, the rotor comprising a plurality of permanent magnets, with respect to a stator along a first axis, the stator comprising a plurality of independently controlled coil segments magnetically coupled to the permanent magnets; and sensing a second radial position of the rotor with respect to the stator along a second axis; and delivering current to at least one coil segment, the amount of current based on at least one sensed position.

The invention relates to an economical, non-wearing, electrical permanent magnet drive for actively controlling the rotor position in three degree of freedom. The stator windings produce superimposed fields with different pole numbers in the pole pitches by unsymmetrical magnetomotive force distributions.

A system and method are disclosed for controlling an integrated rotary-linear actuator system that may be coupled to a network via a network interface. The integrated rotary-linear actuator system includes a control system and a rotary-linear actuator having a moveable plunger and associated coils. The coils may be energized to interact with associated magnets to effect corresponding movement of the plunger, which may include rotation and / or linear movement. The network interface facilitates receipt of control information at the control system of the integrated rotary-linear actuator system from the network. The control system may control an amplifier to energize the coils based on the control information.

An improved magnetic bearing that uses permanent magnets to provide the bias flux. The magnetic circuits generating the control flux and bias fluxes are substantially non-coincident but share the same path over some portions that include radial and axial airgaps allowing for a low reluctance and an efficient path for the electromagnetic flux. The flux paths of the permanent magnets are completely defined with minimized airgaps for achieving higher forces and efficiency and very low control currents that produce extremely large forces. A single coil and amplifier for the axial force control and two coils with one associated amplifier for each radial axis of control provides simplicity and cost effectiveness. A single thrust disk is provided that is reacted against for both radial and the axial displacement. The permanent magnets used in the present invention are first fabricated and axially magnetized as segments or as continuous rings prior to being mounted on the sides of the rotor pole, providing an effective and inexpensive technique of manufacturing magnetic bearings.

A flywheel energy storage system (10) includes a vacuum enclosure (18) having a flywheel (12), motor / generator (14), and a shaft (16) enclosed within. The flywheel and motor / generator combination are designed to minimize bearing loads and thus increase system life, reliability and safety.

PCT No. PCT / DE96 / 01665 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 23, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 23, 1998 PCT Filed Aug. 31, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 08477 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 6, 1997The invention concerns a system for active reduction of radial vibrations of a rotating shaft (4), especially the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine (1), with at least one active electromagnetic device (7; 10; 15, 16), which is configured and controlled such that it applies radial forces to the shaft (4), which counteract the radial vibrations of the shaft (4).

A spindle device equipped with a combined externally pressurized gas-magnetic bearing assembly, and a machining apparatus utilizing the spindle device. The spindle device is capable of accomplishing a high speed rotation with high rotational precision and includes a main shaft (4) rotatably supported by the combined bearing assembly (6 to 9), an electric current detecting device (15 to 18) disposed in a spindle controller (3) for detecting a current supplied to electromagnets of the combined bearing assembly (6 to 9). Also provided is a machining status determining device (19) for determining the machining status in reference to the current detected by the current detecting device (15 to 18). The machining status may be an indication of the extent to which a machining tool is impaired.

A magnetic levitation weight reduction structure for a vertical wind turbine generator includes a frame, a fixed permanent magnet, an axle, a revolving permanent magnet, a blade hub, and a generator. The fixed permanent magnet fixed to the frame has a first repulsive surface. The axle is connected to the frame. The revolving permanent magnet fixed to the axle has a second repulsive surface in relation to the first repulsive surface of the fixed permanent magnet. Both the first and the second repulsive surfaces repel with each other. The blade hub and the generator are connected to the axle. When the revolving permanent magnet is rotated, the axle functions as a balance center.

A spindle motor for use in a disk drive includes a spindle motor base and a motor shaft. The motor shaft has a central axis. The spindle motor includes a spindle motor hub rotatably coupled to the spindle motor base, the spindle motor hub including a central magnetic metal portion disposed adjacent a distal end of the motor shaft. The spindle motor includes a ball bearing set disposed between and in mechanical communication with the spindle motor hub and the motor shaft for rotatably coupling the spindle motor hub to the spindle motor base. The spindle motor includes a shaft magnetic element attached to the motor shaft at the distal end adjacent the central magnetic metal portion, the shaft magnetic element being sized and configured to apply an attractive magnetic force to the central magnetic metal portion in a direction along the central axis for pre-loading the ball bearing set.

A flywheel energy storage system (10) includes a vacuum enclosure (18) having a flywheel (12), motor / generator (14), and a shaft (16) enclosed within. The flywheel and motor / generator combination are designed to minimize bearing loads and thus increase system life, reliability and safety.

This invention relates to rotary pumps adapted, but not exclusively, for use as artificial hearts or ventricular assist devices and, in particular, discloses in preferred forms a seal-less shaft-less pump featuring open or closed (shrouded) impeller blades with the edges of the blades used as hydrodynamic thrust bearings and with electromagnetic torque provided by the interaction between magnets embedded in the blades and a rotating current pattern generated in coils fixed relative to the pump housing.

A magnetic levitation weight reduction structure for a vertical wind turbine generator includes a frame, a fixed permanent magnet, an axle, a revolving permanent magnet, a blade hub, and a generator. The fixed permanent magnet fixed to the frame has a first repulsive surface. The axle is connected to the frame. The revolving permanent magnet fixed to the axle has a second repulsive surface in relation to the first repulsive surface of the fixed permanent magnet. Both the first and the second repulsive surfaces repel with each other. The blade hub and the generator are connected to the axle. When the revolving permanent magnet is rotated, the axle functions as a balance center.

An apparatus for inducing drive is shown that includes a primary drive shaft and four secondary drive shafts. The primary shaft and secondary shafts are fitted with magnets that are oriented such that when the primary shaft is rotated the secondary shafts are caused to rotate due to attractive or repulsive forces. The primary shaft is connected to and rotated by a rotational energy source such as a motor powered by electricity or a battery, although any source of energy to cause rotation of the primary shaft may be used. Each secondary shaft is fitted with two annular magnetic discs that are oriented to vertically support the weight of the shaft (and any attachments / fittings thereto) above the alternating or generating device. The discs can be arranged to provide either an attractive or repulsive magnetic force between them.