Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “MAGNETIC BEARINGS”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Magnetic bearings for inertial energy storage

Advanced flywheels utilizing high strength fibers must operate at high rotational speeds and as such must operate in vacuum to reduce windage losses. The utilization of magnetic bearings in the flywheels overcome lubrication and seal problems, resulting in an energy storage system offering potential improvements over conventional electrochemical energy storage. Magnetic bearings evolved in the 1950s from the simple application of permanent magnets positioned to exert repulsive forces to the present where permanent magnets and electromagnets have been combined to provide axial and radial suspension. Further development of magnetic suspension has led to the design of a shaftless flywheel system for aerospace application. Despite the lack of proof of concept, integrated magnetic suspension in inertial storage systems can provide significant performance improvements to warrant development and tests.

Rodriguez, G. Ernest↗
NASA NTRS1983

A compact magnetic bearing for gimballed momentum wheel

A three axis controlled magnetic bearing and its application to a momentum wheel are described. The four divided stators provide a momentum wheel with high reliability, low weight, large angular momentum storage capacity, and gimbal control. Those characteristics are desirable for spacecraft attitude control.

Yabu-Uchi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A six degree-of-freedom magnetic bearing for microgravity vibration isolation

A design for a magnetic bearing, proposed as the fine stage of a coarse-fine actuator for microgravity vibration isolation, is presented. The bearing is novel in that it uses a geometry that has just three independent flux path systems. This contrasts the twelve flux path systems (six bidirectional thrust bearings) used in conventional designs. The design results in compactness, light weight, and high performance when compared with the published designs. A control system is proposed to reject disturbances caused by an umbilical connection to the experiment.

Allan, A. Peter↗
NASA NTRS1994

Advances In Magnetic Bearings

NASA technical memorandum reviews state of technology of magnetic bearings, focusing mainly on attractive bearings rather than repulsive, eddy-current, or Lorentz bearings. Attractive bearings offer greater load capacities and preferred for aerospace machinery.

Fleming, David P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Magnetic Bearings For Turbopumps

Report presents study of feasibility of magnetic bearings in turbopumps. Liquid-oxygen turbopump in space shuttle main engine selected for study. Other potential applications include manned and unmanned spacecraft, gas turbines for commercial and military aircraft, turbomachinery for petro-chemical and gas operations, suspension systems for precise machinery, and precise pointing and tracking systems.

Meeks, Crawford R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Analytical model of an Annular Momentum Control Device (AMCD) laboratory test model magnetic bearing actuator

An analytical model of an Annular Momentum Control Device (AMCD) laboratory test model magnetic bearing actuator with permanent magnet fluxbiasing is presented. An AMCD consists of a spinning annular rim which is suspended by a noncontacting linear electromagnetic spin motor. The actuator is treated as a lumped-parameter electromechanical system in the development of the model.

Groom, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Cross Feedback Control of a Magnetic Bearing System: Controller Design Considering Gyroscopic Effects

For flywheel rotors or other rotors with significant ratios of moments of inertia, the influence of gyroscopic effects has to be considered. While conservative or damped systems remain stable even under gyroscopic effects, magnetically suspended rotors can be destabilized with increasing rotational speed. The influence of gyroscopic effects on the stability and behavior of a magnetic bearing system is analyzed. The analysis is carried out with a rigid body model for the rotor and a nonlinear model for the magnetic bearing and its amplifier. Cross feedback control can compensate gyroscopic effects. This compensation leads to better system performance and can avoid instability. Furthermore, the implementation of this compensation is simple. The main structure of a decentralized controller can still be used. It has only to be expanded by the cross feedback path.

Ahrens, Markus↗
NASA NTRS2001

Low loss pole configuration for multi-pole homopolar magnetic bearings

A new pole configuration for multi-pole homopolar bearings proposed in this invention reduces rotational losses caused by eddy-currents generated when non-uniform flux distributions exist along the rotor surfaces. The new homopolar magnetic bearing includes a stator with reduced pole-to-pole and exhibits a much more uniform rotor flux than with large pole-to-pole gaps. A pole feature called a pole-link is incorporated into the low-loss poles to provide a uniform pole-to-pole gap and a controlled path for pole-to-pole flux. In order to implement the low-loss pole configuration of magnetic bearings with small pole-to-pole gaps, a new stator configuration was developed to facilitate installation of coil windings. The stator was divided into sector shaped pieces, as many pieces as there are poles. Each sector-shaped pole-piece can be wound on a standard coil winding machine, and it is practical to wind precision layer wound coils. To achieve maximum actuation efficiency, it is desirable to use all the available space for the coil formed by the natural geometric configuration. Then, the coils can be wound in a tapered shape. After winding, the sectored-pole-pieces are installed into and fastened by bonding or other means, to a ring of material which encloses the sectored-pole-pieces, forming a complete stator.

Blumenstock, Kenneth A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Feasibility of magnetic bearings for advanced gas turbine engines

The application of active magnetic bearings to advanced gas turbine engines will provide a product with major improvements compared to current oil lubricated bearing designs. A rethinking of the engine rotating and static structure design is necessary and will provide the designer with significantly more freedom to meet the demanding goals of improved performance, increased durability, higher reliability, and increased thrust to weight ratio via engine weight reduction. The product specific technology necessary for this high speed, high temperature, dynamically complex application has been defined. The resulting benefits from this approach to aircraft engine rotor support and the complementary engine changes and improvements have been assessed.

Hibner, David↗
NASA NTRS1998

Three-axis force actuator for a magnetic bearing

This invention features a three-axis force actuator that axially, radially and rotatably supports a bearing member for frictionless rotation about an axis of rotation generally coincident with a Z-axis. Also featured is a magnetic bearing having such an actuator. The actuator includes an inner member, a magnetic member and a pole assembly having a ring member and four pole extending therefrom. The poles are equi-angular spaced from each other and radially spaced about the Z-axis. The inner member extends along the Z-axis and is a highly magnetic permeable material. The magnetic member is formed about the inner member outer surface, extends along the Z-axis and is configured so one magnetic pole polarity is located at its outer surface and the other polarity pole is located at its inner surface. Preferably, the magnetic member is a radially magnetized permanent magnet. The inner surface of the ring member is magnetically coupled to the magnetic member and a face of each pole is coupled to the bearing member. The magnetic member, the pole assembly, the inner member and the bearing member cooperate to generate a magnetic field that radially and rotatably supports a rotating member secured to the bearing member. The actuator further includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils. Preferably, a coil is formed about each pole and at least 2 coils are formed about the inner member. When energized, the electromagnetic coils generate a modulated magnetic field that stabilizes the rotating member in the desired operational position.

Gondhalekar, Vijay↗
DOE OSTI2015

Hydrodynamic Effects on Modeling and Control of a High Temperature Active Magnetic Bearing Pump with a Canned Rotor

Embedding instrumentation and control Embedding instrumentation and control (I\&C) at the component level in nuclear power plants can improve component performance, lifetime, and resilience by optimizing operation, reducing the constraints on physical design, and providing on-board prognostics and diagnostics. However, the extreme environments that many nuclear power plant components operate in makes embedding instrumentation and control at the component level difficult. Successfully utilizing embedded I\&C requires developing a deep understanding of the system's dynamics and using that knowledge to overcome material and physical limitations imposed by the environment. In this paper, we will develop a coupled dynamic model of a high temperature (700 $^\circ$C) canned rotor pump that incorporates rotordynamics, hydrodynamics, and active magnetic bearing dynamics. Then we will compare two control design methods, one that uses a simplified decoupled model of the system and another that utilizes the full coupled system model. It will be seen that utilizing all the available knowledge of the system dynamics in the controller design yield an order of magnitude improvement in the magnitude of the magnetic bearing response to disturbances at the same level of control effort, a large reduction in the settling time of the system, and a smoother control action.

Melin, Alexander M↗
NASA NTRS1992

Magnetic bearings: A key technology for advanced rocket engines?

For several years, active magnetic bearings (AMB) have demonstrated their capabilities in many fields, from industrial compressors to control wheel suspension for spacecraft. Despite this broad area, no significant advance has been observed in rocket propulsion turbomachinery, where size, efficiency, and cost are crucial design criteria. To this respect, Societe Europeenne de Propulsion (SEP) had funded for several years significant efforts to delineate the advantages and drawbacks of AMB applied to rocket propulsion systems. Objectives of this work, relative technological basis, and improvements are described and illustrated by advanced turbopump layouts. Profiting from the advantages of compact design in cryogenic environments, the designs show considerable improvements in engine life, performances, and reliability. However, these conclusions should still be tempered by high recurrent costs, mainly due to the space-rated electronics. Development work focused on this point and evolution of electronics show the possibility to decrease production costs by an order of magnitude.

Girault, J. PH.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Concepts of flywheels for energy storage using autostable high-T(sub c) superconducting magnetic bearings

A flywheel for energy storage using autostable high-T(sub c) superconducting magnetic bearings has been built. The rotating disk has a total weight of 2.8 kg. The maximum speed is 9240 rpm. A process that allows accelerated, reliable and reproducible production of melt-textured superconducting material used for the bearings has been developed. In order to define optimum configurations for radial and axial bearings, interaction forces in three dimensions and vertical and horizontal stiffness have been measured between superconductors and permanent magnets in different geometries and various shapes. Static as well as dynamic measurements have been performed. Results are being reported and compared to theoretical models.

Bornemann, Hans J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Tests Of A Magnetic Bearing For Cryogenic Applications

Report describes experiments performed in test rig on hybrid magnetic bearing for possible use in turbopumps at low temperature. Results of tests indicate feasible to use bearing in cryogenic environments and bearing damps bending-mode vibrations of flexible rotor as rotor accelerates or decelerates through speeds at which bending-mode oscillations excited.

Dirusso, Eliseo↗
NASA NTRS1994

Rotor dynamic behaviour of a high-speed oil-free motor compressor with a rigid coupling supported on four radial magnetic bearings

The combination of a high-speed motor, dry gas seals, and magnetic bearings realized in this unit facilitates the elimination of oil. The motor is coupled with a quill shaft to the compressor. This yields higher natural frequencies of the rotor than with the use of a diaphragm coupling and helps to maintain a sufficient margin of the maximum speed to the frequency of the second compressor bending mode. However, the controller of each bearing then has to take the combined modes of both machines into account. The requirements for the controller to ensure stability and sufficient damping of all critical speeds are designed and compared with the implemented controller. The calculated closed loop behavior was confirmed experimentally, except the stability of some higher modes due to slight frequency deviations of the rotor model to the actual rotor. The influence of a mechanical damper as a device to provide additional damping to high models is demonstrated theoretically. After all, it was not necessary to install the damper, since all modes cold be stabilized by the controller.

Schmied, J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Experimental High Temperature Characterization of a Magnetic Bearing for Turbomachinery

Open loop, experimental force and power measurements of a radial, redundant-axis, magnetic bearing at temperatures to 1000 F (538 C) and rotor speeds to 15,000 RPM along with theoretical temperature and force models are presented in this paper. The experimentally measured force produced by a single C-core using 22A was 600 lb. (2.67 kN) at room temperature and 380 lb. (1.69 kN) at 1000 F (538 C). These values were compared with force predictions based on a 1D magnetic circuit analysis and a thermal analysis of gap growth as a function of temperature. Tests under rotating conditions showed that rotor speed has a negligible effect on the bearing s load capacity. One C-core required approximately 340 W of power to generate 190 lb. (8.45 kN) of magnetic force at 1000 F (538 C); however the magnetic air gap was much larger than at room temperature. The data presented is after the bearing had already operated six thermal cycles and eleven total (not consecutive) hours at 1000 F (538 C).

Montague, Gerald↗
NASA NTRS1991

Robust and real-time rotor control with magnetic bearings

This paper deals with the sliding mode control of a rigid rotor via radial magnetic bearings. The digital control algorithm and the results from numerical simulations are presented for an experimental rig. The experimental system which has been set up to digitally implement and validate the sliding mode control algorithm is described. Two methods for the development of control softwares are presented. Experimental results for individual rotor axis are discussed.

Sinha, A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Study of magnetic bearings with high temperature superconductors, phase 3

Three areas related to the actively controlled radial magnetic bearing concepts are discussed. These areas are: (1) modification to the ac loss calculations of the 1990 report; (2) a continuous changing mechanism to compensate rotor current drop due to ac losses; and (3) design of a proof of principle experiment simulating the proposed bearing concept.

Eyssa, Y. M.↗