Abstract: A first bias magnetic flux may be communicated between a first axial pole and a first axial facing surface of the body. A second bias magnetic flux may be communicated between a second axial pole and a second axial facing surface of the body. A time-varying axial control magnetic flux may be communicated through the first and second axial facing surfaces of the body, and may be generated in a magnetic circuit including the body, the first and second axial poles, and an axial magnetic backiron. The first and second axial poles may include axial pole laminated inserts composed of electrically isolated steel laminations stacked along the body axis. The axial magnetic backiron may include laminated inserts composed of electrically isolated steel laminations stacked in the direction tangential to the body axis. The axial pole laminated inserts may be magnetically coupled to the axial magnetic backiron laminated inserts.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator generates electromagnetic forces across large radial gaps to support a body. The actuator has an actuator target having a rotational axis, and a target magnetic element arranged circumferentially around the rotational axis that has inner and outer magnetic poles. A cylindrical soft-magnetic target pole is magnetically coupled to the outer cylindrical magnetic pole of the target magnetic element. An actuator base includes radial poles arranged circumferentially around and radially spaced apart from the cylindrical soft-magnetic target pole. The radial poles and the cylindrical soft-magnetic target pole are magnetically coupled and define a plurality of magnetic control circuits. Control coils around the radial poles are configured to produce magnetic fluxes in the magnetic control circuits.

Abstract: Noncontact measuring of positions of objects is achieved through measurements of parameters characterized by the distribution of an AC magnetic flux in the air gap between stationary and moveable portions defining a sensor magnetic circuit.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a generator system can be used with the working fluid in a Rankine cycle. For example, the generator system can be used in a Rankine cycle to recover heat from one of a number of commercial applications and to convert that heat energy into electrical energy. In particular embodiments, the generator system may include a turbine generator apparatus to generate electrical energy and a liquid separator arranged upstream of the turbine generator apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring linear velocity of a movable element relative to a stationary element includes a magnetic element fixed in relation to the stationary element. A soft-magnetic yoke is fixed in relation to the movable element to move with the movable element and is in non-contact relation with the magnetic element. A yoke pole is positioned proximate to the magnetic element and spaced therefrom by an air gap. The pole is magnetically coupled to the magnetic element so that a magnetic flux is generated in the air gap substantially orthogonal to the axis of motion. A conductive coil is coiled around a coil axis and is fixed in relation to the stationary element with the coil axis substantially parallel to the axis of movement. The coil is in non-contact relation with the yoke and resides between the magnetic element and the pole of the yoke in the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A homopolar magnetic actuator is configured to exert controllable radial forces on a body adapted to rotate around an axis. The actuator comprises at least three radial magnetic pole assemblies distributed at some distances from each other along the axis, each including a plurality of poles adjacent to an actuator target on the body. Permanent magnets are used to induce bias magnetic fluxes in the assemblies with polarities alternating from assembly to assembly but remaining the same around the rotational axis. Having several small bias fluxes distributed between several pole assemblies instead of a large single bias flux facilitates designing an actuator with a high aspect ratio. A control coil around each pole can induce a control magnetic flux in the poles. These control fluxes affect magnetic flux distribution around the actuator target, resulting in magnetic forces exerted on the target.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a fluid expansion system include a turbine generator apparatus in which the driven member is arranged on the outlet side of the turbine wheel. In such circumstances, the fluid output from the turbine wheel can flow towards the driven member, for example, to provide heat dissipation to some components of the turbine generator apparatus (e.g., generator electronics or the like). This arrangement of the turbine wheel relative to the driven member also permits the use of bearing supports on both the input side and the outlet side of the turbine wheel.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator with flux feedback control includes two poles located on opposite sides of a soft-magnetic target. A bias flux is introduced that flows into both poles. Magnetic circuitry may be designed so that the total bias flux is independent or substantially independent of a position of the target with respect to the poles or the control flux. The electromagnetic actuator also includes flux sensors introduced into each gap between the poles and the target. The electromagnetic actuator further includes an actuator control circuit to command the current in the control coil to bring a difference between the readings of the two flux sensors to a targeted level. In some aspects, the force exerted on the actuator target in this arrangement may be proportional to the command signal regardless of the position of the actuator target, MMF drop in the soft-magnetic parts of the magnetic circuit, or the frequency.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a body having a rotational axis, a first pole adjacent an end facing surface of the body, and a second pole adjacent a lateral facing surface of the body. The poles are adapted to communicate magnetic flux with the body. The body, the first pole, and the second pole define an axial magnetic control circuit. The actuator includes a plurality of radial poles adjacent the lateral facing surface of the body and adapted to communicate magnetic flux with the body. The body and the plurality of radial poles define a plurality of radial magnetic control circuits. The plurality of radial poles are adapted to communicate magnetic fluxes with the body and at least one of the first pole or the second pole. The body, the plurality of radial poles, and at least one of the first pole or the second pole define a magnetic bias circuit.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a fluid expansion system include a turbine generator apparatus in which the driven member is arranged on the outlet side of the turbine wheel. In such circumstances, the fluid output from the turbine wheel can flow towards the driven member, for example, to provide heat dissipation to some components of the turbine generator apparatus (e.g., generator electronics or the like). This arrangement of the turbine wheel relative to the driven member also permits the use of bearing supports on both the input side and the outlet side of the turbine wheel.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a body having a rotational axis, a first pole adjacent an end facing surface of the body, and a second pole adjacent a lateral facing surface of the body. The poles are adapted to communicate magnetic flux with the body. The body, the first pole, and the second pole define an axial magnetic control circuit. The actuator includes a plurality of radial poles adjacent the lateral facing surface of the body and adapted to communicate magnetic flux with the body. The body and the plurality of radial poles define a plurality of radial magnetic control circuits. The plurality of radial poles are adapted to communicate magnetic fluxes with the body and at least one of the first pole or the second pole. The body, the plurality of radial poles, and at least one of the first pole or the second pole define a magnetic bias circuit.

Abstract: A rotor construction may comprise a rotor with a centrally located permanent magnet section having aligned magnet segments and having a central hole throughout its length. A thin rod of magnetic steel is located in this central hole to support the permanent magnets from within. At each end of the rod are located threaded sections for attachment to supporting end stubs. A high strength steel sleeve is interference fit over both the magnets and the end stubs to provide a mechanical link from stub to stub. The guide rod insures that the end stubs and central magnet are concentric during initial processing, prevents relative motion between the rotor components and provides support for the magnet once the sleeve is installed.

Abstract: An optimized flywheel energy storage system utilizing magnetic bearings, a high speed permanent magnet motor/generator, and a flywheel member. The flywheel system is constructed using a high strength steel wheel for kinetic energy storage, high efficiency magnetic bearings configured with dual thrust acting permanent magnet combination bearings, and a high efficiency permanent magnet motor generator. The steel wheel provides a cost effective, high speed construction for the energy storage rotor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A magnetic thrust bearing having a high speed rotation capability and low cost construction. The magnetic thrust bearing has permanent magnets to provide bias flux. The magnetic circuits of the control flux and bias fluxes are substantially non-coincident, which allows for a low reluctance and efficient path for the control 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 produce extremely large forces. No radially magnetized permanent magnets are required and no permanent magnets are attached to the rotor.

Abstract: 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.