Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mechanical backup bearing system arrangement to work in conjunction with non-contact magnetic bearings and capable of coping with thermal expansions of the bearing components during operations. Expansions or contractions of an inner or outer race of a bearing can be compensated using particular springs providing a low profile and a proper stiffness. An electric machine system includes a rotational portion and a stationary portion. The electric machine further includes a magnetic bearing configured to support the rotational portion to rotate within the stationary portion. A mechanical back-up bearing resides in a cavity between the rotational portion and the stationary portion. A flat spring is carried by the stationary portion and abutting the back-up bearing.

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: A machine includes a rotor supported to rotate about a rotational axis and an actuator arranged to act on the rotor and control a position of the rotor about the rotational axis. A bladed turbomachine wheel is coupled to the rotor and has blade tips that pass closely to an adjacent, non-rotating surface. A sensor is adjacent to the turbomachine wheel and arranged to sense the blade tips and output a position signal representative of the position of blade tips relative to the sensor. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the actuator and is adapted to receive the position signal from the sensor and generate and send a control signal to the actuator to control the position of the rotor based on the position signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a body and first and second poles residing apart from the body. The first and second poles communicate magnetic flux across a gap with opposing end facing surfaces of the body. The body, the first pole, and the second pole are magnetically coupled and define an axial magnetic control circuit. A plurality of radial poles reside apart from the body, adjacent a lateral facing surface of the body, and communicate magnetic fluxes with the lateral facing surface. The body and the plurality of radial poles define a plurality of radial magnetic control circuits. The plurality of radial poles communicate magnetic fluxes with the lateral facing surface and at least one of the first pole or the second pole, and 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: The present disclosure describes a mechanical backup bearing system arrangement to work in conjunction with non-contact magnetic bearings and capable of coping with thermal expansions of the bearing components during operations. Expansions or contractions of an inner or outer race of a bearing can be compensated using particular springs providing a low profile and a proper stiffness. An electric machine system includes a rotational portion and a stationary portion. The electric machine further includes a magnetic bearing configured to support the rotational portion to rotate within the stationary portion. A mechanical back-up bearing resides in a cavity between the rotational portion and the stationary portion. A flat spring is carried by the stationary portion and abutting the back-up bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electric generator having a stator and a rotor. A turbine is coupled to an end of the rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. The turbine may rotate in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine. The apparatus also includes a housing assembly with an inwardly oriented shroud, which is located at close proximity to the turbine. The proximity of the shroud to the turbine establishes the pressure ratio of the turbine, allowing the system to operate without seals. Magnetic bearings and position sensors are used to maintain the distance between the shroud and the wheel. In certain implementations, the positioning of the turbine can be controlled to optimize machine performance.

Abstract: A machine includes a rotor supported to rotate about a rotational axis and an actuator arranged to act on the rotor and control a position of the rotor about the rotational axis. A bladed turbomachine wheel is coupled to the rotor and has blade tips that pass closely to an adjacent, non-rotating surface. A sensor is adjacent to the turbomachine wheel and arranged to sense the blade tips and output a position signal representative of the position of blade tips relative to the sensor. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the actuator and is adapted to receive the position signal from the sensor and generate and send a control signal to the actuator to control the position of the rotor based on the position signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electric generator having a stator and a rotor. A turbine is coupled to an end of the rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. The turbine may rotate in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine. The apparatus also includes a housing assembly with an inwardly oriented shroud, which is located at close proximity to the turbine. The proximity of the shroud to the turbine establishes the pressure ratio of the turbine, allowing the system to operate without seals. Magnetic bearings and position sensors are used to maintain the distance between the shroud and the wheel. In certain implementations, the positioning of the turbine can be controlled to optimize machine performance.

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 includes a body and first and second poles residing apart from the body. The first and second poles communicate magnetic flux across a gap with opposing end facing surfaces of the body. The body, the first pole, and the second pole are magnetically coupled and define an axial magnetic control circuit. A plurality of radial poles reside apart from the body, adjacent a lateral facing surface of the body, and communicate magnetic fluxes with the lateral facing surface. The body and the plurality of radial poles define a plurality of radial magnetic control circuits. The plurality of radial poles communicate magnetic fluxes with the lateral facing surface and at least one of the first pole or the second pole, and 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: Certain effects of pipe organ wind regulators and conductors, as well as certain effects of acoustic coupling of pipes within pipe organs are emulated in an electronic musical instrument. Digital signal processing is used to model the behavior of a pipe organ wind regulating and distributing system as a damped oscillator to which an input disturbance signal is applied. The disturbance signal is derived from the combined on or off state of notes associated with voice generators responsive to the model output. The output is further processed and used to control the absolute pitch of the voice generators. Response controllers regulate the response of the generators individually. By varying the response characteristic of each voice, the relative pitches of the voices diverge as more notes are played, achieving a psychoacoustic effect similar to the detuning produced by wind pressure variations and acoustic coupling among speaking pipes of a pipe organ.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator (10) having a casing (12) defining a precipitation chamber (6) wherein a plurality of discharge electrode subassemblies (32) are disposed alternately between a plurality of collecting electrode plates (20). Each discharge electrode subassembly (32) is comprised of a plurality of individual tubular discharge electrodes (50) extending vertically between support frame members. Each tubular discharge electrode (50) is comprised of a vertically elongated tubular member (54) having an elliptical cross-section disposed with the longer axis of the ellipse perpendicular to the collecting electrode plates and the shorter axis of the ellipse parallel to the collecting electrode plates. A plurality of corona discharge pins (52) are disposed along the length of the discharge electrodes at spaced intervals and extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the tubular member (54) at an acute angle preferably in the range of at least 45 degrees to not more than 60 degrees.

Abstract: A right-angle connector for a printed circuit board is disclosed. The connector contacts have tails that are bent at a right angle. A retainer plate is removably mounted on the housing of the connector. The plate embodies openings through which the bent tails of the contacts extend for positioning the tails in a predetermined pattern. The plate also embodies a row of spaced fingers which cooperate with shoulders on the contacts to releasably retain the contacts inside the connector housing.