Magnetic Bearing Patents (Class 310/90.5)
  • Patent number: 10371152
    Abstract: A blood pump system includes a pump housing and an impeller for rotating in a pump chamber within the housing. The impeller has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The system includes a stator having drive coils for applying a torque to the impeller and at least one bearing mechanism for suspending the impeller within the pump chamber. The system includes a position control mechanism for moving the impeller in an axial direction within the pump chamber to adjust a size of a first gap and a size of a second gap, thereby controlling a washout rate at each of the first gap and the second gap. The first gap is defined by a distance between the first side and the housing and the second gap is defined by a distance between the second side and the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Masamichi Yanai, Shunzhou Yu, Tao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10367405
    Abstract: A vertically mounted and magnetically driven power generation apparatus has multiple shelves vertically arranged and spaced apart. Each shelf has a through hole tapering downwards. A spindle is mounted through the multiple through holes. A motor driving the spindle and a primary power generator driven by the spindle and located below the motor are mounted around the spindle. Because of the weight of the primary power generator, adding additional weight is not need. A magnetic driven member is mounted around the spindle and located within a corresponding through hole. Multiple magnetic drive assemblies are mounted on inner walls of the multiple through holes. Each magnetic driven member is subject to forces of magnetic repulsion caused by first and second magnetic drive members of a corresponding magnetic drive assembly for the spindle to be rotated under a friction-free condition to enhance torque and rotation speed of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Shou-Cheng Wong
  • Patent number: 10359047
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnet for a magnetic bearing arrangement, a bearing arrangement comprising said magnet, and a vacuum pump comprising said bearing arrangement. In particular the invention can be particularly useful in a magnetic bearing arrangement that reduces stray magnetic fields for a turbomolecular vacuum pump, although it is understood that the invention is not limited to this field and other applications will be understood by the skilled person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Waye, Barrie Dudley Brewster
  • Patent number: 10359046
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic bearing device which allows easy initial adjustment and allows optimal bearing control to be performed by a simple algorithm without increasing a memory capacity of a controller. A pair of square multipliers and an adder acquire respective steady-state current values of a pair of electromagnets which attract a rotor shaft of a magnetic bearing not shown in opposite radial directions, square the respective steady-state current values, and add up the respective squared steady-state current values. Then, to optimally change respective currents in the electromagnets in accordance with a mounting posture of the magnetic bearing, a correction coefficient arithmetic operator calculates a correction gain instruction value acting on the electromagnets from the steady-state current values squared/added up. Then, a gain instruction value obtained by adding the correction gain instruction value to a fundamental gain of a control circuit for the electromagnets is input to a gain amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Japan Limited
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 10328436
    Abstract: A magnet apparatus for generating a high gradient and/or high strength magnetic field, comprises: two permanent magnets (2, 4) located side-by-side with oppositely oriented magnetic field polarities and end surfaces of opposite polarities next to one another, wherein the magnetic anisotropy of the magnets exceeds the magnetic induction of the material of the magnets; and a mask (6) or masks (6) on a first end of each of the adjacent permanent magnets (2, 4), the mask(s) 6 comprising a non-retentive material covering adjacent end surfaces of the two permanent magnets (2, 4) with a gap (8) along a joining line between the two permanent magnets (2, 4) to form a zone of high-gradient magnetic field above the joining line; wherein the mask(s) (6) are embedded within the magnets (2, 4) and/or have a varying thickness and wherein the mask(s) (6) each have a maximum thickness greater than a tenth of the thickness of the respective magnet (2, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Giamag Technologies AS
    Inventor: Henrik Høyer
  • Patent number: 10326332
    Abstract: An electric machine, for example, a motor, is provided. The machine or motor includes a stator, a rotor, at least one main bearing for supporting the rotor relative to the stator in a main range of speeds and at least one secondary bearing suitable for supporting the rotor relative to the stator when the first main bearing is faulty. Each secondary bearing is a passive electrodynamic bearing and includes at least one permanent magnet and a moveable electric conductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Xavier De Lepine
  • Patent number: 10305348
    Abstract: A vertical magnetic transmission assembly includes a shelf, a transmission shaft, multiple magnetic modules and a weight. The shelf has multiple boards disposed along a longitudinal direction of the shelf. The magnetic modules are respectively mounted in multiple through holes formed in the boards. The transmission shaft with the weight rotates along the longitudinal direction of the shelf without friction by magnetic force between the magnetic modules and the magnets of transmission shaft. Therefore, the rotation speed or the torsion of the transmission shaft will be increased in use. An energy-saving generator is further combined with the vertical magnetic transmission assembly to reduce the energy loss in the energy transfer process and to save energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Shou-Cheng Wong
  • Patent number: 10298097
    Abstract: An electromechanical machine includes at least one coil made from a material that becomes electrically superconducting when its temperature is below a critical temperature. A functional part is contained in an internal volume of a thermally insulating and fluid-tight enclosure of the machine. A wall of the insulating enclosure is traversed in a fluid-tight fashion by at least one shaft for transmitting mechanical power between the functional part located in the internal volume of the insulating enclosure and a space outside the insulating enclosure. The functional part can be used as a heat sink, pre-cooled to maintain the temperature conditions for maintaining superconductivity inside the insulating enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS
    Inventors: Hichem Smaoui, Charles Nespoulous, Bruno Rechain, Emmanuel Joubert
  • Patent number: 10286514
    Abstract: A spindle condition detection device for a machine tool includes: bearing load detecting means for detecting a load on a bearing that rotatably supports a spindle of a machine tool; and present usage ratio calculating means for calculating, based on the load detected by the bearing load detecting means, a present usage ratio that is a ratio of usage of the bearing with respect to a prescribed operating life of the bearing, which is achieved over a period until a present moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Hasegawa, Koji Kito, Takashi Matsui, Nobumitsu Hori, Osamu Higashimoto
  • Patent number: 10280928
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for a chiller includes a casing, an inlet guide vane, an impeller downstream of the inlet guide vane, a rotational magnetic bearing, a magnetic bearing sensor, a motor, a diffuser and a controller. The casing has inlet and outlet portions with the inlet guide vane disposed in the inlet portion. The impeller is attached to a shaft. The radial magnetic bearing rotatably supports the shaft. The magnetic bearing sensor detects at least one of a position signal indicative of the shaft's position and a current signal indicative of current supplied to the magnetic bearing. The motor rotates the shaft in order to rotate the impeller. The diffuser is disposed in the outlet portion downstream from the impeller. An outlet port of the outlet portion is disposed between the impeller and the diffuser. The controller is programmed to predict surge based on the position signal and/or the current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DAIKIN APPLIED AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Md Anwar Hossain, Nobuhiro Umeda, Takatoshi Takigawa
  • Patent number: 10260558
    Abstract: A rotary machine provides a stator having a stator casing, and a rotor shaft having a rotational axis and supported in the stator casing by at least one radial magnetic bearing. The rotary machine further provides an axial mechanical thrust bearing being disposed proximate a radial surface of one end of the rotor shaft, the axial mechanical thrust bearing, including a rolling element located on the rotational axis of the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SKF Magnetic Mechatronics
    Inventors: Ulrich Schroeder, Eduardo Carrasco
  • Patent number: 10253809
    Abstract: A shaft control method and device for a magnetic suspension system. The shaft control method for the magnetic suspension system includes: acquiring a displacement signal obtained by detecting displacement of a shaft in the magnetic suspension system (Step 101); separating whirling displacement from the displacement signal (Step 102); and controlling whirling of the shaft according to the whirling displacement (Step 103). By the disclosure, the effect of suppressing the whirling of the shaft during high-speed rotation of the magnetic suspension system is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: GREEN REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER OF ZHUHAI GREE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Huang, Yusheng Hu, Dongsuo Chen, Yan Li, Weilin Guo, Daofu Hu
  • Patent number: 10241159
    Abstract: A method for determining a magnetic vector field in a predetermined area, the method comprising: determining distribution data comprising values of a first of three components of a magnetic field along a first direction, for a predetermined area defined on a predetermined surface, the predetermined surface being defined by a second and a third direction, wherein the first, second and third directions constitute an orthogonal set of axes; determining distribution data comprising values of the second and the third component of the magnetic field in the second and the third direction respectively, for the predetermined area defined in the predetermined surface; wherein determining distribution data comprising values of the second and the third component is based on making use of intrinsic physical relations between the first, second and third components of the magnetic field distribution; and associated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MAGCAM NV
    Inventors: Koen Vervaeke, Lieven Philips
  • Patent number: 10232275
    Abstract: A yo-yo having improved spin time is disclosed. The yo-yo has a body comprising two side members joined together at their centers by a fixed axle. A yoke for receiving a string in winding relation is magnetically supported for substantially frictionless rotation about the axle. A pair of radially-magnetized ring magnets disposed at opposite ends of the yoke are received within a corresponding pair of radially-magnetized ring magnets disposed within recesses in the side members. A pair of axially-magnetized ring magnets disposed at opposite ends of the yoke confront a corresponding pair of axially-disposed ring magnets set into the body side members. The magnets are magnetically polarized such that they mutually repel each other. As a result, the yo-yo is free to spin around the yoke for an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Theiner
  • Patent number: 10224771
    Abstract: Circulating currents are suppressed and thermal losses are reduced in a three-phase permanent-magnet-excited synchronous machine in a delta circuit. The machine has a stator in which, during operation, a voltage is induced by way of a magnetic field generated by magnetic poles of a rotor. A field strength of the magnetic field has, along a circumferential coordinate of the rotor, a profile formed from superimposition of a sinusoidal basic function and of sinusoidal harmonics of the basic function. Groove recesses and/or cavities are located in and/or under a circumferential face of the rotor that face the stator and follow an axial extent of the pole pitch of the rotor in their longitudinal extent and extend transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent along the circumferential coordinate in the region of the maximum values of at least the third harmonic and outside the maximum values of the basic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hauke Einfeld, Rainer Helmer
  • Patent number: 10220479
    Abstract: Provided is a machining apparatus capable of improving the positioning accuracy of a machining tool as compared to conventional machines. A machining apparatus 1 includes a rotating tool, a machining tool provided on an outer periphery of the rotating tool, and a spindle head adapted to rotatably support the rotating tool. The machining apparatus includes a driving portion configured to move the spindle head in a direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation R of the rotating tool, a position sensor configured to measure a position of the spindle head on a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation R, and a control unit configured to control the driving portion so as to move the machining tool in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation R of the rotating tool on the basis of the position of the spindle head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Nonaka
  • Patent number: 10218294
    Abstract: A magnetic bearing assembly (20) comprises a first magnet assembly (34) for generating a first quadrupole magnetic field in a first plane and a second magnet assembly (36) for generating a second quadrupole magnetic field in a second plane. The second plane is arranged parallel to the first plane. The quadrupole magnetic fields exhibit in each case in the planes magnetic field axes arranged at an angle to one another between four poles. A longitudinal axis (A) is defined at right angles hereto by the centers of the quadrupole magnetic fields. At least one diamagnetic element (44) is arranged on the longitudinal axis (A). The first and second magnet assemblies (34, 36) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the first and the second quadrupole magnetic fields are rotated towards one another about the longitudinal axis (A) by an angular amount which is not a whole-number multiple of 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Cornelia Will
  • Patent number: 10208760
    Abstract: A controller for a rotary machine includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to store operating modes of the controller. The operating modes include a normal operating mode and a fault tolerant operating mode. The controller is configured to receive a signal from at least one sensor and determine an operating state of the rotary machine based on the signal. The controller is also configured to switch the operating modes based on the determined operating state of the rotary machine and regulate at least one electromagnetic bearing and at least one flow control device. The controller is further configured to adjust at least one of the at least one electromagnetic bearing and the at least one flow control device in the fault tolerant operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rosa Castane Selga, Mohamed Osama, Thomas Alban, Massimiliano Ortiz Neri
  • Patent number: 10209098
    Abstract: A radial position sensor that measures a radial position of a rotor within a stator is provided. The radial position sensor provides measures the radial position of the rotor along a first axis radial to a rotation axis of the rotor and along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The radial position sensor includes four magnetic poles, among which two poles are diametrically opposed along the first axis and two other poles are diametrically opposed along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SKF Magnetic Mechatronics
    Inventors: Yves Dupuis, Joaquim Da Silva
  • Patent number: 10190487
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable inlet device of a compressor. In one example, a compressor may include the variable inlet device arranged within an inlet conduit of the compressor. The variable inlet device may be adjustable to control the gas flow through the compressor, the variable inlet including a pair of semi-cylindrical shells that are pivotable, about a set of hinges, between an open and closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Leon Hu
  • Patent number: 10180445
    Abstract: An accelerometer includes a first stator, a second stator, a proof mass assembly disposed between the first stator and second stator, and a controller. The first stator includes a first magnet and the second stator includes a second magnet. The proof mass assembly includes a first coil configured to receive a first amount of current and a second coil configured to receive a second amount of current. The controller is configured to distribute the first amount of current to the first coil and the second amount of current to the second coil. The first amount of current is different than the second amount of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Dwyer, Arthur Savchenko
  • Patent number: 10180163
    Abstract: By employing a combination of magnetic forces and those from electrostatic fields, a new stabilizer is able, unlike those employing dynamic effects, to function at any speed with no need for sensors or dynamically generated electrical currents. Embodiments are provided that stabilize the radial, axial and tilt instability. In addition to its use for stabilization, the radial stabilizer described herein also functions as an eccentricity detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Richard F Post
  • Patent number: 10174762
    Abstract: An electric stator surrounds a rotor and is configured to cause the rotor to rotate or generate electricity in the electric stator when the rotor rotates. The electric stator is spaced from the rotor and defines a first annular fluid gap in-between that is in fluid communication with an outside environment exterior the electric machine. A radial bearing includes a first portion coupled to the rotor and a second portion coupled to the electric stator. The first portion is spaced from the second portion defining a second annular fluid gap in-between that is in fluid communication with the outside environment exterior the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian, David Biddick
  • Patent number: 10167871
    Abstract: A rotor is surrounded by a stator. A radial bearing includes a first radial bearing portion coupled to the rotor and a second radial bearing portion coupled to the stator. A thrust-bearing includes a first portion coupled to the rotor. The first portion is spaced from a second portion coupled to the stator defining a first annular fluid gap in-between that is in fluid communication with an outside environment exterior the downhole-type machine. The thrust bearing is configured to support an axial load of the rotor within the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
  • Patent number: 10166318
    Abstract: A rotary machine is provided which may include a rotor and a stator within a housing. The stator may be for generating a rotating magnetic field for applying a torque to the rotor. A commutator circuit may provide a plurality of phase voltages to the stator, and a controller may adjust the plurality of phase voltages provided by the commutator circuit to modify an attractive force of the stator on the rotor to move the rotor in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Shunzhou Yu, Alexander Medvedev, Ren You
  • Patent number: 10150500
    Abstract: A vibration absorber comprising a supporting device, an oscillating mass, at least one coil device, and at least on permanent magnet device. The coil device includes at least one winding. A permanent magnet of the permanent magnet device generates a magnetic field extending through a yoke device of the permanent magnet device and through a part of the windings such that when current flows through the windings in a suitable manner, two forces are generated that act between the supporting device and the permanent magnet device and include an angle unequal to 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: VIBRACOUSTIC GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Eckel, Niklas Mueller
  • Patent number: 10141767
    Abstract: A microprojection device and a magnetic suspension base are provided. The microprojection device comprises a microprojector and a main suspension magnet. The microprojector is fixed to the main suspension magnet. The magnetic field direction at a magnetic field center of the main suspension magnet is in the vertical direction so the microprojector can be driven to be suspended in a magnetic field environment. The magnetic suspension base comprises: a housing and at least three base magnets disposed therein. The magnetic field direction at the center of a combined magnetic field formed by the at least three base magnets is in the vertical direction; the magnetic intensity at the center of the combined magnetic field is less than the magnetic intensity near the base magnets; and the microprojector can be driven to be suspended under the magnetic field environment by being fixed on the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xuewen Lv
  • Patent number: 10125814
    Abstract: A magnetic bearing retains a rotatable shaft in a selected position by magnetic coupling between a circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays. Each magnetic coupling completes a magnetic circuit. The magnet arrays focus magnetic flux towards the circular magnet to facilitate magnetic coupling. Magnet arrays configured in Halbach series may be employed. Magnet arrays configured as electromagnets may also be employed. The shaft may be attached either to the circular magnet or the magnet arrays. Shaft rotation does not affect the magnetic circuit, but axial displacement of the shaft disrupts the magnetic circuit and increases magnetic reluctance. Increasing magnetic reluctance inhibits axial displacement. The shaft thereby supports a load while rotating freely, constrained to a selected position by forces of magnetic reluctance. A centering bearing may be employed to maintain gap distance between circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Raymond James Walsh
  • Patent number: 10119524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for accumulating inertial energy having a rotor chamber in housing, a rotor in the rotor chamber having a first end face and a substantially opposite second end face, the rotor being mounted, so that it can be displaced and rotate relative to the housing leaving free a gap between the outer rotor perimeter and the inner perimeter of the rotor chamber, wherein a seal is provided in said gap separating a first section of the rotor chamber and a second section of the rotor chamber, exposing means; creating a differential pressure over the rotor for levitation thereof, wherein the device further comprises stabilizing means for counteracting vibration of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: S4 Energy B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Teerlink
  • Patent number: 10118716
    Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic machine includes a first structure, a second structure, and a control. The first structure is configured to rotate about a spin axis and about a tilt axis that is perpendicular to the spin axis, and includes a first spin conductor, a second spin conductor, and a tilt conductor, which together form a general shape of a surface. The second structure is disposed adjacent to the first structure and includes a plurality of magnets. The control is configured to controllably supply alternating current (AC) to the first and second spin conductors and direct current (DC) to the tilt conductor, wherein the first structure continuously rotates about the spin axis in response to the AC being supplied to the first and second spin conductors, and rotates about the tilt axis to a tilt position in response to the DC being supplied to the tilt conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Pablo Bandera
  • Patent number: 10090784
    Abstract: An electric hand tool is provided. The electric hand tool receives a shutdown signal issued by a shutdown element under control during an operation process of the electric hand tool, so as to request a driving module to stop providing a driving signal to a plurality of coils provided at the electric motor, and to conduct a brake loop connected to the coils and the driving module. Thus, a short circuit is formed between the coils and the driving module to cause the electric motor to temporarily enter a power generating state to generate a sensing current. The coils receive the sensing current to establish a first magnetic field. The first magnetic field interferes with a second magnetic field produced by a plurality of permanent magnets to form an interfering repulsive force that stops the rotor from rotating, thereby achieving an object of braking promptly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: X'POLE PRECISION TOOLS INC.
    Inventor: Bach Pangho Chen
  • Patent number: 10077805
    Abstract: A superconductor-magnet bearing system can include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion. One of the first and second bearing portions can be at least partially composed of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) and another can be at least partially composed of a magnet. The first bearing portion can be disposed at least partially within an opening of the second bearing portion with a gap between the first and second portions. A magnetic bearing portion can include a plurality of rings disposed next to one another. An HTS bearing portion can include a magnet. The bearing portions can be biased toward an alignment with one another. One bearing portion can rotate relative to another bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: REVTERRA CORPORATION
    Inventor: BenMaan I. Jawdat
  • Patent number: 10060474
    Abstract: A radial magnetic bearing may include an annular housing including a radial outer wall disposed between radially outer ends of two annular axial end plates and an isolation sleeve which may include a helical arrangement of a plurality of ferromagnetic wires. The isolation sleeve may be an annular structure extending axially between the two annular axial end plates, and the isolation sleeve and the annular housing may define an isolation cavity therebetween. The radial magnetic bearing may also include an isolation sleeve retainer configured to maintain a position of the isolation sleeve between the two annular axial end plates. The radial magnetic bearing may further include a plurality of laminations disposed adjacent the isolation sleeve and about a shaft of the rotating machine. A gap may be defined between the plurality of laminations and the isolation sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Joseph A. Tecza
  • Patent number: 10060843
    Abstract: A method and a device for the measurement of fluid-mechanically effective parameters of a fluid, with a fluid pump which comprises a delivery element (2) which is mounted in a magnet bearing (10, 10a, 11, 11a), according to the invention, envisages the delivery element (2) of the fluid pump being excited into an oscillation by way of an excitation device (16, 44), wherein the oscillation parameters as well as, as the case may be, the oscillation behavior is measured, and parameters of the fluid are determined from this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Berlin Heart GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Graichen, Andreas Arndt, Peter Nuesser
  • Patent number: 10050530
    Abstract: A semi-resonant voltage converter has a synchronous rectification (SR) switch through which a half-cycle sinusoidal-like current is conducted when turned on. An embodiment of a method of controlling operation of the semi-resonant voltage converter includes switching the SR switch and other switches of the semi-resonant voltage converter via a linear controller so as to supply output power to a load, the semi-resonant voltage converter having a DC gain that increases when load current increases, and scaling downward an output of the linear controller used to control the switching of the SR switch responsive to the load current exceeding a first threshold, so as to at least partly counteract an increase in the DC gain of the semi-resonant voltage converter. Other control adaptation methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventors: Amir Babazadeh, Venkat Sreenivas
  • Patent number: 10030702
    Abstract: A magnetic bearing, adapted to equip a rotary apparatus. The magnetic bearing comprises: an actuator sub-assembly provided with a magnetic base and at least three actuator bobbins mounted on the magnetic base, and a sensor sub-assembly provided with at least three magnetic sensors associated with the actuator bobbins. At least one sub-assembly amidst the actuator sub-assembly and the sensor sub-assembly comprises at least three sectors mounted together. Each sector includes at least one actuator bobbin when the sector belongs to the actuator sub-assembly, or at least one magnetic sensor when the sector belongs to the sensor sub-assembly. The invention also concerns a rotary apparatus comprising such a magnetic bearing and a method for manufacturing such a magnetic bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SKF MAGNETIC MECHATRONICS
    Inventors: Yvon Baucé, Francis Bienaime, Eduardo Carrasco
  • Patent number: 10030701
    Abstract: The magnetic bearings make use of magnet assemblies with a high magnetic field gradient. The magnet assemblies use two permanent magnets with opposite polarization in a Kittel open domain structure. The basic factor of magnetic separation is the magnetic force, which acts on a particle of the substance and which is proportional to the magnetic susceptibility of the substance, the value of the magnetic induction B and the value of the gradient ?B of the applied magnetic field. Therefore, increasing the sensitivity and selectivity of magnetic separation will require use of the highest possible values of magnetic induction B and magnetic field gradient ?B, or their united factor—the product B?B. The magnetic assembly have repulsive magnetic systems each having two juxtaposed permanent magnets 2, 4 with opposite magnetization in the form of a Kittel open domain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GIAMAG TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Geir Helgesen, Arne Skjeltorp
  • Patent number: 10027202
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus comprising at least one magnet, the magnet or magnets being arranged to form a substantially cylindrical rotor about an axle; at least one electrically-conductive pickup arranged, in use, such that rotation of the magnet or magnets about the axle induces an electrical current in the pickup; a guide or drive means along which, in use, the axle rolls to rotate the magnet; and means for moving the guide means to cause the axle to roll along it; and wherein the at least one electrically-conductive pickup is fixed relative to a stator, which stator at least partially surrounds the rotor and is rotatably connected to the axle such that the rotor and stator move in unison relative to the guide means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Russell Dolman
  • Patent number: 10018524
    Abstract: A load determining system having a sensorized rolling element bearing in a hub unit for wheels. The bearing includes a first ring and a second ring as an inner and outer ring. The first and second ring may be the inner ring, the other ring being the outer ring. The system includes at least two magnetic sensors attached to the first ring interact with a target wheel attached to the second ring. The system includes a signal processing unit configured to receive the magnetic sensor output of the at least one magnetic sensor, to determine at least axial forces acting on the bearing based on the amplitude of the magnetic sensor output and to calculate averages value of the outputs of the at least two magnetic sensors and to calculate a logarithm of a ratio of the average values to determine a load acting on the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Hendrik Anne Mol
  • Patent number: 10006489
    Abstract: A method for compensating at least one low-frequency mechanical disturbance oscillation, which is caused in a rotor of an active magnetic bearing by the action of a disturbance force on the rotor is provided. The mechanical disturbance oscillation has a disturbance oscillation frequency below a rotational frequency of the rotor. The method includes the following steps: a) analyzing the low-frequency mechanical disturbance oscillation, b) determining a compensation force for producing in the rotor a mechanical compensation force that counteracts the mechanical disturbance oscillation, and c) applying the compensation force to the rotor, wherein steps a), b), and c) are performed by means of at least one compensation control circuit of the active magnetic bearing that is decoupled from a magnetic-bearing control circuit for controlling the active magnetic bearing. The invention further relates to a corresponding active magnetic bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Norbert Wagner
  • Patent number: 10006446
    Abstract: The present invention is a spacecraft electromagnetic propulsion system which provides thrust without expelling propellant. The system includes a multi-element capacitor with rotating segmented cathodes, and electromagnetic coils for generating magnetic fields. Interactions between the electromagnetic fields and the rotating charged capacitor elements produce unidirectional forces, while reaction momentum is carried away by the Poynting Vector fields in conformity with the currently understood principles of modern physics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: James Wayne Purvis
  • Patent number: 10001165
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thrust magnetic bearing for bias compensation, and more particularly, to a thrust magnetic bearing for bias compensation in which annular permanent magnets and electromagnets are disposed to face each other with respect to a levitated member and the permanent magnets are formed to be asymmetrical in lengths thereof in an axial direction to thus exert an attractive force for compensating for a bias by the difference in the lengths of the permanent magnets in the axial direction to compensate for the bias, and a current supply for bias magnetic flux is not required, saving energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Cheol-hoon Park, Sang-Kyu Choi, Sang-Yong Ham
  • Patent number: 9976360
    Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a magnetorheological fluid valve assembly having a supply of a magnetorheological fluid. A remanent magnetic field is induced in the valve during operation that can be used to provide the magnetic field for operating the valve so as to eliminate the need to energize the coils except temporarily when changing the amount of damping required. The current to be supplied to the coil for inducing a desired magnetic field in the valve is determined based on the limiting hysteresis curve of the valve and the history of the magnetization of the value using a binary search methodology. The history of the magnetization of the valve is expressed as a series of sets of current and it resulting magnetization at which the current experienced a reversal compared to prior values of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: APS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Ellsworth Wassell, Daniel E. Burgess, Jason R. Barbely, Fred Lamar Thompson
  • Patent number: 9976933
    Abstract: A bearing monitoring system for an air cycle machine includes a housing. Also included is a compressor disposed within the housing. Further included is a turbine disposed within the housing. Yet further included is an axial shaft operatively coupled to the compressor and the turbine, the axial shaft disposed within the housing and between a first plurality of bearings. Also included is a radial shaft extending from the axial shaft, the radial shaft disposed within the housing and between a second plurality of bearings. Further included is at least one sensor mounted to the housing and oriented to monitor deflection of the radial shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, Christopher McAuliffe
  • Patent number: 9964146
    Abstract: A magnetic bearing which would reduce a leakage magnetic flux to be generated between teeth is provided. A predetermined one of its teeth (24) is configured so that a pitch (P1) between the predetermined tooth (24) and one of two adjacent teeth (24) that are located on clockwise and counterclockwise sides thereof in the circumferential direction is broader than a pitch (P2) between the predetermined tooth (24) and the other tooth (24) and that a magnetic flux flows in the same radial direction through the predetermined tooth (24) and the tooth (24) spaced from the predetermined tooth (24) by the narrower pitch (P1) but flows in two different radial directions through the predetermined tooth (24) and the tooth (24) spaced from the predetermined tooth (24) by the broader pitch (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Irino, Yuji Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9951682
    Abstract: A compressor for an internal combustion engine is provided. The compressor includes a compressor shaft having compressor blades attached thereto, positioned in an intake air duct, and rotating about an axis during compressor operation and a magnetic bearing positioned upstream of the compressor blades in the intake air duct, including a ring positioned around the compressor shaft, stator electrics arranged in the ring, and at least two magnets arranged on the compressor shaft configured to exert a magnetic force on the stator electrics to form an air gap between the ring and the compressor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Joerg Kemmerling, Frank Kraemer, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Patent number: 9943699
    Abstract: A reconfigurable magnetic therapy apparatus is formed by multiple magnetic magnetic components which are maintained in a stable planar array by either mutual magnetic attraction or mechanical fixtures which may include a ferromagnetic backing plate to which the elements are magnetically attached. The array can be separated and reconfigured by the user to provide different magnetic patterns that favor either high surface strength, or deep penetration, or multiple smaller sub arrays to treat multiple sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: James J. Souder
  • Patent number: 9945417
    Abstract: A method for correcting variations of parameters of components of an active magnetic bearing and/or assembly of active magnetic bearing as a whole, the active magnetic bearing includes a memory (M) to store values of production and/or electrical and/or installation variations of at least one component of the active magnetic bearing and/or variations of the whole active magnetic bearing assembly and/or correction values formed from the variations, the memory (M), a control system and/or detectors (D) of output signal of sensors (A) of the position and/or the evaluation circuits being interconnected or interconnectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: RIETER CZ S.R.O.
    Inventors: Milan Moravec, Miroslav Stusak, Jiri Sloupensky
  • Patent number: 9944432
    Abstract: A vessel for storing an object, comprising an electrically insulating container, intended to contain the object and an electrically conductive layer, arranged on a surface of the container. There is a control circuit including an electrically conductive detection element, electrically insulated from the conductive layer and capacitively coupled to the conductive layer. The control circuit is configured to measure the capacitance formed between the conductive layer and an electrically charged object brought close to the conductive layer and to generate a control signal dependent on the measured capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Jean-François Mainguet, Gorka Arrizabalaga, Miguel Aubouy
  • Patent number: 9926976
    Abstract: A thrust bearing comprises an electromagnetic stator with a stator surface and a rotor disk with a rotor surface facing the stator surface. The rotor disk comprises a radially inner portion made of a first material directly and exclusively connected to a radially outer portion made of a second material. The first material is a corrosion resistant metal or metal alloy and the second material is a ferromagnetic metal or metal alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: Andrea Masala, Eugenio Giorni, Massimo Camatti, Michelangelo Bellacci