Abstract: The present invention is a device for monitoring a lifetime of fan bearings, which is applied to a fan, comprising a base, at least one sensing unit, a processing unit, and a control plate. The base has a bearing sleeve receiving bearings. The sensing unit is selectively disposed on the bearing sleeve or on the bearing. The processing unit generates an informing signal based on comparison of a received temperature sensed signal generated by the sensing unit sensing the bearing temperature and an internal predetermined temperature value. By means of the device design of the present invention, the effects of effectively monitoring the bearings and predicting the remaining lifetime can be achieved.

Abstract: A magnetically suspended and plane-drove vibration isolator with zero stiffness comprises an upper mounting plate, a lower mounting plate and a main body. A sleeve of the main body is lubricated and supported against the lower mounting plate by a magnetically suspended planar motor. A piston cylinder fitted in the sleeve is lubricated against the sleeve by a cylindrical air bearing surface. The angle degree of freedom between the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate is decoupled by a spherical air bearing. A position close-loop control system is formed to precisely control the relative position between the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate.

Abstract: A method for self-aligning diamagnetic materials includes contacting first and second magnets together other along a contact line so as to generate a diametric magnetization that is perpendicular to the contact line. A diamagnetic rod is positioned with respect to the first and second magnets to levitate above the contact line of the first and second magnets.

Abstract: A magnetically suspended vibration isolator with zero stiffness whose angle degree of freedom is decoupled with a joint ball bearing has a main body, in which a sleeve and a lower mounting plate are supported with a magnetically suspended thrust bearing, a piston cylinder and the sleeve are lubricated and supported with a cylinder air bearing surface, and the angle degree of freedom between a upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate is decoupled with a joint ball bearing; a position close-loop control system comprising voice coil motors, displacement sensors, limit switches, a controller and a driver is introduced, and the relative position between the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate is precisely controlled.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fishing reel wherein a bearing rotatably supporting a drive shaft securely shuts out water from its interior so as to maintain stable sealing and thus smooth rotation for a long period wherein such a bearing can be readily built in. In accordance with one aspect, the fishing reel of the present invention includes a drive shaft to be rotationally driven for winding a fishing line around a spool. The drive shaft is rotationally supported by a magnetic fluid sealed bearing having an inner ring magnetic fluid retained between an inner ring and a polar plate retaining a magnet and/or between the inner ring and the magnet, and an outer ring magnetic fluid retained between an outer ring and the polar plate retaining the magnet and/or between the outer ring and the magnet.

Abstract: A method for controlling a gas compressor is disclosed. The method includes communicating feedback data about two magnetic bearings to a computer including a multi-core processor via a communication link. The method also includes processing the feedback data about the two magnetic bearings where the feedback data for each of the two magnetic bearings is processed on separate cores of the multi-core processor in parallel and issuing a bearing control command to each of the two magnetic bearings in response to the feedback data. The method further includes communicating the bearing control commands to the two magnetic bearings from the computer via the communication link.

Abstract: A bearing monitoring system is provided including one or more bearings within a flow passage and a working fluid passing over at least one surface of the bearings. A first thermocouple is located in the flow passage upstream relative to the one or more bearings and configured to measure a first temperature of the working fluid and a second thermocouple is located in the flow passage downstream relative to the one or more bearings and configured to measure a second temperature of the working fluid. The system further includes a control device in communication with the first thermocouple and the second thermocouple, and configured to compute a temperature gradient across the one or more bearings from the first temperature and the second temperature, compare the temperature gradient against a known value, and if the temperature gradient exceeds the known value, the control device is configured to provide an alert.

Abstract: A magnetic thrust bearing for use in a device for relatively free rotational movement of a first part relative to a second part includes axial and laterally spaced magnets. Each magnet has a magnetic field of force with opposing poles and a transition section which converges to a transition line. Axial magnets are spaced on an axis of the first part of the device and lateral magnets are arranged on the second part of the device. The lateral magnets operating in units, having paired lateral magnets positioned on opposite sides of the axis with each of the paired magnets having an equal length and equal gap or space from the axis. Axial magnets have an alternating polar orientation such that the nearest magnetic poles of adjacent axial magnets are repelling, and the distance between transition lines of the axial magnets is substantially equal to the length of the lateral magnets.

Abstract: A magnetic gear arrangement is provided having a magnetically active gear member that generates a first magnetic field, which is modulated by interpoles. The modulated magnetic field generates magnetic poles on a magnetically passive gear member, and these poles form a second magnetic field. The material of the passive gear member is sufficiently magnetically hard that the first and second magnetic fields interact to couple the motion of the active and passive gear members according to a given gear ratio.

Abstract: The core of a combined radial-axial magnetic bearing is stacked with coated laminations each equipped with at least one radial cut (9). These cuts (9) prevent the induction of circulating currents caused by varying axial control fluxes through the central hole of the lamination stack. Magnetic symmetry is preserved by rotating every lamination with respect to the previous one.

Abstract: Electromechanical systems using magnetic fields to induce eddy currents and generate lift are described. Magnet configurations which can be employed in the systems are illustrated. The magnet configuration can be used to generate lift and/or thrust. Arrangements of hover engines, which can employ the magnet configurations, are described. Further, vehicles, which employ the hover engines and associated hover engines are described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a circuit, a code modulator, and an actuator. The circuit is operable to detect displacements of a rotating object while in motion. The circuit is operable to detect a position of the displacements and to generate a signal associated therewith. The code modulator is operable to generate a modulated signal based on the position and the displacements. The actuator is operable to apply a force to the rotating object, wherein the force is based on the modulated signal.

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 behaviour is measured, and parameters of the fluid are determined from this.

Abstract: A magnetic radial bearing with low eddy current losses is made compact and easily actuable. For this purpose, a radial bearing with four coils (S1, S2, S3, S4) is proposed, said coils lying opposite one another in pairs on two axes (X, Y). The coils are controlled by a three-phase current (U, V and W). The amplitudes of the currents of the phases (U, V and W) are each evaluated using a sine function which is phase-shifted with respect to one another through 120 DEG. The control is performed by a control device at a variable operating point, which fixes the value for the evaluation of the amplitudes for the individual phases corresponding to the respective sine function.

Abstract: A system for self-aligning diamagnetic materials includes first and second magnets contacting each other along a contact line and having a diametric magnetization perpendicular to the contact line and a diamagnetic rod positioned to levitate above the contact line of the first and second magnets.

Abstract: A hoverboard is described. The hoverboard includes four hover engines each including a motor. The motor rotates an arrangement of magnets to induce eddy currents and generate magnetic lift which causes the hoverboard to hover in the air. The hoverboard can be tilted to propel it in a particular direction. The hover engines can each be coupled to a tilt mechanism which is coupled to a flexible rider platform. When rider platform is flexed via rider induced forces, the hover engines can be tilted individually to provide translational forces.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for damping vibration in a rotor supported by primary bearings are provided. The system includes a magnetic coupling configured to magnetically engage a rotor supported by one or more primary bearings, and a piston coupled to the magnetic coupling. The system also includes a damper engaging the piston and configured to damp the rotor, wherein the damper is substantially non-load bearing.

Abstract: Electromechanical systems using magnetic fields to induce eddy currents and generate lift are described. Magnet configurations which can be employed in the systems are illustrated. The magnet configuration can be used to generate lift and/or thrust. Lift and thrust predictions for various magnet configurations are provided. Arrangements of hover engines, which can employ the magnet configurations, and an associated guidance, navigation and control system, are described. Finally, a number of different applications, such as trains, elevators and printing, which utilize embodiments of the electromechanical systems described herein, are presented.

Abstract: A system for self-aligning diamagnetic materials includes first and second magnets contacting each other along a contact line and having a diametric magnetization perpendicular to the contact line and a diamagnetic rod positioned to levitate above the contact line of the first and second magnets.

Abstract: A rotor structure for a rotary machine in which a rotor (10) is securely fastened to the outer periphery of a shaft (20) and a positioning key is formed on the inner wall of the rotor (10), while a key (11) is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft (20), wherein curved sections (R) are formed on the side surfaces on both sides of the positioning key (11), thereby reducing stress at the angled sections of the rotor core to a greater extent than positioning keys of the prior art. At the same time, torque can be transmitted over the entire surface of an interference section of the shaft (20) thereby enabling torque to be reliably transmitted, and a magnetic path of a magnetic protrusion (d-axis) to be ensured. A motor can thus be reduced in size.

Abstract: A permanent magnet bearing supports part of thrust loads of a vertical shaft induction motor, or the thrust loads of other types of rotation machinery regardless of shaft rotational axis orientation, in parallel with a lubricated mechanical bearing. The permanent magnet has a stationary magnet portion coupled to a bearing bracket and a rotating portion adapted for coupling to a rotor shaft. The permanent magnet bearing exerts a directional magnetic force that generates a preload support force on the rotor shaft that is selectively varied by varying air gap between the stationary and rotating magnet portions. Air gap between the magnet portions is varied with an air gap adjustment mechanism. The gap adjustment mechanism may be coupled to a control system that in some embodiments causes the permanent magnet bearing to vary the air gap based on external load applied on the motor.

Abstract: In a method for operating a three-phase inverter of a converter-fed magnetic bearing, two coils are connected to respective outputs of the three-phase inverter at one end and are connected to each other and to a third output of the three-phase inverter at the other end. A variable control current is injected into the third output. A constant bias current flows between the respective outputs and thus serially through the two coils. The control current is divided among the two respective outputs so as to flow parallel through the two coils. This arrangement significantly reduces the effective current load of the three-phase inverter and significantly increases the slew rate of the control current.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a pre-determined axial thrust force profile for use in a rotating machine that includes a magnetically permeable rotor with first and second surfaces and a generally perpendicular shaft is disclosed. One or more bearings support the shaft and a coil induces flux in the rotor. First and second pole pieces disposed adjacent to the first and second surfaces define first and second gaps. A series magnetic circuit including the pole pieces, the gaps and the rotor carries flux generated by current flowing in the coil. Pole pieces and gaps provide substantially similar reluctance in both gaps. Magnetic saturation characteristics of a series magnetic circuit may provide a pre-determined axial force profile as a function of coil current. A first magnetic saturation characteristic may provide a maximum axial force at a first current magnitude. A second magnetic saturation characteristic may provide a lower axial force at a current greater than the first current.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply stage, and a method of controlling such, comprising: a means for generating an intermediate supply signal in dependence on a reference signal representing a desired power supply; and a plurality of adjusting means, each adapted to generate an adjusted supply signal tracking the reference signal, in dependence on the generated intermediate supply signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the circulation of blood using a purge-free miniature pump. In one embodiment, a pump is provided that may comprise a housing including a rotor and a stator within a drive unit. In this embodiment, the pump may establish a primary blood flow through the space between the drive unit and the housing and a secondary blood flow between the rotor and stator. In another embodiment, a method is provided for introducing the pump into the body and circulating blood using the pump.

Abstract: A hybrid type permanent magnet bearing system which utilizes four permanent magnet rings to replace the mechanical bearings. These rings are divided into two separated groups along an axis, where each group has an inner ring and a separated outer ring. At least one permanent magnet ring has a surface facing the gap between the two groups but being not vertical to the axis. Hence, inside the gap, the magnetic field between these permanent magnet rings is not non-uniform over different directions, and then it may behave as the axial and radical bearing simultaneously.

Abstract: Electromagnetic damper (1) for rotating machines (100) having at least a stator (103) and a rotating shaft (100); the electromagnetic damper (1) is able to damper the vibrations of the rotating machine (100) during its functioning. The damper includes windings (2) of electrically conducting material, for generating a magnetic field; a magnetic circuit (4), for conveying within it a magnetic flux generated by the windings (2); a power supply (8), for supplying the windings (2) of electrically conducting material; the power supply (8) of the electromagnetic damper (1) is positioned inside the rotating machine (100).

Abstract: An axial passive magnet bearing system utilizes the friction-less characteristic of non-contact type permanent magnet bearing to minimize the disadvantages induced by frictions. For example, both the energy and material loses of the mechanical bearing. Two permanents magnet are made of permanent magnet materials and positioned over two opposite surfaces of two mechanical structures, where mechanical bearing(s) is located therebetween. Hence, the magnetic force between the two magnets can improve some disadvantages among the two mechanical structures and the mechanical bearings, such as friction and energy loss.

Abstract: A thrust collar (161) includes a central disk (162), a forward wing (163), and an aft wing (164). The central disk (162) is a disk shaped hollow cylinder with a central axis (97). The forward wing (163) and the aft wing (164) are thin walled hollow cylinders extending axially from an inner portion of the central disk (162) about the central axis (97) in opposite directions. The forward wing (163) includes a forward mounting pilot (165) extending radially inward from the forward wing (163) distal to the central disk (162). The aft wing (164) includes an aft mounting pilot (167) extending radially inward from the aft wing (164) distal to the central disk (162).

Abstract: A bearing support assembly adapted to support and damp radial vibration of a rotor shaft of a vertical motor is disclosed. The bearing support assembly has a thrust bearing adapted to couple to a rotor shaft and carry axial thrust loads along an axial axis, and a radial magnetic damping apparatus having one or more magnetic field-producing members adapted to provide a radially-acting magnetic force to act upon the rotor shaft to reduce radial vibration thereof. Vertical motors and methods of operating the vertical motors are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a casing that defines a chamber and a piston slidably received within the chamber of the casing. A driving coil is configured for selectively urging the piston to slide within the chamber of the casing. An electro-magnetic spring is configured for urging the piston towards a default position when the piston is positioned away from the default position. The electro-magnetic spring can permit the linear compressor to operate at a resonant condition.

Abstract: A superconducting machine for supporting a coolant feed line for superconducting machines includes a hollow shaft that can be connected to the superconducting machine in a first region, the coolant feed line being disposed in the interior thereof for feeding the coolant from the refrigeration unit to the superconducting machine. A magnetic support is disposed in the first region of the hollow shaft so that a radial and thus motion-damping, centering force is exerted on the coolant feed line. The magnetic support has a first and a second magnetic cylinder, wherein the first magnetic cylinder is disposed on the outer jacket of the coolant feed line and the second magnetic cylinder is disposed on the inner face of the hollow shaft. The first magnetic cylinder is a cylinder made of highly electrically conductive material having ohmic resistance.

Abstract: In a displacement sensor and a magnetic bearing system using the same, the displacement sensor includes: a first coil unit including at least one first coil; a second coil unit including at least one second coil differentially connected to one side of the at least one first coil of the first coil unit; a sensor drive means for supplying a first power source voltage and a second power source voltage having the same drive frequency to the first coil unit and the second coil unit, respectively; and a detection circuit for extracting displacement information from a differential signal produced by the first coil unit and the second coil unit due to a change in inductances of the at least one first coil and the at least one second coil according to a position change of a displacement measurement object.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device is provided, especially for determining a rotational frequency of a rotary body, for example of a washing drum and for detecting the amount and/or of the humidity grade of a laundry situated in the washing drum. The sensor device comprises a first electrode device for the irradiation of an alternating electric field, a second electrode device, into which the alternating electric field irradiated by the first electrode device can be coupled, and an evaluation circuit, which is coupled with the first electrode device and which is formed to generate the alternating electric field irradiated at the first electrode device, for detecting field-electrical interactions on at least one of the two electrode devices. The second electrode device preferably comprises a modulator for modulating the alternating electric field irradiated by the first electrode device.

Abstract: An arrangement including a first and second sealing assembly disposed between an inner ring and an outer ring of the wheel hub and straddling the wheel hub and an outer ring of a constant velocity joint, and an annular step formed on the side of the constant velocity joint on a radially outer lateral surface of the inner ring, in a position adjacent to a sleeve portion of a first shield of the first sealing assembly from a flange portion radially extends so as to protrude towards the outer ring, the flange portion being provided towards the constant velocity joint with a signal generating element (19) consisting of an annular insert; an end of a tubular core of the second sealing assembly is fitted angularly onto the step and is radially externally provided with an L-shaped edge arranged within the step and radially under the annular insert.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation type vacuum pump includes an electromagnet magnetically levitating a rotor by a magnetic force, an electromagnet driving circuit supplying an electromagnet current including a magnetic levitation control current component and a carrier wave current component having a frequency band higher than the magnetic levitation control current component to the electromagnet coil, a levitated position detecting circuit detecting the carrier wave current component and generating a levitated position signal of the rotor, a magnetic levitation control circuit inputting a current command of the magnetic levitation control current component to the electromagnet driving circuit based on the levitated position signal. The electromagnet coil has a primary coil and a secondary coil connected in parallel with the primary coil.

Abstract: An oil-retaining bearing fan structure includes a fan base seat, an oil-retaining bearing and a fan impeller. The fan base seat has a bearing cup on one side. At least one magnetic member is enclosed in the bearing cup. The magnetic member serves to apply a magnetic attraction force to a shaft of the fan structure to make the shaft quickly restore to its optimal operation position so as to reduce wear and lower the noises and vibration of the fan structure in operation. Therefore, the lifetime of the fan structure can be prolonged.

Abstract: An axial hybrid magnetic bearing (HMB) is disclosed herein. The HMB has a first electric magnet, a second electric magnet, and a rotor being between the two electric magnets. The rotor has a permanent magnet (PM) structure facing the two electric magnets by its two sides. By doing so, the power consumption can be lower by a bias magnetic flux provided by the PM structure; the equilibrium point of the rotor can be adjusted by the magnetic force of the two electric magnets, which will not change the magnetic characteristic of the PM structure.

Abstract: Metrology apparatus is described that includes a first structure rotatably connected to a second structure by a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement includes at least a first friction bearing including parts in sliding contact during rotation of the first structure relative to the second structure. The apparatus includes at least one magnet that relieves the load on the first friction bearing. Multiple magnets, provided in an attracting or repelling arrangement, may be used. The metrology apparatus may include an articulating probe head for a coordinate positioning apparatus.

Abstract: Permanent magnet bearings are incorporated into rotating equipment, such as induction machines, in addition to active magnetic or lubricated primary shaft support bearings. The passive magnetic bearings incorporate permanent magnets that generate directionally oriented magnetic fields of selective intensity. The magnetic field directions are aligned with a desired shaft support bearing preload direction and intensity, for example to exert axial thrust or radial preloads on the support bearings. A plurality of magnetic bearings may be oriented in opposed relationship with neutral or offsetting resultant forces. The passive magnetic force preload may be utilized to offset rotor vertical weight during induction startup or stopping cycles. Passive magnetic force preload may be applied to lubricated bearings to assure their operational stability.

Abstract: An end plate for an electric machine includes: a bearing receptacle in which a magnetic bearing which is configured for rotatably mounting a rotor of the electric machine can be accommodated; and a radially outwardly pointing circumferential contour on which a number of at least three supporting elements are provided, which supporting elements each protrude radially beyond the circumferential contour by a determined protruding amount, with the result that the supporting elements define a discontinuous external circumferential contour of the end plate. The respective protruding amounts of the support elements are dimensioned such that the end plate can be fitted in by making a center of the magnetic bearing correspond to at least one of a geometric longitudinal axis of the electric machine and a magnetic longitudinal axis of the electric machine.

Abstract: An active magnetic wheel bearing including at least two electromagnetic units arranged to support a wheel hub flange of a vehicle within a bearing outer ring. The active magnetic wheel bearing requires little change to surrounding known structure of the wheel hub flange unit. In addition a method of control and operation of the magnetic wheel bearing is presented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic bearing structure including a permanent magnet, levitating a rotation body without a bias current, and easily magnetizing the permanent magnet. The magnetic bearing structure includes a ring-shaped permanent magnet provided on a side of a rotation shaft and magnetized in a direction parallel with a shaft direction of the rotation shaft, a coil installed on a side of the permanent magnet, and a conductor installed on an external side of the coil and used to form a magnetic field path. According to the configuration, when an additional bias current is not supplied to the coil installed in the magnetic bearing, a rotation body levitates according to the magnetic field caused by the permanent magnet, and a magnetized direction of the permanent magnet is in parallel with a shaft direction of the rotation shaft thereby allowing easy magnetization and increasing productivity of the magnetic bearing.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic bearing device capable of facilitating manufacture of the magnetic bearing device and improving precision in production thereof while maintaining eddy current reducing effects. The magnetic bearing device 10 supporting a rotating shaft 3 with a magnetic force includes a plurality of magnetic poles 5 arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 3. Each magnetic pole 5 includes an inner end surface 5b facing the outer surface of the rotating shaft in proximity thereto. The magnetic poles which are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction respectively extend in the axial directions of the magnetic poles 5 to the inner end surfaces 5b of the magnetic poles so as to virtually interfere with each other in the vicinity of the outer surface of the rotating shaft. The virtual interfering portions 5a of both the magnetic poles 5 capable of interfering with each other are removed by cutting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preload control device of a magnetic bearing, which includes a main shaft, a housing, a first magnetic bearing mechanism, a second magnetic bearing mechanism, a pressing mechanism, and a sliding member. The main shaft is rotatably formed in the shape of a rod that is longitudinally long. The housing covers and is fixed outside the main shaft. The first magnetic bearing mechanism is disposed between the housing and the main shaft. The second magnetic bearing mechanism is spaced from the first magnetic bearing mechanism in the axial direction of the main shaft, between the housing and the main shaft. The pressing mechanism is disposed between the second magnetic bearing mechanism and the frusto-conical member. The sliding member is disposed between the pressing mechanism and the second magnetic bearing mechanism.

Abstract: A radial magnetic bearing having an inner rotor including a central shaft having a ferromagnetic armature mounted on the shaft and an outer stator providing a plurality of electromagnets including poles made of ferromagnetic material which project radially inwardly towards the rotor is provided. As such, air-gaps (e) are left between end faces of the poles and the ferromagnetic armature, and coils wound around the poles. The poles are extended through outer portions attached to a supporting member. Each pole and the corresponding outer portion are included in an angularly segmented module providing a stack of laminations made of ferromagnetic material. The outer portion defines shoulders with respect to the corresponding pole, the outer portion contacting outer portions of neighboring segmented modules and the outer portions of all segmented modules being assembled by clamping rings, wherein the coils located in free spaces around the poles are mounted in a string.

Abstract: Magnetic bearing that is provided with a radial actuator part and an axial actuator part, whereby the aforementioned radial actuator part comprises a laminated stator stack that is provided with a stator yoke, wherein the stator yoke is linked to a closed ferromagnetic structure that surrounds the stator yoke.

Abstract: A system for suspending a rotating body consisting of a combination of magnetic and engineered materials. The suspension system allows for some axial motion to account for varying system loads.

Abstract: A method and device for orienting a timepiece component on both ends of which two magnetic/electrostatic fields each attract it onto a pole piece, with an unbalance in the intensity of the fields around the component, in order to create a differential in the forces thereon and to press one of the ends onto a contact surface of one of the pole pieces, and to hold the other end at a distance from the other pole piece. A magnetic/electrostatic pivot includes such a component with two ends. It includes a guide device with surfaces of two pole pieces each attracted by a magnetic/electrostatic field transmitted by one of the ends, or generating a magnetic/electrostatic field attracting one of the ends, the magnetic/electrostatic forces exerted on the two ends are of different intensity, in order to attract only one end into contact with only one of the pole piece surfaces.

Abstract: A drive section for a substrate transport arm including a frame, at least one stator mounted within the frame, the stator including a first motor section and at least one stator bearing section and a coaxial spindle magnetically supported substantially without contact by the at least one stator bearing section, where each drive shaft of the coaxial spindle includes a rotor, the rotor including a second motor section and at least one rotor bearing section configured to interface with the at least one stator bearing section, wherein the first motor section is configured to interface with the second motor section to effect rotation of the spindle about a predetermined axis and the at least one stator bearing section is configured to effect at least leveling of a substrate transport arm end effector connected to the coaxial spindle through an interaction with the at least one rotor bearing section.