Eddy Current Effects on the Design of Rotor-Magnetic Bearing Systems

Abstract

The recent growth of magnetic bearing applications in the chemical, utility and aerospace industries requires more accurate design tools to insure reliable and effective operation as components of the overall rotor bearing system. This paper provides a novel approach for simulating a flexible rotor suspended in magnetic bearings, accounting for eddy current effects. The manuscript discusses some magnetic bearing fundamentals, leading up to the new methods for modeling. Test results show very good correlation with theory and confirm the importance of considering eddy current effects. Surface conductivity and frequency dependent permeability effects on the B field in the magnet gaps are shown to be very significant on overall system stability. The results in the manuscript should be very useful to the design or test rotor dynamicist.