Magnetic bearing system including a generator

Abstract

A magnetic bearing system has a magnetic bearing and an electric generator for activating the magnetic bearing. The various components of the system are mounted respectively on a rotor and a stator. The magnetic bearing is of the magnetic attraction type or of the Lorentz force type. It has first and second subassemblies, one of which is on the rotor and the other of which is on the stator. The generator has at least one magnet subassembly and at least one loop subassembly, one of which is on the rotor and the other of which is on the stator. The magnet subassembly has field magnets for creating magnetic fields. The loop subassembly has loops which travel through the magnetic fields. The magnetic fields are positioned where (a) they subject the interior of a loop moving therethrough to magnetic flux which produces equal and opposed electromotive forces in the loop when the loop is on a prescribed circular path, and (b) they subject the loop's interior to flux which produces unequal and opposed electromotive forces in the loop when the loop deviates from its prescribed circular path. The latter induces, in the generator loop, an electric current which is proportional to the displacement of the loop from its prescribed path. The generator loop is electrically connected to a coil in the bearing so that the generator activates the bearing whenever the generator loop deviates from its prescribed circular path.