Magnetic Bearings
Taking Friction Out of the Equation
 Magnetic bearings have been utilized by a variety of industries for over a decade with benefits such as: non-contact rotor support, no lubricating liquid needed and no friction-yielding contact with the shaft. Conventional mechanical bearings, the kind that physically interface with the shaft and require some form of lubrication, can be replaced by a technology that suspends a rotor in a magnetic field which allows it to rotate at speeds in excess of 100,000 rpm.
There are two types of magnetic bearing technologies in use today: Active and Passive. Passive bearings are similar to mechanical bearings in that no active control is necessary for operation. In active systems, non-contact position sensors continually monitor shaft position and feed this information to a control system. This in turn, based on the response commanded by the system, flows to the actuator via current amplifiers. These currents are converted to magnetic forces by the actuator and act on the rotor to adjust position and provide damping.
The unique nature of magnetic bearings carry with it a number of inherent user benefits:
- No Friction
- No Lubrication
- No Oil Contamination
- Low Energy Consumption
- Capacity to Operate Within a Wide Temperature Range
- No Need for Pumps, Seals, Filters, Piping, Coolers or Tanks
- Environmentally Friendly Workplace
- Impressive Cost Savings
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