A Magnetic Bearing Actuatorfor Detection of Shaft Cracks in Rotating Machinery Supported in Conventional Bearings

This paper demonstrates experimentally the capability of an AMB actuator to detect shaft cracks during operation of a rotor that would otherwise go undetected by conventional health monitoring methods. The AMB actuator is used in a mid-span location on a rotor supported in conventional rolling element bearings, although the technique is expected to be applicable to AMB-supported rotors.