The application of the permanent magnet bearings in the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

This paper introduces the structural design of the permanent magnetic bearing for axial suspension on wind turbine, including the supporting schemes and the selection of the permanent magnetic material. The calcula-tion of the bearing capacity and the stiffness are given, and suitable stiffness can reduce the vibration caused by the changes of the wind load. Experimental comparation of wind turbines starting torque supported by the magnetic bearing and by the mechanicalbearing was carried out. And it is proved that the magnetic bearing can significantly reduce the starting torque of the wind turbine, thereby the starting wind velocity can be also reduced. Meanwhile, the wind turbine can work for a long time without lubrication, which affords lower maintenance costs, reduces the noise and greatly raises the efficiency.