Less Losses in Active Magnetic Bearings

An optimization method and a design for a reduction of eddy current losses in an active magnetic bearing (AMB) are presented. Since eddy current losses are a major source of energy dissipation in an AMB, their reduction may increase efficiency and operating range of the AMB, reduce cooling efforts and hence lower manufacturing and operational costs. With the proposed optimization, a reduction of eddy current losses of about 30 per cent is achievable.