New Test Techniques Using Magnetic Bearings

The appearance of a multitude of excitation mechanisms in rotor systems under working conditions is a well known fact. A magnetic bearing is used to experimentally generate these effects. It not only allows a perfect simulation of the real excitation forces, but in addition enables the generation of arbitrary test forces in order to evaluate the effectiveness of active controlled supports of rotors. The magnetic bearing along with its electronic components will be presented as a force generator. By the use of a computer, a fully automated test run with arbitrary excitation mechanisms can be realized. Subsequently, possible applications of magnetic bearings for research purposes will be demonstrated experimentally. Two simple examples will be outlined more in detail.