Balancing Measurement System Using Magnetic Bearings

The principles and features of a measurement system with magnetic bearings for providing information for balancing a rotor are described. The proposed system uses magnetic bearings not only as a device supporting a rotor but also as a device measuring and compensating unbalance forces. In the system the total forces acting on a rotor can be balanced by controlling the bearing forces actively; measuring and locating unbalance on the rotor are performed in such states. Some experiments of measurement are carried out by using a magnetic bearing spindle as a single-plane balancing machine. The obtained results show the feasibility of a measurement system for balancing a rotor based upon the proposed principles of measuring.