Application of HTSC-Bearings for High Speed Machines

his paper describes several configurations for contactless bearings with high temperature superconductors. Different bearing topologies are presented as well as design options for the parts made of superconducting materials and the permanent magnet excitation system. Potentialities for the optimization are discussed. An example of a cylindrical bearing to support a turbinetype rotor is given with respect to design parameters such as levitation force, stiffness and damping. The key technology is the method of activating the bearing. At the IMAB a method to affect the levitation force and the stiffness by preloading the bearing and varying the temperature of the superconductor has been developed.