Magnetic Circuit Analysis Of Homopolar Magnetic Bearing Actuators

This paper describes the development and verification of a design code for permanent magnet bias, homopolar magnetic bearing actuators. This code uses magnetic circuit analysis that provides quick evaluation of candidate bearing actuators. Non-linear material properties are represented, and force versus current characteristics can be calculated as a function of operating speed. Details of code development and description of a user interface created with a commercially available spreadsheet program are presented. Verification is accomplished by comparison with finite element analysis and with experimentally measured actuator performance.