Comparison of Radial Magnetic Bearing Designs

The initial design of an active magnetic bearing actuator is critical for a successful magnetic suspension. The sizing of the stators and rotors is a vital step for maintaining a favorable weight to load capacity ratio for the magnetic suspension. Sizing the stators and rotors for minimum running losses during high-speed operation is a challenge all designers face. This paper presents results from recently completed analyses for rtmning loss determination in radial magnetic bearings, and presents how these results are used in the initial design phase for radial magnetic bearings. Comparisons of flux density versus speed for various heteropolar radial flux distribution designs and a comparison of rotating loss versus load for various radial pole counts are also presented.