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MAGNETIC BEARING ELEMENT WITH ADJUSTABLE STIFFNESS

  • US 20110291507A1
  • Filed: 06/01/2011
  • Published: 12/01/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A magnetic bearing element with adjustable stiffness, comprising a rotatable shaft;

  • a rotatable support structure attached to said rotatable shaft;

    a stabilizer magnet attached to said rotatable support structure;

    a first magnet attached to said shaft relatively near said rotatable support structure, wherein said first magnet comprises a first direction of magnetization that is in a direction away from said support structure;

    a second magnet attached to said shaft below said first magnet, wherein said second magnet comprises a second direction of magnetization that is the same as said first direction of magnetization, wherein said first magnet is attached to said shaft closer than said second magnet;

    a third magnet attached to said shaft on the opposite side of second magnet relative to said first magnet, wherein said third magnet comprises a third direction of magnetization that is opposite to said first direction of magnetization;

    a stationary support structure;

    a stabilizer stator attached to said stationary support structure;

    a first damping mechanism attached to said stabilizer stator, wherein said first damping mechanism is located between said first magnet and said second magnet, wherein said first damping mechanism provides resistance to lateral, tilt or whirl instabilities of said shaft relative to said stabilizer stator;

    a fourth magnet attached to said stabilizer stator and located between said second magnet and said third magnet, wherein said fourth magnet comprises a fourth direction of magnetization that is the same as said third direction of magnetization, wherein said third direction of magnetization adds to said fourth direction of magnetization to produce a repelling force with respect to said first direction of magnetization and said second direction of magnetization;

    a second damping mechanism attached to said stabilizer stator, wherein said second damping mechanism is located between said third magnet and said fourth magnet, wherein said second damping mechanism provides resistance to lateral, tilt or whirl instabilities of said shaft relative to said stabilizer stator; and

    means for changing the relative position of at least one of said first magnet, said second magnet, said third magnet and said fourth magnet relative to another said first magnet, said second magnet, said third magnet and said fourth magnet.

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