Segmented coast-down bearing for magnetic bearing systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A coast-down bearing for use with a magnetic bearing system, comprising:
- a plurality of segments each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to an outer radius of a shaft, spaced radially therefrom, and defining a clearance between the plurality of segments and the shaft, the plurality of segments being configured to receive the shaft when a magnetic bearing drops the shaft, and at least one of the plurality of segments being tilted; and
a plurality of slots disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of segments.
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Abstract
Coast-down bearing apparatus and methods are provided. The coast-down bearing includes a plurality of segments each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to an outer radius of a shaft and spaced radially therefrom to define a clearance, with the plurality of segments being configured to receive the shaft when a magnetic bearing drops the shaft. The coast-down bearing also includes a plurality of slots disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of segments.
417 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A coast-down bearing for use with a magnetic bearing system, comprising:
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a plurality of segments each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to an outer radius of a shaft, spaced radially therefrom, and defining a clearance between the plurality of segments and the shaft, the plurality of segments being configured to receive the shaft when a magnetic bearing drops the shaft, and at least one of the plurality of segments being tilted; and a plurality of slots disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of segments. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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- 6. An apparatus for supporting a shaft during a coast-down, comprising a first coast-down bearing including first and second segments each disposed around the shaft, radially-offset therefrom, and defining a first clearance therebetween, the first and second segments defining a slot therebetween and each defining a radius of curvature that is substantially equal to an outer radius of the shaft, the first and second segments each being configured to receive the shaft during the coast-down, and at least one of the first and second segments being tilted.
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15. A method for supporting a shaft during coast-down, comprising:
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receiving the shaft with at least one of a plurality of bearing segments of a coast-down bearing after the shaft has been dropped by a magnetic bearing, to cause an initial impact on a bearing surface of the at least one of the plurality of bearing segments, the plurality of bearing segments being disposed around the shaft and spaced radially apart therefrom by a clearance, each of the plurality of bearing segments having a radius of curvature substantially equal to an outer radius of the shaft; distributing the initial impact over the at least one of the plurality of bearing segments by contacting the shaft with substantially all of the bearing surface of the at least one of the plurality of bearing segments; and tilting the plurality of bearing segments such that the plurality of bearing segments each face in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification