Mechanical backup bearing arrangement for a magnetic bearing system
First Claim
1. An electric machine system comprising:
- a rotational portion and a stationary portion;
a magnetic bearing configured to support the rotational portion to rotate within the stationary portion;
a mechanical back-up bearing residing in a cavity between the rotational portion and the stationary portion;
a flat spring carried by the stationary portion and abutting the back-up bearing;
a retainer clamping the flat spring against the stationary portion, wherein the retainer is separated from at least a portion of the flat spring by an airgap, wherein the flat spring is configured to deflect towards the air gap upon thermal expansion of the inner race of the back-up bearing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure describes a mechanical backup bearing system arrangement to work in conjunction with non-contact magnetic bearings and capable of coping with thermal expansions of the bearing components during operations. Expansions or contractions of an inner or outer race of a bearing can be compensated using particular springs providing a low profile and a proper stiffness. An electric machine system includes a rotational portion and a stationary portion. The electric machine further includes a magnetic bearing configured to support the rotational portion to rotate within the stationary portion. A mechanical back-up bearing resides in a cavity between the rotational portion and the stationary portion. A flat spring is carried by the stationary portion and abutting the back-up bearing.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electric machine system comprising:
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a rotational portion and a stationary portion; a magnetic bearing configured to support the rotational portion to rotate within the stationary portion; a mechanical back-up bearing residing in a cavity between the rotational portion and the stationary portion; a flat spring carried by the stationary portion and abutting the back-up bearing; a retainer clamping the flat spring against the stationary portion, wherein the retainer is separated from at least a portion of the flat spring by an airgap, wherein the flat spring is configured to deflect towards the air gap upon thermal expansion of the inner race of the back-up bearing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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supporting a rotational portion of an electric machine without a mechanical contact using magnetic bearings under normal operating conditions; supporting an outer race of a back-up bearing on a stationary portion of the electric machine; positioning an inner race of the back-u bearing in a close proximity of the rotational portion of the electric machine so that the rotational portion of the electric machine comes into contact with the inner race; clamping a flat spring on the outer race of the back-up bearing at a preloaded force, the flat spring being configured to deflect upon axial motion of the outer race; supporting the flat spring using a retainer against a lateral surface of the outer race, wherein the retainer is separated from at least a portion of the flat spring by an air gap, wherein the flat spring is configured to deflect towards the air gap upon thermal expansion of the inner race. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification