An Exploratory Study of a Magnetic Bearing Using Superconductive Magnets

Abstract

A superconductive magnet is generally thought unsuitable for a magnetic bearing because this magnet must be placed in liquid helium. The authors propose a new rotor-supporting system suing the strong magnetic field of a superconductive magnet. The experimental prototype was manufactured and its performances were evaluated experimentally and theoretically. The prototype consists of a cryostat, superconductive magnets, a rotor, mechanical auxiliary bearing, and so on. This newly devised cryostat can transmit an attractive force to a rotor which is placed in a normal temperature atmosphere. The bearing can suspend a rotor with hundreds of kilograms in the thrust direction using a mechanical auxiliary bearing in the radial direction. Besides, complete levitation is made possible when the currents of magnets are controlled automatically.