A magnetic suspension bearing device, a compressor and a method for adjusting catcher bearing gap. The magnetic suspension bearing device includes: a housing; a rotor in the housing; a magnetic bearing assembly between the housing and the rotor; a catcher bearing bracket mounted axially to an end of the housing, with a catcher bearing mounted at a radially inner side of the catcher bearing bracket; and a washer between the catcher bearing bracket and the end of the housing; wherein the washer includes a plurality of sub-washer portions, such that when the catcher bearing bracket is moved axially relative to the end of the housing to separate from the washer while still being supported by the end of the housing, the plurality of sub-washer portions can be radially removed and mounted.

A magnetic bearing control apparatus includes a plurality of output elements configured to generate electromagnetic force, a magnetic bearing configured to float a rotation shaft from a surface of the magnetic bearing based on the electromagnetic force generated by the plurality of output elements, at least one displacement sensor configured to sense a displacement of the rotation shaft, and a controller. The controller is configured to control a current supplied to the plurality of output elements, to control a position of the rotation shaft based on the current supplied to the plurality of output elements according to the displacement of the rotation shaft, and to determine a failure of the displacement sensor.

A bearingless motor includes a rotor, a stator for applying support force and torque to the rotor, and a first displacement sensor and a second displacement sensor for detecting a radial position of the rotor. The stator includes a motor winding for generating a magnetic flux having p poles to produce the torque, and a support winding for generating a magnetic flux having p?2 poles or two poles to produce the support force. The first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor are disposed at positions axially different from each other.

A turbine and a turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.

Rotating machines and rotors therefor are disclosed. The bearings may be magnetic bearings configured to magnetically levitate the rotor. The rotors may include a hollow fiber-reinforced composite shaft and a magnetic bearing rotor core disposed on the shaft and configured for use with the magnetic bearing. In some examples, the rotating machines may be electrical machines.

A flywheel system includes a fixture including a bottom support, a rotor characterized by a gravitational load and configured to rotate above the bottom support about a rotation axis, and a bottom magnetic levitation bearing. The bottom magnetic levitation bearing includes (a) a ring of first magnets mechanically coupled with a bottom end of the rotor, (b) a ring of second magnets mechanically coupled to the bottom support, beneath the ring of first magnets, the second magnets repelling the first magnets to magnetically support at least a portion of the gravitational load above the bottom support, (c) a ring of third magnets mechanically coupled with the bottom end, and (d) a ring of fourth magnets mechanically coupled to the bottom support radially outwards from the ring of third magnets, the fourth magnets repelling the third magnets to at least reduce radial decentering of the rotor relative to the fixture.

A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.

Rotating machines and rotors therefor are disclosed. The bearings may be magnetic bearings configured to magnetically levitate the rotor. The rotors may include a hollow fiber-reinforced composite shaft and a magnetic bearing rotor core disposed on the shaft and configured for use with the magnetic bearing. In some examples, the rotating machines may be electrical machines.

A method of commutating a motor includes operatively interfacing a stator and actuated component of the motor, arranging at least two winding sets relative to the actuated component, and independently controlling the at least two winding sets so that with the at least two winding sets the actuated component is both driven and centered.

A magnetic bearing device comprises: a magnetic bearing configured to magnetically levitate and support a rotor rotatably driven by a sensor-less motor; a detector configured to detect displacement from a levitation target position of the rotor to output a displacement signal; a signal processor configured to compensate, based on motor rotation information from a motor controller of the sensor-less motor, for the displacement signal to reduce a vibration component of electromagnetic force of the magnetic bearing; and a current controller configured to generate control current of the magnetic bearing based on the displacement signal having been processed in the signal processor.