A magnetic actuator for a magnetic suspension system includes a core section having an annular yoke and radially directed teeth joining the yoke. The magnetic actuator includes coils surrounding the teeth and a mechanical structure having a first section and a second section. The first section is attached to the yoke and conducts magnetic flux axially. The second section joins the first section and conducts the magnetic flux radially in a direction opposite to a direction of the magnetic flux in the teeth. The magnetic actuator includes a mechanical safety bearing that is between the second section and the teeth. Thus, the safety bearing is in a room surrounded by a magnetic flux circulation path. Therefore, the safety bearing does not increase an axial length of the magnetic suspension system.

A thrust magnetic bearing includes a stator having a coil, and a rotor. The stator includes main and auxiliary stator magnetic-pole surfaces. The rotor includes main and auxiliary rotor magnetic-pole surfaces facing the main and auxiliary stator magnetic-pole surfaces. When an electric current flows in the coil, an electromagnetic force in an axial direction is generated between the main stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces, and an electromagnetic force in a radial direction is generated between the auxiliary stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces. When the rotor is displaced in the radial direction, a radial force that acts on the rotor between the auxiliary stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces is increased in a direction of the displacement, and a radial force that acts on the rotor between the main stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces is increased in a direction opposite to the direction of the displacement.

A thrust magnetic bearing includes a stator having a coil that produces a magnetic flux, and a rotor. The magnetic flux supports the rotor in a non-contact manner. The stator has main and auxiliary stator magnetic pole surfaces. The rotor has main and auxiliary rotor magnetic pole surfaces. The main and auxiliary rotor magnetic pole surfaces face the main and auxiliary stator magnetic pole surfaces. The auxiliary stator magnetic pole surface includes at least one first stator surface and at least one second stator surface, alternately arranged. The auxiliary rotor magnetic pole surface includes at least one first rotor surface, and at least one second rotor surface, alternately arranged. Nr≥1 and Nt≥2, with Nr representing a number of pairs of the first stator and rotor surfaces facing each other, and Nt representing a number of pairs of the second stator and rotor surfaces facing each other.

A magnetic bearing having a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring arranged concentrically in relation to the first bearing ring. The first bearing ring and the second bearing ring are mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to each other about an axis of rotation by means of electromagnets. The first bearing ring has a first magnet row and a second magnet row. The magnet rows each include electromagnets arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction of the first bearing ring. The electromagnets of the magnet rows are oriented such that they can each exert a magnetic force on the second bearing ring, which magnetic force is oriented transversely to the axis of rotation and transversely to a radial plane which is arranged perpendicularly to the axis of rotation.

A thrust magnetic bearing includes a stator having a coil that produces a magnetic flux, and a rotor. The magnetic flux supports the rotor in a non-contact manner. The stator has main and auxiliary stator magnetic pole surfaces. The rotor has main and auxiliary rotor magnetic pole surfaces. The main and auxiliary rotor magnetic pole surfaces face the main and auxiliary stator magnetic pole surfaces. The auxiliary stator magnetic pole surface includes at least one first stator surface and at least one second stator surface, alternately arranged. The auxiliary rotor magnetic pole surface includes at least one first rotor surface, and at least one second rotor surface, alternately arranged. Nr≥1 and Nt≥2, with Nr representing a number of pairs of the first stator and rotor surfaces facing each other, and Nt representing a number of pairs of the second stator and rotor surfaces facing each other.

A thrust magnetic bearing includes a stator having a coil, and a rotor. The stator includes main and auxiliary stator magnetic-pole surfaces. The rotor includes main and auxiliary rotor magnetic-pole surfaces facing the main and auxiliary stator magnetic-pole surfaces. When an electric current flows in the coil, an electromagnetic force in an axial direction is generated between the main stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces, and an electromagnetic force in a radial direction is generated between the auxiliary stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces. When the rotor is displaced in the radial direction, a radial force that acts on the rotor between the auxiliary stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces is increased in a direction of the displacement, and a radial force that acts on the rotor between the main stator and rotor magnetic-pole surfaces is increased in a direction opposite to the direction of the displacement.

A magnetic bearing having a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring arranged concentrically in relation to the first bearing ring. The first bearing ring and the second bearing ring are mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to each other about an axis of rotation by means of electromagnets. The first bearing ring has a first magnet row and a second magnet row. The magnet rows each include electromagnets arranged at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction of the first bearing ring. The electromagnets of the magnet rows are oriented such that they can each exert a magnetic force on the second bearing ring, which magnetic force is oriented transversely to the axis of rotation and transversely to a radial plane which is arranged perpendicularly to the axis of rotation. The disclosure further relates to a method for operating a magnetic bearing.

When a duration of current noise caused by a PWM control of each excitation amplifier is Td, a cycle of a PWM carrier signal is Tpwm, an on-duty upper limit of the PWM carrier signal under quiet environment without disturbance is Tonu, and an on-duty lower limit of the PWM carrier signal under the quiet environment without the disturbance is Tonl, the AD sampling period includes a first AD sampling period between a point after a lapse of the time Td after a start of the cycle Tpwm and a point after a lapse of a time (TpwmTonu) from the start of the cycle Tpwm, and a second AD sampling period between a point after a lapse of a time (TpwmTonl+Td) from the start of the cycle Tpwm and an end point of the cycle Tpwm.

A magnetic actuator for a magnetic suspension system includes a core section having an annular yoke and radially directed teeth joining the yoke. The magnetic actuator includes coils surrounding the teeth and a mechanical structure having a first section and a second section. The first section is attached to the yoke and conducts magnetic flux axially. The second section joins the first section and conducts the magnetic flux radially in a direction opposite to a direction of the magnetic flux in the teeth. The magnetic actuator includes a mechanical safety bearing that is between the second section and the teeth. Thus, the safety bearing is in a room surrounded by a magnetic flux circulation path. Therefore, the safety bearing does not increase an axial length of the magnetic suspension system.

Flywheel system properties are enhanced with rim designs that control stress at operational rotational velocities. The tensile strength of fiber-resin composites can be aligned with radial forces to improve radial stress loading. Loops with composite casings can be arranged around the flywheel circumference with a majority of the fibers being aligned in the radial direction. The loops can enclose masses that contribute to energy storage in the flywheel system. The masses subjected to radial forces can provide compressive force to the loops to contribute to maintaining loop composite integrity. With the alignment of fibers in radial directions, higher loading permits increase in rotational velocities, which can significantly add to the amount of energy stored or produced with the flywheel.