2. Controlling magnetic bearings

2.1 General information on magnetic bearings

An active magnetic bearing enables a rotating machine rotor to be held and rotated without contact with the stator, the rotor being suspended by a magnetic field. Its position is measured by inductive sensors, and regulated by acting on the suspension field. These processes are developed by Société de mécanique magnétique (S2M, Saint-Marcel, France).

Five sets of actuators and sensors control the position in an axial direction and in two perpendicular planes inclined at 45° to the vertical. In each plane, translation and tilting...