High Temperature Characterization of a Radial Magnetic Bearing for Turbomachinery

Open loop, experimental force and power measurements of a radial, redundant-axis, magnetic bearing at temperatures to 1000°F (538°C) and rotor speeds to 15,000 rpm along with theoretical temperature and force models are presented in this paper. The experimentally measured force produced by a single C-core circuit using 22A was 600 lb (2.67 kN) at room temperature and 380 lb (1.69 kN) at 538°C. These values were compared with force predictions based on a one-dimensional magnetic circuit analysis and a thermal analysis of gap growth as a function of temperature. The analysis showed that the reduction of force at high temperature is mostly due to an increase in radial gap due to test conditions, rather than to reduced core permeability. Tests under rotating conditions showed that rotor speed has a negligible effect on the bearing’s static force capacity. One C-core required approximately 340 W of power to generate 190 lb (845 N) of magnetic force at 538°C, however the magnetic air gap was much larger than at room temperature. The data presented are after bearing operation for eleven total hours at 538°C and six thermal cycles.