Electrostatic stabilizer for a passive magnetic bearing system

摘要

Electrostatic stabilizers are provided for passive bearing systems composed of annular magnets having a net positive stiffness against radial displacements and that have a negative stiffness for vertical displacements, resulting in a vertical instability. Further embodiments are shown of a radial electrostatic stabilizer geometry (using circuitry similar to that employed in the vertical stabilizer). This version is suitable for stabilizing radial (lateral) displacements of a rotor that is levitated by annular permanent magnets that are stable against vertical displacements but are unstable against radial displacements.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a right cylindrical rotor configured for rotation about a longitudinal axis, wherein said rotor comprises a metallic outer cylindrical surface; a passive magnetic bearing system configured to provide at least axial stabilization of said rotor as said rotor rotates; a first plurality of pairs of electrodes, wherein each electrode of each pair of said pairs is spaced from each other electrode and from said metallic outer cylindrical surface, wherein said plurality of pairs of electrodes are spaced around said metallic outer cylindrical surface; at least one individual inductor connected to each pair of said first plurality of pairs of electrodes; and at least one source of RF voltage connected across each pair of said plurality of pairs of electrodes.