SEGMENTED COAST-DOWN BEARING FOR MAGNETIC BEARING SYSTEMS

摘要

Coast-down bearing apparatus and methods are provided. The coast-down bearing includes a plurality of segments each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to an outer radius of a shaft and spaced radially therefrom to define a clearance, with the plurality of segments being configured to receive the shaft when a magnetic bearing drops the shaft. The coast-down bearing also includes a plurality of slots disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of segments.