초록 ▼

A safety and centering device for rotors suspended in contactless magnetic bearings, which provides almost instantaneous centering support for the rotor if the bearing magnets loose power. In a preferred embodiment, the rotor shaft has a collar with a conical friction surface, and a sleeve controlle

A safety and centering device for rotors suspended in contactless magnetic bearings, which provides almost instantaneous centering support for the rotor if the bearing magnets loose power. In a preferred embodiment, the rotor shaft has a collar with a conical friction surface, and a sleeve controlled by an electro magnet with counter-acting springs and also having a conical friction surface. In case of power failure the springs force the two surfaces together and provide centering support for the rotor. In another embodiment having a vertical rotor, the bearing magnets lift the rotor with the friction collar out of engagement with the matching stationary friction surface when the rotor is operating; but if the rotor bearings become de-energized the rotor drops with the collar falling into engagement with the matching friction surface.

대표청구항 ▼

Centering and safety device for a rotor with a shaft supported by contactless bearings having bearing electro magnets, the device which comprises: a centering and bearing collar with a first conical surface attached coaxially to the rotor shaft with the conical surface facing axially in a first dire

Centering and safety device for a rotor with a shaft supported by contactless bearings having bearing electro magnets, the device which comprises: a centering and bearing collar with a first conical surface attached coaxially to the rotor shaft with the conical surface facing axially in a first direction, a bearing sleeve disposed coaxially with the rotor shaft having a second conical centering and bearing surface facing said first conical surface, a sliding sleeve supported axially slidable in a stationary housing between an inactive position distal to said centering and bearing collar and an active position proximal to said centering and bearing collar, having an annular flange, a metallic bearing interposed between said sliding sleeve and said bearing sleeve, at least one electromagnet ring rigidly attached to said housing, said electromagnet ring electrically connected with said bearing electro magnets, and magnetically attracting said flange and drawing it axially into said inactive posisiton when said electromagnet ring is electrically energized, thereby creating in the inactive position a radial and an axial airgap between the second centering and bearing surface and the first conical surface, at least one spring interposed between said housing and said sliding sleeve, said spring for urging said sliding sleeve into said active position, in which said first and second conical surfaces engage one another when said bearing electromagnets and said electromagnet ring are de-energized, so that radial and axial air gaps become zero.