초록 ▼

A fiber optic sensor for magnetic bearings includes a stator 12, a rotor 14, and an optical transmit/receive fiber 50 which propagates transmit light 112 which is launched across a gap 15 between the stator and the rotor and which receives reflected light 114 that is reflected off of the rotor 14 an

A fiber optic sensor for magnetic bearings includes a stator 12, a rotor 14, and an optical transmit/receive fiber 50 which propagates transmit light 112 which is launched across a gap 15 between the stator and the rotor and which receives reflected light 114 that is reflected off of the rotor 14 and travels along the fiber 50 as the light 116. The gap 15 distance is determined by the change in intensity of the return light 114. The transmit/receive fiber 50 may be located radially through or longitudinally along the stator 12. The receive light 116 is detected by a photodetector 120 which provides an electrical signal to a control circuit 124 which controls electromagnetic coils 31-34 of the magnetic bearing. Alternatively, two separate fibers may be used for the transmit and receive light. Also, time or wavelength multiplexing may be employed to allow for remote optical source and detection/control of the gap 15 distance. Further, a plurality of such sensors may be used around the gap 15. Also, a temperature sensor may be embedded within the distance sensor. Further, radial and/or axial gaps may be measured.

대표청구항 ▼

A magnetic bearing, comprising: a stator; a rotor, concentrically located with respect to said stator, which rotates relative to said stator, there being a variable gap between said rotor and said stator and electromagnetic forces acting between said stator and said rotor which adjust said gap; a pl

A magnetic bearing, comprising: a stator; a rotor, concentrically located with respect to said stator, which rotates relative to said stator, there being a variable gap between said rotor and said stator and electromagnetic forces acting between said stator and said rotor which adjust said gap; a plurality of optical transmit/receive means, disposed on said stator, each receiving and propagating a corresponding transmit light, for launching said transmit light across said gap, said transmit light being reflected off of said rotor as receive light, and each receiving and propagating said receive light, the intensity of said receive light being indicative of said gap; and detection means, responsive to said receive light from each of said transmit/receive means, for coupling said receive light from each of said transmit/receive means onto a single optical waveguide and for providing at least one electrical receive signal indicative of the intensity of said receive light from predetermined ones of said transmit/receive means.