Study of the Magnetic Flux in the Rotor-Actuator Interface of Active Hydrodynamic Bearings with Magnetic Pads

• Grant number: 09/15304-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2009
• End date: November 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanics of Solids
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Nicoletti
• Grantee: Raphael Pereira Spada
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Active hydrodynamic bearings with magnetic pads are a new generation of active hybrid bearings, where lubrication is responsible for rotor support and electromagnetic actuators are responsible for rotor vibration control. During prototype experimentation, one has detected a low actuation capability of the system above frequencies of 30 Hz. This project aims at studying numerically the magnetic flux behavior in the interface between the rotor and the actuator looking for optimized solutions which, consequently, will improve system actuation capability. At the end of this project, one will suggest modifications in the actuation system (material and geometry) for achieving higher actuation capabilities and a broader system operational range.