A levitated motor with superconducting magnetic bearings assisted by self-sensing AMBs

This paper describes newly developed superconducting magnetic bearings (SMBs) assisted by self-sensing active magnetic bearings (AMBs). The self-sensing AMBs detect the gaps between rotor and electromagnets. The principle of the self-sensing sensors is based on a differential transformer. The sensitivity in liquid nitrogen is almost equal to that in air. The sensor is found to be useful in liquid nitrogen at 77 K (-196 /spl deg/C). Moreover, the sensors are applied to the SMBs. Dynamics of the SMBs with self-sensing AMBs are discussed. From the results, it is found that the system is useful and promising.