Loss reduction strategies in design of magnetic bearing actuators for vehicle applications

Advanced energy storage systems for future military vehicles may include the use of high-speed rotating machines in which magnetic bearing systems are used for rotor support. High-speed machines commonly require rotors to operate in evacuated enclosures, complicating efforts to cool rotor components, since convective heat transfer is not possible in vacuum environments. As a result, it is important to minimize magnetic bearing losses to avoid excessive temperatures in high strength rotor components. This paper discusses two design strategies intended to minimize losses in active magnetic bearing actuators.