SANBURG MAGNETIC BEARINGS

 

        A magnetic bearing is a type of bearing that uses a magnetic force to support machinery parts without having any actual contact with the part itself while the machine is turned on. The magnetic force is strong enough that it lifts the small piece of the machine and allows it to move while it is suspended in the air. This eliminates the friction between

the piece and the machine itself.

 

       Bearings in general are used in machinery to control the movement of two or more moving pieces which often rotate in a circular motion. The bearing is intended to allow the two pieces to move without too much interference caused by friction from the pieces rubbing

together, or rubbing against other pieces around them. One of the most commonly known types of bearing is the ball bearing system.

 

      Magnetic bearings are similar to other types of bearings, such as ball bearings, but a magnetic bearing has a distinct difference in the way it operates. This difference lies in the fact that when the machine is turned on, the magnetic bearing eliminates the friction between the pieces instead of reducing it. The magnetic current must be strong enough to levitate the piece so it is not touching the surface as it moves around inside the machine.

Magnetic thrust ball bearing SKF Magnetic Bearings 

      

        SKF Magnetic Bearings has supplied thrust bearings from 130 to 24,500 N (30 to 5,500 lbf), for shaft diameters ranging from 9 to 130 mm (3/8 to 5 inches). These are installed on machines that have rotational speeds ranging from 1,800 to 100,000 rpm. SKF also supplies canned thrust bearing designs for hermetically sealed applications and thrust bearings for high temperature applications up to 220°C (428°F).

 

      The thrust bearings shown above are 17,000 N capacity (3,800 lbf) for a 12,000 rpm turbocompressor with a 120 mm shaft.