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Aerospace applications of magnetic bearingsMagnetic bearings have traditionally been considered for use in aerospace applications only where performance advantages have been the primary, if not only, consideration. Conventional wisdom has been that magnetic bearings have certain performance advantages which must be traded off against increased weight, volume, electric power consumption, and system complexity. These perceptions have hampered the use of magnetic bearings in many aerospace applications because weight, volume, and power are almost always primary considerations. This paper will review progress on several active aerospace magnetic bearings programs at SatCon Technology Corporation. The magnetic bearing programs at SatCon cover a broad spectrum of applications including: a magnetically-suspended spacecraft integrated power and attitude control system (IPACS), a magnetically-suspended momentum wheel, magnetic bearings for the gas generator rotor of a turboshaft engine, a vibration-attenuating magnetic bearing system for an airborne telescope, and magnetic bearings for the compressor of a space-rated heat pump system. The emphasis of these programs is to develop magnetic bearing technologies to the point where magnetic bearings can be truly useful, reliable, and well tested components for the aerospace community.
Document ID
19940031330
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Downer, James
(SatCon Technology Corp. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Goldie, James
(SatCon Technology Corp. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Gondhalekar, Vijay
(SatCon Technology Corp. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Hockney, Richard
(SatCon Technology Corp. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Langley Research Center, Second International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology, Part 1
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Accession Number
94N35837
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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