Sensorless Magnetic Bearing Displacement Error Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic bearing apparatuses face instability in high-frequency ranges due to displacement detection errors caused by exciting currents, making accurate displacement detection and stable control challenging, especially in high-frequency ranges.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic bearing apparatus that uses a PWM driver with a carrier frequency, a current detector to extract displacement error signals, and a displacement error signal removing section to directly remove displacement errors without the need for filters, allowing for stable magnetic levitation even in high-frequency ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high-frequency exciting current is supplied to the electromagnet, then the magnetic bearing can operate at higher rotation speeds, but the displacement detection error increases due to greater inductance changes caused by exciting current variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation speedVSAvoiddisplacement detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of exciting current variations (which cause inductance changes and detection errors) into a useful signal. By detecting the voltage waveform across the electromagnet and extracting the component corresponding to exciting current variations, the system uses this previously harmful signal as a reference to cancel out the detection error through subtraction, thereby improving displacement detection accuracy even at high frequencies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the voltage waveform across the electromagnet, extracting the exciting current variation component, and using this information to compensate for displacement detection errors in real-time. This closed-loop approach allows the system to maintain accurate displacement detection while operating at high rotation speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If complex filtering characteristics are used to remove displacement detection errors, then displacement detection accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement detection accuracyVSAvoidfiltering system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary component (exciting current variation signal) from the voltage waveform through simple rectification and smoothing circuits, rather than using complex filtering systems. This extracted signal is then used for error compensation, achieving accurate displacement detection with minimal circuit complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic filtering systems with a simpler signal processing approach based on waveform analysis and subtraction. Instead of using intricate filter networks to remove detection errors, the system uses digital or analog subtraction of the extracted exciting current component from the displacement signal, achieving the same goal with simpler hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables accurate displacement detection and stable magnetic bearing control across a wide frequency range, including high frequencies, without the need for complex filtering characteristics, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

electromagnets for supporting a rotor rotatably mounted on an axis by magnetic levitation by a magnetic force generated by the electromagnets at a predetermined position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The impedance of the electromagnet is mainly composed of inductance elements of the electromagnet, and a change in this inductance is used for detecting the displacement of the rotating object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductance change: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2083183B1Sensorless magnetic bearing apparatus
Publication Date: 2015.07.01 EBARA CORP
  • EP2083183B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2083183B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2083183B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sensorless magnetic bearing apparatus supports a rotating (1) object using magnetic levitation by a magnetic force of electromagnets (2,3). The magnetic bearing apparatus includes a PWM driver (4) configured to supply exciting currents to the electromagnets (2,3), a driver power source (5) configured to drive the PWM driver (4), and a displacement error signal removing section configured to extract a displacement error signal (verr) of the displacement information (vdisp) from a current (ie) flowing through the driver power source (5) and to remove (15) the displacement error signal (verr) from the displacement information (vdisp).