Passive magnetic bearings

[Gordon T Haley]

Passive magnetic bearings are similar to mechanical bearings in that no active control is necessary for operation. One passive bearing approach utilizes repulsive effects of permanent magnets, which is essentially two magnets repelling each other. Another involves reluctance centering, which is essentially two magnets, or magnetic pole faces, attracting to align poles. In both cases, the developed forces act to cause the rotor to remain in the desired position. This type of bearing system is suited for very lightly loaded systems, or ones with any significant load in only one axis and very limited response necessary from the remaining axes. For a horizontal motor coupled to another machine that has a thrust bearing, it can be a good choice to use two active radial magnetic bearings and a passive axial magnetic bearing.

[Gordon T Haley]

Someone on jrcbd said that the bearings are not strong enough. Mmm...

[Gordon T Haley]

I've been looking into bearings. Trying to figure out if there is a local supplier. Noticed zenoah suppliers list a stock replacement as skf 6001 C3. The 6001 is the size (D=28mm x d=12mm) and C3 is speacial option to fit the zenoah crank. Skf offers low friction version an E2 6001 2ZC3 but this does not seem to be to same as the one offered by engine builders. The E3 is supose to cut friction by 50% of the normal bearing.The E3 also has metal shields on both sides (2Z) More research needed.