The repulsive magnetic bearings using a superconductor. 1st report Performance of thrust bearings.

Abstract

The repulsive magnetic bearings using the diamagnetism of a superconductor are expected in cryogenic engineering, because superconducting bearings can support cryogenic rotors and devices without any mechanical contacts and control and control units at low temperature. However, superconducting bearings have not been developed in industrial applications, since the supporting mechanism and the performance of the bearings have not been analyzed in detail. This paper reports the experiment of Niobium thrust bearings and FEM analysis of magnetic field. The experimental data show a good agreement with the results of numerical calculation upto the field higher than Hcl. Judging form analysis of the results, we guess that the load capacity of superconducting bearings is restricted by Hc2 and Jc.