Unbalanced Magnetic Pull Compensation With Active Magnetic Bearings in a 2 MW High-Speed Induction Machine by FEM

Abstract

High-power high-speed induction machines (IMs) are gaining ground in various industrial applications, especially in replacing traditional motors and gearboxes driving compressors or high-pressure pumps, etc. However, the high-speed technology presents extra challenges for the mechanical structure of the machine including bearing systems. Therefore, it is often reasonable to use active magnetic bearings (AMBs) instead of traditional bearings as they provide much smaller friction and allow a not perfectly centered orbit of the rotor without affecting the lifetime of the bearings. Using AMBs in a machine, the nonuniformity of the rotor leads to an inevitable rotor eccentricity; the level of which depends on the control tolerance and dynamic characteristics of the AMB and the maximum force generated by the AMB. This rotor eccentricity results in an unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) of the rotor, which has to be compensated by the AMB. This paper analyzes the UMPs of a 2 MW, 12 000 r/min IM in the static eccentricity, dynamic eccentricity, and mixed eccentricity conditions. The AMB system was designed and optimized with the consideration of gravity and UMP effects. Furthermore, the required current compensation for the forces in the horizontal and vertical directions was studied during the operation and verified by the finite-element method.