Nonlinear analysis of an AMB system using harmonic domain LTV models

Although the AMB technology has important advantages mainly due to the lack of mechanical friction, its nonlinear nature complicates the design and control of such systems. In this work, the nonlinear analysis of an AMB system, the MBC500 Rotor Dynamics from Launchpoint Technologies, is presented. This analysis is based on the harmonic domain linearization of the AMB system around a nonlinear stationary solution, leading to a LTV model for each rotating speed. The nonlinear nature of the response appears at high speeds, due to the large oscillations introduced by the shaft unbalance. Using the presented methodology, low frequency gain loss is detected when increasing the rotating speed. This phenomenon causes the instability of the system, leading to destructive crashes