Computer-aided analysis of magnetic fields in nonlinear magnetic bearings

The high magnetic energy stored in rate earth-cobalt magnets allows the design of lightweight motors and magnetic bearings for high speed rotors. Not subject to wear and with the ability to operate under high vacuum conditions, magnetic bearings appear ideal for applications requiring high rotational speeds such as 100,000 rpm. Important applications are for turbo-molecular pumps, laser scanners, centrifuges, momentum rings for satellite stabilizations, and other uses in space technology. It is the purpose of this paper to present a two-dimensional nonlinear numerical analysis of the magnetic fields in a magnetic bearing, based on magnetostatic assumptions and finite-difference iterative techniques.