Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE A
(Monthly)

2006   Vol. 7   Suppl. II   p. 271-276

Studies on a passive electromagnetic damper

Zheng Shui-Ying^†1, Pan Xiao-Hong^†‡2, Ma Zhen-Fei¹

(¹Institute of Chemical Machinery, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)
(²Institute of Manufacture Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)
^‡ Corresponding Author
^†E-mail: zhengshuiying@zju.edu.cn; pan_xh@zju.edu.cn
Received Oct. 20, 2005 revision accepted May 1, 2006

Abstract: The passive electromagnetic damper has the same configuration as that of the electromagnetic bearing, but no sensors and no closed loop control are needed. Its robustness and no-contact structure are its great advantages. When the rotor vibrates, the electromagnetic field intensity in the air gap is altered, then fluctuating currents in the damper coils and eddy currents inside the surface layer of rotor are created. Damping force is caused by the fluctuating currents, while retardation torque is generated by eddy currents. The characteristics of a damper may be improved by adding an additional electrical circuit. Numerical studies showed that damping coefficient increases with increasing static current, but decreases with increasing frequency. And the damping coefficient of the improved damper at higher frequency is more evident than that of the original damper. Experimental results showed that the resonant vibration around the first critical speed was obviously suppressed by both types of passive electromagnetic damper.

Key words: Passive electromagnetic damper, Rotor, Vibration control
doi:10.1631/jzus.2006.AS0271             CLC number: TH113

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