Radial self-stabilizing reluctance magnetic bearing

A novel design for a minimum loss reluctance magnetic bearing, with only one active control loop, will be presented in this paper. On the basis of extensive numerical simulations, the suitability of the bearing concept for machine tools and other possible applications are discussed. The results of the mostly finite element method simulations are being validated and verified by means of tests on a magnetic bearing test rig. At the end of the paper an outlook on possible improvements and further developments will be given.