Computer Science – Performance
Scientific paper
Jan 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002iaf..confe.484c&link_type=abstract
IAF abstracts, 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, The Second World Space Congress, held 10-19 October, 2002 in Houston, TX, USA.,
Computer Science
Performance
Scientific paper
Magnetic bearings are particularly suited for space applications for a number of reasons: - they are ideally suited for vacuum applications; - the lack of lubrication and wear enhances the reliability and guaranties a long maintenance-free operation - the low drag torque decreases power consumption and reduces the torque exerted on the stator of the machine. - the possibility of insulating actively the spacecraft from the excitation due to unbalance of the rotating system In the case of reaction wheels, a well designed magnetic suspension allows high speed operation with a very low power consumption and vibration level. Conversely, microgravity (and possibly vacuum) operation is an advantage for magnetic bearings. The absence of static forces allows to operate with low current levels, thus reducing electrical noise and allowing to reach even lower vibration levels than in Earth applications of magnetic bearings. Active magnetic bearings (AMB) allow to adapt the working characteristics of the system to the operating needs: it is possible to use the actuators to lock the system during launch (absence of grabbers) and to stiffen the suspension when the spacecraft is accelerated (impulsive phases), while working in conditions optimised for microgravity when this is needed. Magnetic suspension systems designed for microgravity environment cannot be correctly tested on the ground. Testing in ground conditions results in the need of grossly overdesigning the levitation device; furthermore, in some cases ground testing is completely impossible, if not by introducing devices which compensate for the Earth gravitational field. If the compensation for the gravitational force is supplied by the same actuators used for microgravity operation, the actuators and the power amplifiers must be overdesigned and in some cases the suspension can be altogether impossible. They work in conditions which are much different from nominal ones and, above all, it is impossible to reach the precision in force measuring or vibration isolation which are required. Note that the stiffness of a magnetic suspension usually increases when it must compensate for a large static force and the increase of stiffness changes drastically the vibration isolation characteristics. It is also possible to support the rotor using a separate controlled electromagnet, but the latter will introduce disturbances which make impossible to evaluate the performances of the magnetic levitation system. Moreover, the sensitivity of the device to the operating conditions makes testing in conditions so different from the actual ones of very little significance. This is particularly true when accurate force measuring or vibration isolation is required or when low power consumption is one of the design specifications. Finally, if an external electromagnetic device is used for compensating for weight, its presence changes the stiffness of the system, to the point of altering drastically its stability characteristics. Parabolic flight is not a solution for this problem: the duration of low gravity conditions during parabolic flights is too short to perform significant experiments on magnetic suspension systems, particularly if the natural frequency of the suspension is very low as is typical of devices aimed at the isolation from low frequency vibrations. The environment in which parabolic flight testing is performed is also too rough for accurate testing. The availability of the space station changes deeply this situation: magnetic levitation systems built for space application can be tested in conditions which are very close to the operating ones. Although the space station environment is not vibrationally so clean as it would be necessary for some application, it is nevertheless far better than any simulated environment on the ground. The present paper deals with the design and construction of an engineering model of an inertia wheel on AMB. The aim of the project is to test the performance of the inertia wheel, particularly for what the disturbances caused by the rotor on the supporting structure are concerned, in actual microgravity conditions and to validate different control strategies. At present the engineering model is completed for what the mechanical subsystems and the electromechanical parts of the bearings are concerned. The drive motor is at an advanced design stage and the control electronics is almost completed. The construction phase will be completed within four to six months. A number of ground tests aimed to verifying that the device is able to operate satisfactorily are planned to be completed within the end of year 2002.
Carabelli S.
Genta Giancarlo
Silvagni M.
Tonoli A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Inertia Wheel on Low-Noise Active Magnetic Suspension does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Inertia Wheel on Low-Noise Active Magnetic Suspension, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Inertia Wheel on Low-Noise Active Magnetic Suspension will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1331799