Powerflux™ AMBs utilize homopolar permanent-magnet-bias magnetic fields in conjunction with an electromagnetic field, whereas Xcellflux™ AMBs use heteropolar electromagnetic bias fields in conjunction with electromagnetic control fields. Both products are low-cost and easy to assemble, as shown and described below.

More detailed information displays and functionalities can be accessed through the action buttons: Digital Signal Processors (DSP) Actions, View Logs, Fault Summary, View/Set Parameters and Measurements.

A damaged Camshaft Position Sensor affects the driving experience and the engine efficiency and can cause more severe conditions.

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An AMB actuator must be connected to a Magnetic Bearing Controller (MBC) which  supplies the control current to the coils based on a position sensor feedback signal and a control algorithm.

Rolling bearing

The Calnetix Service Graphical User Interface (GUI) is used for system setup, monitoring, diagnostics and system identification. The upper half of the front panel, shown below, displays orbit plots from the two radial bearing sensors as well as a time history plot from the axial bearing sensor. Other operating variables shown on the GUI include spin speed, static current, and synchronous displacement and current. Status variables, such as levitation and fault status, are also indicated on the GUI. Finally, a System Information window on the right gives version information for the GUI, firmware, parameter file and machine serial number specifier.

Air bearing

Our AMB development approach combines cutting-edge design with a focus on sustainability and efficiency to optimize performance across all industries.

Calnetix Technologies excels in developing high-speed rotating machinery with patented active magnetic bearings (AMBs) that boost system efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.

Eddy current

A faulty camshaft position sensor will illuminate your Check Engine Light on the dashboard. If your light comes on you must take your car to be examined by a technician, or you can use our DIY scanner tool to check the vehicle.

Bearing

We offer Powerflux™ Magnetic Bearings in radial and side by side combination configuration and Xcelflux™ Magnetic Bearings with a unique coil architecture. The unique advantages of Calnetix’s active magnetic bearings include the following:

Receiving incorrect data from the Camshaft Position Sensor (CPS) also reduces engine power dramatically. Acceleration is inhibited by misfires and poor combustion. Frequent stalling and engine speed reduction are also clues.

The data from the Camshaft Position Sensor (CPS) is important in controlling the engine's operation. Receiving bad information from CPS significantly affects the operation of the vehicle. Therefore, if you encounter the above cases, go to the nearest service garage for immediate repair support.

Check our detailed PM Bias Resource Page to learn about the operational principles of a homopolar, permanent magnet-biased active magnetic bearing.

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A speed sensor provides the active magnetic bearing with information about the rotational speed and angular position of the rotor. This information is required to adjust  the control parameters as speed changes to enable the rotor unbalance cancellation. Calnetix uses two types of dedicated speed sensors. Both sensors utilize a source of a DC magnetic field and a  Hall-effect element that measures that field. They also contain additional rotor features, such as  a notch which modulates the magnetic field.

In most cases, Calnetix utilizes broad multidisciplinary in-house expertise to work with a customer to design an entire machine on magnetic bearings, rather than simply supplying magnetic bearing components. This achieves optimal performance of the machine as an integrated system and fully realizes the magnetic bearing system potential. Some of Calnetix’s competitive advantages include:

Rolling element bearing

All sensors include the sensitive element (sensor head) integrated into the machine, where the displacement needs to be measured. Conversely, the sensor electronics are typically located in the Magnetic Bearing Controller (MBC).

Calnetix Technologies has developed and deployed advanced Magnetic Bearing Controllers (MBCs) that contain all of the elements necessary to operate magnetic bearing systems.

Different types of position sensors have different property combinations, making some more suitable for specific applications than others. In industrial-use environment, it is typically preferable to have one technology that covers as many applications as possible. When considering the wide breadth of available technologies, such as optical, capacitive, and electromagnetic position sensors, electromagnetic position sensors are the most universal solution.

Transient Simulation of Magnetic Bearing and Backup Bearing Interaction in a High Speed Rotary Atomizer Subjected to Impulsive Loads

"Hard to start" is a common symptom when your Camshaft Position Sensor (CPS) has a problem. Starting takes a little bit longer than usual or doesn't even start at all because the ECM does not get the correct values to time the spark and injected fuel required for engine ignition.

Tapered rollerbearings

Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs) have been used in commercial rotating machinery for over 30 years because they offer excellent performance over long operational lifespans. This is possible because they operate with few friction elements and no wearable parts or components. In recent years, OEMs have increased the adoption of magnetic bearing systems, leading to significant lifecycle cost reduction and increased market penetration across diverse industries.

A Camshaft Position Sensor (CPS) is a common vehicle sensor. It measures the rotations and position of the camshaft and transfers this data to the Engine Control Module (ECM). The ECM determines when to time the spark and fuel injected into the engine for the best efficiency.

Calnetix developed a novel Graphical User Interface (GUI) to give both users and specialists an intuitive way to work with the inherent benefits of a magnetic bearing system. This GUI has been continuously refined and upgraded based on feedback from both internal and external customers. The GUI provides insight into all aspects of magnetic bearing and machine performance. It is the platform for system setup, monitoring and diagnostics:

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Thrust bearing

Our innovative AMB product models, Powerflux™ and Xcelflux™, are integral to various commercial applications, from high-efficiency blowers to high-speed compressors. We designed these products for optimized performance with features like non-contact support that minimizes vibration and advanced diagnostics that provide lower operational costs and enhanced system capabilities.

Calnetix’s active magnetic bearing product set up is easy, and it allows the user to monitor the health of the magnetic bearing system. Calnetix’s AMBs include a position sensor, a magnetic actuator and a microcontroller, making machine health monitoring and diagnostics readily accessible. With a connection to an external computer, identifying, analyzing and archiving the health and historical performance of the machine are all possible with advanced diagnostics. Health monitoring can be enhanced with the addition of Calnetix’s high frequency data capture hardware and interface.

Position sensors are critical components of any active magnetic bearing. Their role is to continuously provide the controller with accurate up-to-date information about the rotor position unaffected by the external factors. They must be immune to external factors such as speed, temperature, dust, working fluids, external magnetic and electrical fields, etc.

Calnetix’s most common backup bearing configuration is two Duplex stainless-steel pairs of angular contact ball bearings preloaded face-to-face (DF). This mounting configuration requires the bearing outer races to be clamped – either rigidly or via a spring – on the outer race of the bearing. Hybrid bearings are available as backup bearing options, typically fabricated from conventional SAE 52100 steel races and SiN3 balls. Backup bearings for high-speed active magnetic bearings are usually cageless and use either a grease film, dry film lubricant or a light grease fill.

Earnshaw's theorem

Magnetic bearings do not function independently; they require multiple precision components to work together in a unique system. Calnetix has carefully designed and developed all of the active magnetic bearing system components, as described below.

When you start the engine, it idles roughly if the Camshaft Position Sensor has a problem. When the ECM gets the incorrect camshaft data from the sensor, it commands the spark plugs to spark at the wrong time. This causes a misfire resulting in the rough idling.

To learn more about these and additional advantages Calnetix AMB systems can offer your application, visit our AMB Resource Page.

Calnetix utilizes an adaptive synchronous force rejection algorithm to minimize vibration transferred from the rotor to the housing. Low transmitted vibration is important in high-precision applications related to food, medical and defense industries. The benefits of low vibration transmissibility include:​​​​​​

Significant progress has been made in developing self-sensing AMBs, that combine position measurement and force generation functions into one physical component. However, such combination units have fundamental performance limitations, likely limiting their use to low-cost, low-speed machines. A conventional bearing arrangement utilizing dedicated radial and axial sensors will likely remain dominant.

The actuator in an active magnetic bearing is the electromagnet that applies a controlled force to the shaft of a machine to control its position. A radial actuator consists of a lamination stack with control coils and poles arranged to give two orthogonal axes of control. Conventional AMB actuators produce a linearizing flux using a DC current.  However, Calnetix actuators use a permanent magnet arrangement to produce a linearizing bias flux. This leads to lower losses, lower complexity, and improved compactness.  Two other common actuator configurations are a combination radial/axial actuator and a stand-alone axial actuator.

Calnetix’s active magnetic bearings present unique advantages over conventional roller or fluid-film bearings when designing high-speed rotating machinery. Unlike conventional bearings, AMBs suspend the target rotor in a magnetic field. The result is a non-contact rotor support system with extremely low friction and no contact wear. Some of the benefits of contactless magnetic bearings include:

The incorrect signal from the CPS to the fuel injector causes poor fuel combustion. This inefficiency reduces gas mileage.

Backup bearings support the rotating assembly when the magnetic bearing system is deactivated. They also provide rotor support in the event of an overload of the magnetic bearings or a failure of one of the components. During normal operation, the backup bearings are inactive, and have a small radial and axial clearance to the rotating assembly. This radial clearance is, usually on the order of 0.003”-0.009”.