Research & Development Magnetic Bearings

We specialize in the research & development of active and passive magnetic bearings and suspension systems. We can adapt our proven proprietary designs or research & develop new magnetic bearings tailored for your application.

Check out some of our designs for:

Passive Magnetic Bearings

Passive magnetic bearings use opposed pairs of permanent magnets on the rotor and stator to establish the bearing’s stiffness. Inherently simple, these bearings do not require any shaft position sensors or an electronic controller for operation.

Active magnetic bearings offer higher load-carrying capability and can accommodate higher temperatures. Their electronic controllers tune bearing stiffness and damping properties "on the fly," allowing for adjustments to system dynamics that affect resonant frequencies and reduce transmitted vibration. Our proprietary virtual balancing method adjusts the shaft’s running position to minimize vibration.

Magnetically Levitated Blood Pumps

We're working on a family of blood pumps that will offer cardiac surgeons and their patients a significant alternative to pumps supported by conventional bearings:

• Large bearing gaps
• No mechanical contacting seals
• Reduced impact on blood hemolysis and clotting

Check out some of the pumps that we're developing with our clinical partner, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, under SBIR funding from the National Institutes of Health.

• Ventricular Assist
  High Efficiency Blood Pump
  Inherently Controlled Blood Pump
• Cardiac Minimally Invasive Surgery
  Miniature Catheter Pump

Check out our new pump concepts too.
Self-sufficient Magnetic Suspension System

Hybrid Bearings

Hybrid bearings combine the advantages of foil bearings and magnetic bearings. At low speeds and high loads, the magnetic bearing provides lift, support, and damping. At higher speeds, the foil bearings provide enhanced load-carrying capability, and also serve as touchdown bearings in the event of a power interruption to the magnetic bearings.

For further information on bearings, contact our Albany office at +1.518.456.9919.