Magnetic thrust bearing systems

A thrust bearing system comprising:

• a first thrust pad and a second thrust pad, the first thrust pad opposing the second thrust pad;
• a thrust disc positioned between the first thrust pad and the second thrust pad, the thrust disc including at least one first magnet, the at least one first magnet positioned on a surface of the thrust disc, wherein the thrust disc includes:
• a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall extending from a surface of the thrust disc, the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall protruding radially outward from a central axis of the thrust bearing system, the second wall positioned between the first wall and the third wall, the first wall facing the first thrust pad, the third wall facing the second thrust pad;
• wherein the at least one first magnet is embedded in a surface of the first thrust pad, the first magnet extending along the surface of the first thrust pad, the surface of the first thrust pad facing the thrust disc;
• a second magnet embedded in a surface of the second thrust pad, the second magnet extending along the surface of the second thrust pad, the surface of the second thrust pad facing the thrust disc;
• a third magnet and a fourth magnet embedded in the thrust disc, the third and fourth magnets positioned on opposing sides of the thrust disc, the third magnet facing the first magnet, the fourth magnet facing the second magnet;
• and
• a fourth magnet surrounding the third wall and the at least one first magnet surrounding the first wall.

A method comprising:

• in response to axial movement of a thrust disc in a thrust bearing system, aligning a first aperture of a sleeve and at least one channel of the thrust disc, the at least one channel permitting fluid flow to a side of the thrust disc, the sleeve positioned between thrust pads of the thrust bearing system, at least a portion of the sleeve blocking fluid flow through a second channel of the thrust disc;
• moving the thrust disc in a direction opposite of the axial movement via first and second magnets, the first magnet positioned on the thrust disc, the second magnet positioned on the sleeve, the first magnet and the second magnet having the same polarity;
• and
• aligning the thrust disc to a center position via first and second springs, the first spring positioned between the sleeve and a first one of the thrust pads and the second spring positioned between the sleeve and a second one of the thrust pads, the aligned thrust disc to permit fluid flow through the first aperture and a second aperture of the sleeve.