Electromagnetic thrust bearing using passive and active magnets, for coupling a rotatable member to a stationary member

An electromagnetic thrust bearing for axially flux coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising:

• thrust disc means fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member, the thrust disc means having first and second opposite, axially facing, sides;
• first means associated with the stationary member and adjacent to the first side of the thrust disc means, for generating an axially polarized, controllable electromagnetic field;
• second means associated with the stationary member and adjacent to the second side of the thrust disc means, for generating an axially polarized, controllable electromagnetic field;
• means associated with the stationary member and disposed between the first and second electromagnetic field generating means, for generating a constant flux, high density magnetic field;
• and
• means for directing substantially all magnetic flux from the first and second electromagnetic field generating means and the constant flux magnetic field generating means, axially between the thrust disc means and the stationary member, to provide controlled magnetic flux coupling of the rotatable member to the stationary member.

An electromagnetic thrust bearing for coupling a rotatable member relative to a stationary member, the thrust bearing comprising:

• a pair of axially spaced apart thrust discs fixed to and extending radially from the rotatable member;
• means associated with the stationary member, for generating a constant flux high density magnetic field linking the thrust discs to the stationary member;
• and
• means associated with the stationary member and disposed between the axially spaced apart thrust discs, for generating a controllable electromagnetic field linking the thrust discs to the stationary member;
• wherein the constant flux magnetic field generating means and the controllable electromagnetic field generating means cooperatively axially position the rotatable member relative to the stationary member.