Communicating magnetic flux across a gap with a rotating body

A method for exerting force on a body, the body configured to rotate, the method comprising:

• communicating an axial magnetic flux across a gap between an end facing surface of a body and a first pole adjacent the end facing surface of the body and residing apart from the body, the body having a rotational axis;
• communicating the axial magnetic flux between a lateral facing surface of the body and a second pole adjacent the lateral facing surface of the body, the body, the first pole, and the second pole magnetically coupled and defining an axial magnetic control circuit;
• communicating radial magnetic flux between the lateral facing surface of the body and a plurality of radial poles adjacent the lateral facing surface of the body, the body and the plurality of radial poles magnetically coupled and defining a plurality of radial magnetic control circuits;
• and
• communicating a bias magnetic flux between the plurality of radial poles, the lateral facing surface of the body, and at least one of the first pole or the second pole, the plurality of radial poles, the body, and at least one of the first pole or the second pole defining a magnetic bias circuit.

A rotating machine system, the system comprising:

• a body having a rotational axis;
• an electromagnetic actuator sub-assembly comprising:
• a first pole detached from the body, the first pole adjacent an end facing surface of the body and adapted to communicate an axial control magnetic flux with the end facing surface of the body across a gap disposed between the body and the first pole;
• a second pole adjacent a lateral facing surface of the body and adapted to communicate the axial control magnetic flux with the lateral facing surface of the body, the body, the first pole, and the second pole magnetically coupled and defining an axial magnetic control circuit;
• and
• a plurality of radial poles adjacent the lateral facing surface of the body and adapted to communicate a plurality of radial control magnetic fluxes with the lateral facing surface of the body, the body and the plurality of radial poles magnetically coupled and defining a plurality of radial magnetic control circuits, the plurality of radial poles adapted to communicate bias magnetic fluxes with the lateral facing surface of the body and at least one of the first pole or the second pole, the body, the plurality of radial poles, and at least one of the first pole or the second pole defining a magnetic bias circuit;
• one or more position sensors;
• and
• at least one control electronics package.