Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs) provide low-loss high reliability bearings suited to
extremely high rotational speeds. AMBs involve a combination of very fast feedback control,
accurate numerical modelling of system dynamics, high-bandwidth power electronics & good
magnetic circuit design, consequently the development costs of single sets have remained
extremely high. AMBs are presently found either in medium-value product sets (eg high
vacuum pumps for semicon/physics labs or high speed air compression sets) where reasonable
volumes pay back development costs over many thousands of units or in large high-value
machinery where the lack of alternatives justifies extremely high costs (eg pipeline
compressors, steam-turbines in submarines). It is not unusual for individual large bearing sets
to cost £250K to the OEM.
A unique business opportunity now exists due to the total cost of reproducing multiple
bearings to a given design can be comparatively low to a particular class of customers – those
with intrinsic capability to develop & manufacture electromagnetic machines. The missing
element for these customers is the controller implementation & electromagnetic design
capability. JPE Systems intends to provide this “know-how” through the application of
sophisticated rotordynamic modelling, novel magnet coil windings and the exploitation of lowcost
high-volume controller hardware & power-electronics. The proven JPE Systems “toolkit”
will enable OEMS to integrate in-house and at significantly reduced cost AMBs in
products such as medium-speed (