Measurement System of a Magnetic Suspension System for a Jet Engine Rotor

This paper presents laboratory results on the measurement system of a magnetic suspension bearing system for a jet engine rotor of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Magnetic suspension technology enables continuous diagnostics of a rotary machine and eliminates of the negative properties of classical bearings. This rotor-bearing system consists of two radial magnetic bearings and one axial (thrust) magnetic bearing. The concept of the bearing system with a magnetically suspended rotor for UAV is presented in this paper. Rotor geometric and inertial characteristics were assumed according to the parameters of a TS-21 jet engine. Preliminary studies of the measurement system of rotor engines were made on a laboratory stand with homopolar active magnetic bearings. The measurement system consisted of strain gauges, accelerometers, and contactless proximity sensors. During the research, strains were registered with the use of a wireless data acquisition (DAQ) system. Measurements were performed for different operational parameters of rotational rotor speed, control system parameters, and with the presence of disturbance signals from the control system. In this paper, obtained operational characteristics are presented and discussed.