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About the Synchrony Technology Blog
About the Technology Blog

Magnetic bearing-based technology is being shaped and changed by applications all over the world. Here's where users of this exciting technology - and anyone else interested in rotating machinery - can share their thoughts with Synchrony Founder Dr. Victor Iannello.

 

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Magnetic Bearings in HVAC Compressors

by Victor Iannello  |  December 1, 2009  |  12:14 pm

Daikin McQuay recently introduced its model WME "frictionless" chiller with Synchrony's magnetic bearings in the size range of 400 - 550 tons. This compliments a smaller "frictionless" chiller that McQuay has been supplying for several years and which has enjoyed success in the HVAC market. We have begun to supply McQuay with 150 drive trains as part of an expected order for 500 drive trains. These 500 drive trains follow an initial run of 75 units that have already been produced. Clearly, this marks an important milestone for Synchrony as well as for the magnetic bearing industry.

Electrically-driven compressors that use magnetic bearings, high speed motors, and high frequency power converters offer efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefits compared to oil-lubricated systems that use fluid-film bearings, 3600-rpm motors, and gears. What makes Synchrony's products especially attractive for these applications is our focus on performance, simplicity, size, and value (see The Synchrony Manifesto). Ultimately, this translates into increased market penetration for the OEM and lower life cycle costs for the end user.

We at Synchrony believe that the remarkable technology shifts that we are seeing in the HVAC industry will also take place in other industries. External factors such as higher energy costs and higher costs of environmental regulation will accelerate the acceptance and penetration of magnetically-supported rotating machinery. Although the Oil and Gas industry currently accepts magnetic bearings for certain classes of machines, the number of turbomachines supplied on magnetic bearings today accounts for a small fraction of the total number of turbomachines that are produced every year. We expect to see further penetration into the Oil and Gas and HVAC industries. Other industries that will be transformed by rotating equipment on magnetic bearings include Aerospace and Defense, Industrial Gas, and Renewable Energy.

We are pleased to take a leading role in this transformation.

 

Comments (3)
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Tags for this post tags:   bearing technology     hvac  
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Thank you for your comments, Josh and George. We agree that the technology has broad applicability. People often ask me how we managed to achieve the level of miniaturization and integration of our Fusion bearing. The answer is that MANY design innovations were required that relate to electromagnetics, heat transfer, position sensing, shielding of EMI, control algorithms, etc. Let's continue future posts related to the New York Times article here: http://www.synchrony.com/blog/11/The-New-York-Times-features-Synchrony-and-Fusion®-magnetic-bearings/ --Victor
by Victor Iannello  |  January 5, 2010  |  10:47 am
I agree... I read the same NYT piece. The first time I learned of magnetic bearing technology was 15 years ago in an issue of Discover Magazine. At that time the main application seemed to be industrial fly-wheels (or at least that was the subject of the article.) The venture capitalist in me dreams of this kind of innovation... something that could eventually find it's way into nearly every type of industrial application. Once economies of scale have been reached, I'm certain the market will extend into home appliances such as refrigerator pumps etc. Much as computers have become cheep enough to replace more conventional control systems in the same gagits. Any chance of taking the company public? BTW I am an engineer, not a venture capitalist. Best of Luck, --Josh
by Josh  |  January 4, 2010  |  1:02 am
I've just read the New York Times article on your self-contained magnetic bearings. I'm not an expert in this field, but as someone with some previous background in science, this is a really elegant achievement!
by George Sadowsky  |  January 3, 2010  |  9:19 am
 
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