Synchrony Technology Blog

At Synchrony, we are passionate about massively increasing the use of magnetic bearings for a broad range of applications. We believe our approach to improving the performance, simplicity, size, and economics allows the machine designer to use magnetic bearings for applications that were previously not feasible. One example is pumps, which are found in large facilities such as oil refineries in quantities of thousands. Bearing failures currently limit the reliability and life of pumps for many applications. There are many other opportunities for magnetic bearings to pay dividends in pumps.

At Synchrony, we have seen increased interest in using magnetic bearings to replace oil-lubricated bearings in pumps. For pumps currently supported on ball bearings, magnetic bearings offer improvements in machine vibration and reliability. For pumps supported on fluid film bearings and fed with pressurized oil, magnetic bearings allow the complete elimination of the oil lubrication system, including the oil reservoir, pumps, filters, heat exchangers, and piping. Often, the economics to replace a fluid-film bearing with magnetic bearings can be justified solely on the acquisition cost of the oil lubrication system. In addition, magnetic bearings offer higher efficiency, improved control of vibration, reductions in maintenance, improvements in reliability, and elimination of the cost and hazards of handling, storing, and disposing of oil.

Synchrony's Fusion® bearings were designed to be easily integrated into machines such as pumps and motors. With all the control electronics embedded into the bearing, the requirements for wiring, connectors, and space for an external controller are all greatly diminished. Available in a range of standard sizes, the task of retrofitting an existing machine or integrating into a new machine is greatly reduced in scope and cost.

For a pump that is driven by an electric motor, the motor rotor can also be supported on magnetic bearings. The entire machine train can now be completely free of oil, and the efficiency, vibration, reliability, and maintenance advantages extend also to the motor. Using its inherent monitoring features, the magnetic bearing system also may provide machine protection and health monitoring for the entire train.

With recent advances in magnetic bearings, we expect the number of pumps supported on magnetic bearings to significantly increase.