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, r]]>