Exploration of NDE Properties of AMB Supported Rotors for Structural Damage Detection

Abstract

This paper addresses self-diagnostic properties of active magnetic bearing (AMB) supported rotors for online detection of the transverse crack on a rotating shaft. In addition to pure levitation, the rotor supporting bearing also serves as an actuator that transforms current signals additionally injected into the control loop into the superimposed specially selected excitation forces into the suspended rotor. These additional excitations induce combination frequencies in the rotor response, providing unique signatures for the presence of crack. The background of theoretical modeling, experimental, and computer simulation results for the AMB supported cracked rotor with self-diagnostic excitation forces are presented and discussed.