The Bearingless Centrifugal Pump - A Perfect Example of a Mechatronics System

Abstract The paper describes a simple and compact magnetically levitated centrifugal pump, which is based on the so called bearingless motor technology. Produced at high quantities, it can be fabricated for less than 50 US$. Since motor torque, radial and axial forces and rotor position are available in a bearingless motor without use of additional sensors, many interesting process parameters and systems conditions can be determined in this pump. The underlying principle will be explained at the examples of flow-rate, differential pressure and viscosity. In conjunction with these inherent measuring and monitoring features, the bearingless pump can be not only the best but also the most cost effective systems solution in many cases.