HIGH SPEED INDUCTION MOTOR DRIVE WITH ACTIVE MAGNETIC BEARINGS AND SLIDING MODE DECENTRALIZED CONTROL

ABSTRACT Active magnetic bearings are credited with high performance in terms of low energy consumption, high speeds, increased reliability and low maintenance costs. This paper discusses a high-speed induction motor with active magnetic bearings: both radial and axial. The decentralized control system of active magnetic bearings is based on sliding mode variable structure principle to provide robustness to parameter detuning and perturbations. Test results on a laboratory model of 300 W and 25000 rpm motor designed and built for the scope are very promising for applications to high speed machine tools, vacuum pumps etc.