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Glenn Research Center

Magnetic Bearing System for Gas Turbine Engine

Synchrony, Inc.

Roanoke, VA

High Temperature, Fault-Tolerant Magnetic Bearing and Monitoring System.

• Demonstrated actuator performance
  to 1100°F.
• Demonstrated adaptive, inertial balance control system to 12,000 rpm.
• Successful demonstration of fault-tolerance operation.
• Demonstrated innovative capacitance sensor to 1100° F.
• Demonstrated monitoring system for rotordynamic health of machine, including estimation of size and location of unbalance.

• Commercial sales of magnetic bearings - $612,500 to Rolls-Royce Allison, General Electric, Lion Precision.
• Strategic alliance with Rolls-Royce Allison to develop gas turbine engines with magnetic bearings.
• Spin-off industrial controls company with cumulative revenues exceeding $6 million.

• Technology is currently used in Department of Defense programs to develop Advanced Turbine Engine Gas Generator (ATEGG).
• Applicable to future More Electric Engine programs for manned and unmanned aircraft.
• Magnetic bearings suitable for industrial compressors, pumps, fans, motors, metal-forming machinery.

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