Development of fuzzy logic controller on a magnetic bearing system

A magnetic bearing system is a device that uses electromagnetic forces to support a rotor without mechanical contact. The force exerted on the rotor by an active magnetic bearing is determined by the current flow in the magnet coil. The focus of this project will be on the stability and control of the MBC 500 system test bed constructed by Magnetic Moments Incorporated. The MBC 500 system contains a stainless steel shaft or rotor, which can be levitated using eight horseshoe electromagnets, four at each end of the rotor. A controller, which is able to stabilize the position of the rotor by varying the electromagnet forces produced by the electromagnets at the end of the shaft will be developed. Here, a rotor is assumed as a rigid body. A fuzzy logic controller as an alternative control strategy using Sugeno's inference method will be designed in controlling and stabilizing the position of the rotor for the system.