This paper presents an evaluation of mechanical contact less magnetic bearing against the conventional industry standard rolling element bearing in direct drive electrical generators. The evaluations are performed based on the energy consideration and their potential contribution in structural mass reduction of rotor. A cylindrical rolling element bearing is chosen to represent the conventional type and an approximate modelling of magnetic bearing is carried out to evaluate them. A finite element analysis in the rotor structure is performed to estimate its mass and to analyse any potential saving in mass by the use of magnetic bearing.
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