In this Master thesis an active magnetic bearing is modeled, and verified on an experimental setup. The results and tools will be used, by the DeepWind research group, to determine the applicability and feasibility for the use in offshore vertical axis wind turbines. If deemed applicable the models can be expanded and scaled to design the full scale bearing arrangement, and its dynamic response to the loads simulated.
For model verification an experimental setup is designed and built from scratch, where a digital signal processor controls nine coils by use of power electronics. As feedback both currents, forces and positions are utilized. For position feedback four inductive sensors are designed and manufactured. The electric, magnetic and mechanical models are verified simultaneously on this setup, by comparing the non-linear response with experimental data. A range of control strategies are designed, tested and compared. Finally a preliminary design for a full-scale bearing is designed and presented.