High-speed Pumps, Blowers & Compressors

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Calnetix’s core technology has enabled many of the power and thermal management systems, such as air cycle systems (environmental controls) and vapor cycle systems, in military and commercial aircraft and in satellite and space missions.  Calnetix’s high-performance motors can utilize conventional bearings or our proprietary magnetic bearings. These systems are highly optimized and suited for airborne and space applications due to their small-size, high efficiency, high reliability, variable speed and high torque capabilities.  Motors that utilize magnetic bearings also benefit from increased mean time between failure (MTBF), maintenance-free operation, reduced noise and the ability to reach high rotational speeds. 
With the push for electrification across the aircraft industry, Calnetix is leading the charge on the development of flight worthy generators for both fixed and rotary wing applications. Calnetix has the capability to provide system level solutions for electronic auxiliary power units (APUs), starter generators, integrated drive generators, recuperators, alternators as well as variable speed constant frequency solutions. With our portfolio of protected and proven technology, Calnetix is capable of meeting any power generation and distribution system challenges or requirements. 
More electric aircraft architectures require additional cooling of electronics and power equipment, and require the transition from traditional hydraulic or pneumatic systems to electrically powered systems. Variable speed electric pumps for applications, such as liquid cooling loops, environmental control systems, electro-hydraulics or fuel pumping can all leverage Calnetix high speed motor and controller technologies. High-speed, high performance pumps reduce size and weight of related components and increase system efficiency.  
Calnetix Defense &amp; Aerospace worked with NASA to design a <a href="/case-studies/high-speed-line-blower-and-integrated-hybrid-controller-space-application">next-generation blower for a CO2 removal system</a>, which was successfully installed on the International Space Station (ISS) after completing ground testing. The magnetically levitated blower system is providing the airflow for the Four Bed Carbon Dioxide Scrubber (FBCO2) system in a microgravity space environment and has been operating continuously since February 22nd, 2023.
Calnetix’s ISS blower system includes a compact in-line blower on magnetic bearings, called Momentum™, and an integrated hybrid dual controller, called <a href="/magnetic-bearing-vsd-controller">Continuum™</a>, to drive the blower. The high-speed blower consists of a centrally located five-axis <a href="/active-magnetic-bearings">Powerflux™ AMB system</a>, backup bearings, an overhung <a href="/high-speed-electric-motor-generators">Magnaforce ™ permanent magnet motor</a> and a centrifugal impeller in a very compact package. The magnetic bearings were chosen over conventional bearings to significantly increase the performance, reliability and lifespan of the system due to its frictionless operation. It fits into the same length, width and height envelope as the foil-bearing supported blower which it is replacing. Read the detailed case study <a href="/node/1956">here</a>.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-default"><div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-03/Momentum%E2%84%A2%20In-line%20Blower%20-%20S.jpg?itok=V0BWXA_i" width="480" height="393" alt="NASA In-line Blower" class="image-style-large" /></div>
 
 </article><figcaption>                                    Momentum™ In-line Blower</figcaption></figure>

Aerospace

A significant effort is being made to improve the fuel economy and environmental friendliness of maritime fleets. Most of the efforts have been placed on the diesel engines and lubricants used for propulsion and shipboard electrical generation needs. However, there are other key shipboard system that can make a significant contribution today, such as the integration of&nbsp;<a href="/case-studies/high-efficiency-chiller-compressor-ships" title="Case study">high-efficiency compressors</a>.&nbsp;
These systems can reduce onboard chillers’ fuel consumption by better than 25 percent, increase cooling capacity by at least 50 percent, improve reliability by more than 50 percent, meet environmental objectives of reducing refrigerant leakage by 90 percent and eliminate hazardous oily waste.
As part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program, the U.S. Navy spearheaded an initiative to integrate high-efficiency small and large capacity compressors to mate with existing shipboard R-134a refrigerant chiller heat exchangers shells to dramatically improve chiller capacity and performance.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.york.com/for-your-workplace/professionals/navy" target="_blank">YORK®&nbsp;Navy Systems</a>, a Johnson Controls Company, led the chiller prototype development program.&nbsp;
The chiller compressors were comprised of a variable speed, two-stage compressor with Calnetix Technologies’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.calnetix.com/active-magnetic-bearings">Powerflux™ oil-free magnetic bearings</a>&nbsp;and a Calnetix&nbsp;<a href="https://www.calnetix.com/high-speed-electric-motor-generators">Magnaforce™ high-speed permanent magnet motor</a>. The marine chiller systems are saving 1,000 barrels of oils per year per ship, all with no change in the system’s weight or seawater chiller capacity.
In addition, the Navy chilled water plants are providing mission-critical cooling to weapons as well as command and control systems in addition to crew comfort. As these chiller systems advance to include high-energy radars and directed energy weapons, the cooling demand along with acquisition, fuel and life cycle cost will increase dramatically.
The Navy chillers are very robust and have been designed to operate for 35-50 years in extreme environments, such as weapons-effect shock, ship heavy-weather vibration and Arctic as well as tropic conditions. The high-efficiency centrifugal compressors being built under the Navy’s initiative are able to work under these circumstances while also providing space, weight, power, cost and environmental benefits.
The marine chiller systems with variable speed motor capabilities and magnetic bearings are proving to be 200 percent more effective than the existing systems for the following reasons:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.calnetix.com/active-magnetic-bearings">Powerflux™ magnetic bearings&nbsp;</a>do away with the oil lubrication system. This eliminates the need for valves and fittings that are sources of refrigerant leakages while getting rid of oil changes and the hazardous waste disposal processes. It also frees up valuable space onboard once used for oil stowage requirements.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.calnetix.com/sensorless-power-electronics" title="Case study">Vericycle™ variable speed drives</a>&nbsp;remove the complex mechanical vanes typically used to throttle compressor refrigerant flow and reduce the starting in-rush current by at least 75&nbsp;percent. Doing so, improves reliability and lowers stress to the ship’s electrical distribution system.</li>
<li>Together,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.calnetix.com/high-speed-electric-motor-generators">Magnaforce™&nbsp;PM motors</a>&nbsp;and Vericycle™ variable speed drives eliminate the need for complex and costly speed increasing gears. This allows for a compact, simple, two-stage compressor that provides improved cooling efficiency and allows the compressor-motor to be a single easily tested and replaceable module.</li>
</ul>
The ship compressor system successfully passed Navy MIL-STD-167 vibration and MIL-S-901D shock testing requirements in 2013.&nbsp; Production units&nbsp;underwent further testing in 2015.&nbsp; The first shipboard installation was completed in 2016 and multiple units continue to be installed annually.

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