Calnetix to Present Paper at ASNE Intelligent Ships Symposium

Paper Demonstrates Application of Magnetic Bearings to the U.S. Navy High Efficiency Super Capacity Chiller Compressor

CERRITOS, Calif. – April 25, 2023 – Calnetix Technologies will present a paper on active magnetic bearing technology at the upcoming American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) Intelligent Ships Symposium (ISS), May 1-3 in Philadelphia, PA.

The paper entitled “Application of Magnetic Bearings to the Navy HESC Chiller Compressor: Vibration and Shock Modelling and Testing” will be presented by Larry Hawkins, Calnetix’s co-founder and Director of Technology for Magnetic Bearings. Co-authors are Calnetix’s Manager of Rotordynamics and AMB controls Rasish Khatri; Johnson Controls Navy Systems’ Engineering Manager Koman Nambiar; and U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command’s Mechanical Engineers Kevin Wiley, Alberto Tecce and Haley Galloway.

The paper demonstrates the applicability of magnetic bearings and a robust touchdown bearing system to a critical naval application, which is the HESC chiller system. This application posed unique design challenges related to external vibration and shock requirements. The Johnson Controls Navy Systems’ compressor was required to meet both vibration and shock requirements as a stand-alone unit and later as part of the operating chiller system. The paper summarizes these two requirements, shows how the system was modelled to simulate each of these tests and the comparison of the predicted and measured results.

"Calnetix's Powerflux™ magnetic bearings allow the compressor to operate without the use of oil for lubrication, which 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,” said Vatche Artinian, CEO of Calnetix. “The variable speed drive and magnetic bearing system with key components designed and supplied by Calnetix, enabled the U.S. Navy HESC Chiller System designed & manufactured by Johnson Controls Navy Systems’, to achieve a 85% increase in the cooling density, a significant increase, along with improved reliability and operating efficiency.”

The HESC chiller is intended to be installed on various types of naval surface ships, including the Arleigh Burke class destroyer (DDG), San Antonio class landing platform/dock (LPD), and the Constellation class frigate (FFG).

The ISS is a biennial naval engineering conference that offers technical presentations, expert panels, and networking opportunities to the community of professionals. The emphasis of this year's symposium will be on recent advances in intelligent systems and the challenges that lie ahead for the next generation of intelligent ships.

About Calnetix Technologies

Calnetix Technologies, LLC (“Calnetix”), headquartered in Cerritos, Calif., is focused on Innovation That Drives Industries®. The company specializes in high-performance, high-speed motor generators and best-in-class advanced magnetic bearings and control systems. Calnetix’s patented, underlying technologies, which have been in use since the company’s inception in 1998, have made Calnetix a world leader in the design and production of high-speed machines. The company’s overall technology portfolio and system integration capabilities have led to development and production contracts with industry leaders and the start of many successful subsidiaries that focus on unique niche markets.