STUDY OF ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BALL-BEARING MOTOR

The electrical characteristics of the ball bearing electric motor are studied. It is found that the ball bearing behaves like a motor when it starts rotating by itself at high currents, that is, its counter-EMF depends on ω, the angular velocity of the shaft and inner race. Its behavior at low currents is also explained when it is not self rotating and it is rotating with the help of a conventional motor. It is found that, in the latter case, it does not behave like a generator. We also propose a theory, based on the electromagnetic interactions, developed within each ball, which explains the action of the ball bearing as a motor. These interactions are caused by the primary currents and magnetic fields of the ball and the effects of the induced magnetic field of the current of the shaft of the motor. © 1990 IEEE