Rotary atomizer having electro-magnetic bearings and a permanent magnet rotor

Abstract

An improved rotary disc atomizer for use in, for example, spray dryers or congealers is disclosed. The rotary disc may be directly mounted to the shaft of a high-speed electrical motor. The high-speed electrical motor comprises a permanent magnet rotor and electro-magnetic bearings. The electro-magnetic bearings may be supported by one or more upper/lower bearing housings and used to enable frictionless support of the shaft/rotor and rotary disc. The atomizer system may further comprise a gas distributor enabled to dynamically adjust the velocity at which the gas leaves the radial vanes and meets with the atomized droplets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotary atomizer comprising:
 an electric motor, said electric motor having a stator and a rotor;   a shaft vertically installed;   one or more magnetic bearings, said one or more magnetic bearings configured to provide frictionless radial and axial support to the shaft; and   a rotating disc installed at a lower end of the shaft, said rotating disc configured to spray liquid into the form of fine particles