Patent attributes
A method for operating an electromotive drive of a textile machine, comprising a contactlessly mounted rotor and catch bearings. The rotor rests on one catch bearing prior to initial operation, and is spaced therefrom by an air gap during stationary operation. A control device allows the rotor to be held in a force-free floating state during stationary operation. The method executes the following steps: (a) inputting an output signal from the control device for maintaining the force-free floating state during operation; (b) calculating the air gap by evaluating the output signal; (c) comparing the calculated value with predetermined limit values; and (d) deactuating the drive when the limit values are passed. The control device comprises a position sensor with at least one sensor coil, at least one actuator coil, a position controller and an integrator, at which the output signal is obtained to determine the air gap.