Patent ID: 7963748

Claim:
A centrifugal air compressor comprising: a rotary shaft supported by a magnetic bearing having electromagnets; a rotary vane connected to the rotary shaft; a pressure volute for encompassing the rotary vane and also compressing air; and a suction port for drawing air into the pressure volute, wherein air drawn in through the suction port into the pressure volute is compressed by rotation of the rotary vane, the centrifugal air compressor further comprising: a heater configured and positioned to heat at least one of the pressure volute and the rotary vane; and a controller configured for controlling energization of the electromagnets of the magnetic bearing, prior to the time of starting the operation of the centrifugal air compressor, to vibrate the rotary shaft, and having means for starting the operation of the centrifugal air compressor in response to a determination that the vibration amplitude of the rotary shaft, due to vibrations resulting from the control of the electromagnets to vibrate the rotary shaft, exceeds a predetermined amplitude value.