Magnetic suspension system by flux path control using rotary actuator

Issue title: Selected Papers from the 14th International Symposium on Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics (ISEM 2009), Part I

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sun, Feng^a | Oka, Koich^{a; *} | Saibara, Yuuta^a

Affiliations: [a] Kochi University of Technology, Miyanokuchi 185, Tosayamada-cho, Kochi, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Koich Oka, Kochi University of Technology, Miyanokuchi 185, Tosayamada-cho, Kochi, Japan. Tel.: +81 887 57 2310; Fax: +81 887 57 2320; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This paper proposes a magnetic suspension system using a permanent magnet (PM) and a rotary actuator. In this suspension system, the suspension force is controlled by a variable magnetic flux path mechanism where the flux path is changed by varying the angle of the PM. The PM is magnetized in radial direction and driven by a rotary actuator. This system can change the magnetic polarity of the stator and generate a very small suspension force through rotating the PM to some special angles. Since the fixed cores sustain the gravitational force of the suspended object and the rotary actuator has a larger reducer, this system also can generate a very big suspension force comparing with the input force. In this paper, first the prototype and the principle of this magnetic suspension system are explained. And in order to verify the proposed principle, the IEM (integral element method) analysis and basic experiments for magnetic flux density and attractive force are performed. The model is created, and the numerical simulation is carried out. Finally, suspension experiments are executed, and the results support our proposal.

Keywords: Magnetic suspension, permanent magnet, rotary actuator, flux path control, IEM analysis

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2010-1184

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 33, no. 1-2, pp. 769-776, 2010