Magnetically levitated linear slider with a non-contact power transfer method

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Annasiwaththa, Buddhika Imantha^* | Oka, Koichi | Harada, Akinori

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kochi University of Technology, Tosayamada, Kami, Kochi 782-8502, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Buddhika Imantha Annasiwaththa, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kochi University of Technology, Tosayamada, Kami, Kochi 782-8502, Japan. Tel.: +81 0887 53 1130; Fax: +81 0887 57 2000; E-mail:annasi@mme.ruh.ac.lk

Abstract: A magnetically levitated linear slider (MagLevLS) with a non-contact power transfer method is proposed. The levitated platform was designed as a four-point suspended rigid metal plate. Magnetic levitation and zero power control under forces introduced by the non-contact power transfer method was experimentally investigated and presented. The presented MagLevLS is expected to use as a short-range transport system in a clean operating environment. An open-end generator was purposed to achieve non-contact power transfer. The open-end generator design was analyzed using FEM and experimental data obtained from an experimental prototype was presented. The proposed MagLevLS platform uses four hybrid electromagnets (HEMs) as actuators for levitation. A PD controller with integral feedback was used to achieve quasi-zero power operation of the levitated platform. A single rigid platform was used to mount all four HEMs, and a 0.25 W steady state power consumption for per HEM was achieved under disturbances introduced by the open-end generator. According to the results, MagLevLS can achieve stable levitation under cogging forces and generate sufficient power for continuous operation.

Keywords: Magnetic levitation, non-contact power transfer, nonlinear systems, zero power control

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-160097

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 223-237, 2017