Eddy current magnetic levitation. Models and experiments

Author

Thompson, Mark T.

Author_Institution

Electr. Eng., Worcester Polytech. Inst., MA, USA

Volume

19

Issue

1

fYear

2000

Firstpage

40

Lastpage

44

Abstract

We present a simple demonstration of eddy-current magnetic levitation using a small copper coil, energized with 60 Hz AC and levitated over an aluminum plate. The processes that generate magnetic forces are identified using Maxwell´s equations. Through this experiment, a method for determining lift-off power, levitation height and suspension resonant frequency is shown. The principles outlined in this article have numerous applications to magnetic levitation, induction heating and other electrodynamic processes involving induced eddy currents. Scaling laws show how to size a suspension conductor and power supply for a given levitated load

Keywords

Maxwell equations; coils; eddy currents; electromagnetic induction; inductance measurement; magnetic forces; magnetic levitation; 60 Hz; Maxwell´s equations; aluminum plate; copper coil; critical inductance measurements; eddy current magnetic levitation; electrodynamic processes; induced eddy currents; lift-off power; magnetic forces generation; power supply; scaling laws; suspension conductor; suspension resonant frequency; Aluminum; Coils; Copper; Eddy currents; Electrodynamics; Induction generators; Magnetic forces; Magnetic levitation; Maxwell equations; Resonant frequency;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Potentials, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0278-6648

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/45.825642

Filename

825642