Ferrous Floatation [Ask the experts]

Author

Knospe, C.R.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Mech. & Aerosp. Eng., Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Volume

28

Issue

3

fYear

2008

fDate

6/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

18

Lastpage

20

Abstract

In this issue of IEEE Control Systems Magazine, we invite Carl Knospe to respond to a query on magnetic levitation. He answers the question ´In my control systems textbook, one of the examples of feedback control is a magnetically levitated ball. An electromagnet above the ball is used to control its position. I have also seen a lab experiment of this kind advertised for sale. Is this just a neat toy or could it be used in a practical application? Why is a control system necessary? Couldn´t levitation be achieved with only permanent magnets, which would use less power? Finally, are electromagnetic systems hard to control?´

Keywords

electric variables control; feedback; magnetic levitation; magnetic variables control; control system; electromagnetic systems; feedback control; ferrous floatation; magnetic levitation; magnetically levitated ball; Coils; Control systems; Electromagnetic forces; Electromagnets; Force control; Force sensors; Magnetic levitation; Motion control; Open loop systems; System testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Control Systems, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1066-033X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MCS.2008.920951

Filename

4518899