Title :
Eddy current magnetic levitation. Models and experiments
Author :
Thompson, Mark T.
Author_Institution :
Electr. Eng., Worcester Polytech. Inst., MA, USA
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;
Journal_Title :
Potentials, IEEE
