Proposal of Flux-Path Control Magnetic Suspension using Flux Concentration

The concept of flux concentration was applied to the flux-path control magnetic suspension to increase suspension force. In the proposed system, control plates made of permanent magnet were used instead of ferromagnetic control plates in the conventional flux-interrupted type. The magnets were arranged to concentrate the flux from the magnetic source to the floator. Such effects were confirmed by magnetic field analysis. An experimental study shows that the suspension force achieved by the fluxconcentrated type was approximately 2.5 times that achieved by the flux-interrupted type with the same size. In addition, contactless suspension was achieved by applying PD control in the flux-concentrated type suspension system.