Zero Power Levitation Control of a Magnetically Levitated Linear Slider Platform with Non-Contact Power Supply

A magnetically levitated linear slider platform with a non-contact power supply method is presented in this paper. The non-contact power supply was achieved using an open end generator with a plastic core. The objectives of this paper is to present FEM analysis of the open end generator and initial observations from the experimental prototype. The rotor of the open end generator was mounted on the stationary structure of the system and the rotor includes 6 magnetic pole pairs mounted on the surface of the rotor. The levitated platform was constructed by mounting four hybrid electromagnets on four corners of a single rigid rectangular steel plate. The cogging torques introduced by the open end generator on the levitated platform was investigated using FEM method and the results presented. Levitation of the platform was achieved while open end generator is producing electrical power. The performance of the levitated platform with the open end generator was experimentally measured and presented. The rotor of the open end generator was rotated at 1000rpm. The amount of total root mean square electrical power dissipated through 19Ω load resistors by an open end generator with plastic core was 35W. The levitated platform achieved less than 0.25W power consumption per hybrid electromagnet during steady state operation. Estimated power consumption by the sensors and the electronic control boards used in the experimental platform was approximately 15W. The results suggest that the open end generator can produce sufficient amount of power to support platform levitation and control.