Flux Path Control Magnetic Suspension

A new magnetic suspension system equipped with flux path control mechanisms was proposed in this paper. The mechanism consists of a ferromagnetic plate and an actuator for driving the plate. The lateral position of the plate, which is inserted into the gap between a permanent magnet and a suspended object (floator), is changed by the actuator. The flux from the permanent magnet to the floator and resultantly the attractive force acting on the floator are controlled with the mechanism. An experimental apparatus was fabricated which has two pairs of flux path control mechanisms. Stable suspension was realized in the apparatus. It was demonstrated that three-dimensional positioning is possible by the proposed magnetic suspension method.