Electromagnetic field and lifting capacity for longitudinal electromagnetic levitator

Detailed studies of the longitudinal electromagnetic levitator are presented. An appropriate electric current model for the computation of the electromagnetic force field in the levitated specimen is introduced. From this new model, the essential equations for the electromagnetic field and the lifting force field for a cylindrical sample are derived and the current density distribution is studied. Both lifting force and lifting capacity for the longitudinal electromagnetic levitator are analyzed and compared with the experimental data. The results can be used to design longitudinal electromagnetic levitators for different levitation purposes, to select suitable material for levitation, and to provide the framework for further investigation of melting phenomena and materials processing using the longitudinal electromagnetic levitator.