Basic characteristics of magnet wheels with rotating permanent magnets

Two new types of magnet wheels are proposed for both magnetic levitation and linear drives. The permanent magnets (PMs) of the magnet wheel are rotated over the conducting plate to obtain an induction type of repulsive lift force which is useful for simple and self-stabilizing magnetic levitation. The drug torque induced simultaneously is put to good use to obtain thrust by two simple ways. In one type, called "tilt type", the surface of rotating PM is tilted against the surface of the conducting plate. In another type, called "partial overlap type", the rotator installed PM is set over near the edge of the conducting plate. The static characteristics of the magnet wheels are confirmed by experimental work and approximate analyses.<>