Design and experimental validation of a magnetically suspended planar motor with integrated contactless energy transfer system

This paper presents the design and experimental validation of a magnetically suspended planar motor with integrated contactless energy transfer system. The translator of the planar motor embeds four iron-cored linear synchronous motors which magnetically suspend and propel the translator underneath a stationary checkerboard permanent magnet array. A contactless energy transfer system, by means of an inductive coupling, is integrated in the airgap of the planar motor to provide energy to the wirelessly moving translator, and, thereby, removes moving cables. A prototype of the planar motor has been manufactured. The translator is controlled in six DOF, is accelerated with 5 m/s2 in the x- and y-direction, and has a position and rotation error of 15 μm and 200 μrad. The integrated contactless energy transfer system has an average output power of 230 W, which varies 32% along the stroke of the moving translator and has an efficiency of 71%.