Investigation of an Electrodynamic Magnetic Levitation Device

This study is done in the area of magnetic levitation, with future application for transportation electrification. The type of the device designed and implemented in this work, is known as an electrodynamic magnetic levitation system (EDS). First, a simulation model of the EDS is developed, which employs Halbach arrays, that are a special arrangement of permanent magnets, on rotational discs (rotors), placed above a conductive plate. The finite element analysis model of EDS is designed, and simulated using ANSYS Maxwell™ software. Second, an electrodynamic levitation device was designed, built and experimentally investigated. Proof of concept was carried out through modeling, simulation and experiments, on a scaled-down built physical model, using speed controlled permanent magnet AC motors, to drive the Halbach rotors.