A simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion system and method

Abstract

The application discloses a simple structure's annular suspension electromagnetic propulsion system and method. The system comprises a centripetal-suspension system and an acceleration system. The centripetal-suspension system comprises a centripetal-suspension field coil fixed on the ground and a rotatable load end centripetal-suspension unit. The acceleration system comprises an acceleration coil fixed on the ground and a force receiving unit. The acceleration coil and the force receiving unit are located on the axis of the load end centripetal-suspension unit, and the load end centripetal-suspension unit is connected with the force receiving unit through a connecting unit. The centripetal-suspension field coil is used for generating a centripetal-suspension magnetic field in an annular area with a certain height and width. The centripetal-suspension field is used for ensuring that the suspension force is enhanced along the vertical direction downward and is reduced upward. The current in the load end centripetal-suspension unit and the centripetal field generate a centripetal force pointing to the center of the annular area, which offsets the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the load and accelerates together with the load. The application greatly improves the acceleration capacity of the system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electromagnetic technology and relates to an electromagnetic propulsion method, particularly a simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion method. Background Technology

[0002] Reliable and energy-efficient electromagnetic propulsion technology has transformative potential applications in high-speed, high-energy loading, energy storage, and payload transfer from the ground to space. Currently, related devices at home and abroad mainly use chemical fuels or electromagnetic linear propulsion, and the payload can only be accelerated once. There is still huge room for improvement in terms of launch cost and maximum launch speed.

[0003] A prime example of ring propulsion technology is the rocket rotation launch technology proposed by Spinlaunch in the United States. This technology aims to accelerate the rocket to 5,000 kilometers per hour within a ring-shaped vacuum orbit before launch, thereby reducing rocket launch costs. During acceleration within the ring, high-strength carbon fiber cantilever arms overcome the enormous centrifugal force. There are also related applications in flywheel energy storage technology. Increasing the energy storage capacity of a flywheel requires increasing its rotational speed, but there is an upper limit to the flywheel's rotational speed, determined by the properties of the materials used to manufacture it. To improve the energy storage density of the flywheel, high-strength materials are needed, making composite materials the preferred choice for flywheel energy storage.

[0004] The superconducting magnet team at the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has proposed a ring-shaped superconducting electromagnetic propulsion scheme that allows a load to be accelerated multiple times within a ring. This scheme utilizes electromagnetic force to create a ring-shaped levitation-acceleration structure, enabling the load to be repeatedly accelerated within the ring until a predetermined speed is reached. A ring-shaped coil at the load end is placed at a specific position in the magnetic field. The current in this coil interacts with a secondary field to generate a centripetal force that counteracts the centrifugal force generated by the load's rotation, and interacts with a levitation field to generate a levitation force that counteracts the load's gravity.

[0005] In Spinlaunch's current rotary launch technology, the payload's mass and maximum speed are ultimately greatly limited by the cantilever's mechanical strength, as the high-strength carbon fiber cantilever overcomes the enormous centrifugal force. In other flywheel energy storage systems, both domestically and internationally, the centrifugal force is borne by the composite material used to manufacture the flywheel.

[0006] The patent application titled "A Circular Suspension Electromagnetic Propulsion System and Method" submitted by the Superconducting Magnet Team of the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has a relatively complex structure and can be further simplified.

[0007] To address these shortcomings, we propose a simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion scheme. Utilizing fewer superconducting coils and a simpler system structure, it can provide extremely high centripetal force for high-speed levitation and rotation of the load, overcoming the limitations of material mechanical strength. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion method.

[0009] This invention relates to a ring-shaped levitation electromagnetic propulsion system, characterized in that it comprises two main subsystems: a centripetal-levitation subsystem and an acceleration subsystem. The centripetal-levitation subsystem utilizes a simplified coil structure to provide a strong centripetal force distributed throughout the ring for the load, allowing the load to be repeatedly accelerated within the system by the acceleration subsystem until a predetermined speed is reached.

[0010] 1) The centripetal-levitation subsystem consists of a fixed centripetal-levitation magnetic field coil and a rotatable load-end centripetal-levitation unit. Wherein:

[0011] a) The centripetal-levitation magnetic field consists of a set of coils arranged in a specific pattern, along with their power supply and control devices, fixed to the ground. This coil assembly can generate a specific magnetic field configuration (centripetal-levitation magnetic field) within a ring-shaped region of a certain height and width. This magnetic field mainly contains a vertical magnetic field component (centripetal field) and a certain radial magnetic field component (levitation field) at specific locations.

[0012] b) The centripetal-levitation unit at the load end achieves closed-loop operation during acceleration via an ultra-low resistance superconducting connector. The operating current can be generated by induction from changes in the centripetal-levitation field or by charging from a dedicated power supply.

[0013] c) The centripetal-suspended unit at the load end is placed at a specific position in the centripetal-suspended field. The current in this coil interacts with the centripetal field to generate a centripetal force, which counteracts the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the load.

[0014] 2) The acceleration subsystem consists of an acceleration coil fixed to the ground and a force-bearing unit. The force-bearing unit is connected to the centripetal-suspended unit at the load end via a cantilever or other mechanical connection structure. Wherein:

[0015] a) The acceleration coil consists of two sets of coaxially placed coils, their power supply, and control system, fixed to the ground and kept connected to the power supply during operation. During operation, the magnetic field configuration can be changed by adjusting the current, causing the force-bearing unit and the centripetal-suspended unit connected to the cantilever to accelerate sequentially. The force-bearing unit is a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic coil.

[0016] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0017] A simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion system, characterized in that it includes a centripetal-levitation subsystem and an acceleration subsystem;

[0018] The centripetal-suspension subsystem includes a centripetal-suspension field coil 1 fixed to the ground and a rotatable load-end centripetal-suspension unit 2;

[0019] The centripetal-levitation field coil 1 is used to generate a centripetal-levitation magnetic field in an annular region with a certain height and width. The centripetal-levitation magnetic field includes a centripetal field in the vertical direction and a certain levitation field at a set position to provide levitation force for the load. The centripetal-levitation field is used to ensure that the levitation force increases downward and decreases upward as the load moves vertically, so that the load adjusts its levitation state automatically as the centripetal field increases, maintaining the balance between the levitation force and the load's own weight, and returning to a stable state when the load deviates or tilts in the vertical or horizontal direction.

[0020] The centripetal-suspension unit 2 at the load end operates in a closed loop. The current inside it interacts with the suspension field to generate a levitation force to counteract the gravity of the load end ring coil and the load. It interacts with the centripetal field to generate a centripetal force pointing towards the center of the ring region, which counteracts the centrifugal force generated by the load rotation and accelerates together with the load in one revolution.

[0021] The acceleration subsystem includes an acceleration coil 3 fixed to the ground and a force-receiving unit 4; the load-end centripetal-suspension unit 2 is connected to the force-receiving unit 4 through a connecting unit;

[0022] The accelerating coil 3 is used to provide an accelerating magnetic field, so that the load accelerates one revolution at a time;

[0023] The force-receiving unit 4 is used to receive force in the magnetic field generated by the acceleration coil 3, and the load end centripetal-suspending unit 2 is accelerated one revolution at a time through the connecting unit;

[0024] The acceleration coil 3 and the force-receiving unit 4 are located inside the centripetal-levitation field coil 1.

[0025] Furthermore, the load-end centripetal-levitation unit 2 is located inside the centripetal-levitation field coil 1 and is used to provide the centripetal force.

[0026] Furthermore, the centripetal-levitation field coil 1 includes a set of ring coils placed coaxially at the top and bottom; when the ring coil is energized, a centripetal field in the vertical direction is generated inside the ring coil, and a certain levitation field is generated at a set position.

[0027] Furthermore, the load-end centripetal-suspended unit 2 is powered by inductive power supply or a dedicated power supply.

[0028] Furthermore, the load-end centripetal-suspended unit 2 is a load-end ring coil, which includes a set of superconducting coils placed coaxially with a gap in the middle; depending on the actual application scenario, an appropriate gap can be left in the middle of the coil.

[0029] Furthermore, the load-end centripetal-suspended unit 2 is composed of a set of permanent magnets.

[0030] Furthermore, the accelerating coil 3 includes two sets of coaxially placed coils; the force-receiving unit 4 is located between the two coils.

[0031] Furthermore, the connecting unit 5 is a cantilever or similar mechanical connection structure.

[0032] Furthermore, the force-bearing unit 4 is composed of a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic coil.

[0033] A simplified method for ring-shaped levitation electromagnetic propulsion, comprising the following steps:

[0034] A centripetal-levitation subsystem and an acceleration subsystem are constructed. The centripetal-levitation subsystem includes a centripetal-levitation field coil 1 fixed to the ground and a rotatable load-end centripetal-levitation unit 2. The acceleration subsystem includes an acceleration coil 3 fixed to the ground and a force-receiving unit 4. The acceleration coil 3 and the force-receiving unit 4 are located on the axis of the load-end centripetal-levitation unit 2 or other suitable positions. The load-end centripetal-levitation unit 2 is connected to the force-receiving unit 4 through a connecting unit 5.

[0035] The current of the centripetal-levitation field coil 1, fixed to the ground, is controlled to generate a centripetal-levitation magnetic field within an annular region of a certain height and width. This centripetal-levitation magnetic field includes a centripetal field in the vertical direction and a levitation field at a set position, providing levitation force for the load. The centripetal-levitation field ensures that the levitation force increases downwards and decreases upwards as the load moves vertically, allowing the load to adjust its levitation state automatically as the centripetal field increases, maintaining a balance between the levitation force and the load's weight, and returning to a stable state when the load deviates or tilts in the vertical or horizontal direction. The load includes the centripetal-levitation unit 2 at the load end, the connecting unit 5, and the force-bearing unit 4.

[0036] The current in the centripetal-suspension unit 2 at the load end is controlled to interact with the centripetal field, generating a centripetal force pointing towards the center of the annular region, which counteracts the centrifugal force generated by the load rotation and accelerates together with the load in one revolution.

[0037] The current in the acceleration coil 3 is controlled to provide an accelerating magnetic field, causing the load to accelerate one revolution at a time; wherein, the force-receiving unit 4 is subjected to force in the magnetic field generated by the acceleration coil 3 and accelerates the load end towards the centripetal-suspending unit 2 one revolution at a time through the connecting unit 5;

[0038] The acceleration coil 3 and the force-receiving unit 4 are located inside the centripetal-levitation field coil 1.

[0039] The advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0040] By employing a toroidal electromagnetic propulsion scheme, the payload can be accelerated multiple times within the ring, significantly reducing the power requirement for a single acceleration and substantially enhancing the system's acceleration capability. Simultaneously, the interaction between the strong magnetic field provided by the superconducting magnet and the high current-carrying capacity of the superconducting material provides extremely high centripetal force for the high-speed levitation and acceleration of the payload within the ring, overcoming the limitations of cantilever materials in terms of mechanical strength. The application of high current-carrying, low-loss superconducting technology, combined with the levitation and vacuum acceleration environment, further reduces system energy consumption. Compared to the scheme applied for by the team in May 2023, the centripetal-levitation coil structure in this application is significantly simplified, greatly reducing system complexity. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure and components of a ring-shaped levitation electromagnetic propulsion system.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic field generated by the centripetal-suspended field coil and the electromagnetic force experienced by the ring coil at the load end within the field.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the acceleration subsystem.

[0044] Among them, 1-centripetal-levitation field coil, 2-load end centripetal-levitation unit, 3-acceleration coil, 4-force-bearing unit, and 5-connection unit. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a structural schematic of a ring-shaped levitation electromagnetic propulsion system utilizing electromagnetic force to provide centripetal force, according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped levitation electromagnetic propulsion system mainly comprises two subsystems: centripetal levitation and acceleration. The centripetal levitation subsystem mainly includes a centripetal levitation field coil 1 fixed to the ground and a rotatable load-end centripetal levitation unit 2. The acceleration subsystem includes an acceleration coil 3 fixed to the ground and a force-receiving unit 4 connected to the load-end centripetal levitation unit 2 via a cantilever. The acceleration coil 3 provides acceleration thrust to the force-receiving unit 4 and the load-end centripetal levitation unit 2; the acceleration coil 3 and the force-receiving unit 4 are located inside the centripetal levitation field coil 1.

[0047] In the centripetal-levitation subsystem, coil 1 can adjust its operating current and the magnitude of the generated magnetic field according to the load speed. This coil assembly generates magnetic field within a ring-shaped region of a certain height and width. Figure 2The diagram shows a specific magnetic field configuration (centripetal-levitation field). This magnetic field mainly consists of a vertical magnetic field component (centripetal field), and has a certain radial magnetic field component (levitation field) at positions away from the center.

[0048] The load-end centripetal-levitation unit 2 achieves closed-loop operation through an ultra-low resistance superconducting connector and is placed at a specific position in the centripetal-levitation field. The initial stable position of the load-end centripetal-levitation unit 2 is coaxial with the centripetal-levitation field coil 1; both are placed coaxially before operation. The current in this unit can be induced by changes in the centripetal-levitation field or powered by a dedicated power supply. The current in the load-end centripetal-levitation unit 2 interacts with the centripetal field, generating a centripetal force pointing towards the center of the loop, counteracting the centrifugal force generated by the load's rotation, and accelerating with the load in each loop, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0049] The centripetal-levitation field configuration design ensures that the levitation force increases downwards and decreases upwards as the load moves vertically. This allows the load system to automatically adjust its levitation state as the centripetal field increases, maintaining a balance between levitation force and its own weight. Furthermore, the centripetal-levitation field configuration design ensures that when the load coil experiences slight deviations or tilts in the vertical or horizontal direction, the electromagnetic force returns it to its initial stable state, ultimately making the load system's levitation adaptive and self-stabilizing.

[0050] The acceleration subsystem consists of an acceleration coil 3 fixed to the ground and a force-bearing unit 4. The force-bearing unit 4 is connected to the centripetal-suspension unit 2 at the load end via a cantilever or other structure. Figure 3 As shown.

[0051] Acceleration coil 3 comprises two sets of coaxially placed coils, their power supply, and control system, fixed to the ground and kept connected to the power supply during operation. During operation, the magnetic field configuration can be changed by adjusting the current, causing the force-bearing unit 4 and the load-end centripetal-suspended unit 2 connected to the cantilever to accelerate sequentially.

[0052] The force-bearing unit 4 can be composed of a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic coil. It is subjected to force in the magnetic field generated by the acceleration coil 3, and the load end is accelerated one revolution at a time towards the center-suspension unit 2 through the cantilever.

[0053] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes to aid in understanding and implementing the invention, those skilled in the art will understand that various substitutions, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the content disclosed in the preferred embodiments, and the scope of protection claimed by the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion system, characterized in that, Including the centripetal-levitation subsystem and the acceleration subsystem; The centripetal-suspension subsystem includes a centripetal-suspension field coil (1) fixed to the ground and a rotatable load-end centripetal-suspension unit (2). The centripetal-levitation field coil (1) is used to generate a centripetal-levitation magnetic field in an annular region with a certain height and width. The centripetal-levitation magnetic field includes a centripetal field in the vertical direction and has a certain levitation field at a set position to provide levitation force for the load. The centripetal-levitation magnetic field is used to ensure that the levitation force increases downward and decreases upward as the load moves vertically, so that the load adjusts its levitation state by itself as the centripetal field increases, maintains the balance between the levitation force and the load's own weight, and returns to a stable state when the load deviates or tilts in the vertical or horizontal direction. The load-end centripetal-suspension unit (2) is used to interact with the suspension field to generate suspension force to counteract the gravity of the load-end centripetal-suspension unit (2) and the load, and to interact with the centripetal field to generate centripetal force pointing towards the center of the annular region, counteracting the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the load, and accelerating together with the load in one circle. The acceleration subsystem includes an acceleration coil (3) fixed to the ground and a force-receiving unit (4); the load-end centripetal-suspension unit (2) is connected to the force-receiving unit (4) through a connecting unit (5); The accelerating coil (3) is used to provide an accelerating magnetic field to accelerate the load one revolution at a time; The force-receiving unit (4) is used to receive force in the magnetic field generated by the acceleration coil (3), and the load end centripetal-suspension unit (2) is accelerated in circles through the connecting unit (5); The centripetal-levitation field coil (1) includes a set of ring coils placed coaxially on the top and bottom; when the ring coil is energized, a centripetal field in the vertical direction and a levitation or self-stabilizing field with a certain radial component are generated inside the ring coil. The load end centripetal-suspended unit (2) is a load end ring coil. The load end ring coil is composed of a set of coaxially placed coils. The coil operates in a closed loop. According to the actual application scenario, there is a gap in the middle of the coil. The accelerating coil (3) includes two sets of coaxially placed coils; the force-receiving unit (4) is located between the two coils; The acceleration coil (3) and the force-receiving unit (4) are located inside the centripetal-levitation field coil (1).

2. The simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load end centripetal-suspension unit (2) is located inside the centripetal-suspension field coil (1) and is used to provide the centripetal force.

3. The simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load end centripetal-suspended unit (2) is composed of a set of permanent magnets.

4. The simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The connecting unit (5) is a cantilever or mechanical connection structure.

5. The simplified annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The force-bearing unit (4) is composed of a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic coil.

6. A simplified method for annular levitation electromagnetic propulsion, comprising the following steps: Construct a centripetal-levitation subsystem and a levitation-acceleration subsystem; The centripetal-suspension subsystem includes a centripetal-suspension field coil (1) fixed to the ground and a rotatable load-end centripetal-suspension unit (2); the suspension-acceleration subsystem includes an acceleration coil (3) fixed to the ground and a force-receiving unit (4); the load-end centripetal-suspension unit (2) is connected to the force-receiving unit (4) through a connecting unit (5); The current of the centripetal-suspension field coil (1) fixed to the ground is controlled so that the centripetal-suspension field coil (1) generates a centripetal-suspension magnetic field in an annular region with a certain height and width. The centripetal-suspension magnetic field includes a centripetal field in the vertical direction and has a certain suspension field at a set position to provide suspension force for the load. The centripetal-suspension magnetic field is used to ensure that the suspension force increases downward and decreases upward as the load moves vertically, so that the load adjusts its suspension state by itself as the centripetal field increases, maintains the balance between the suspension force and the load's own weight, and returns to a stable state when the load deviates or tilts in the vertical or horizontal direction. The current in the centripetal-suspension unit (2) at the load end is controlled to interact with the centripetal field, generating a centripetal force pointing towards the center of the annular region, which counteracts the centrifugal force generated by the load rotation and accelerates together with the load in one circle; The current in the acceleration coil (3) is controlled to provide an acceleration magnetic field, so that the load is accelerated in one revolution; wherein, the force unit (4) is subjected to force in the magnetic field generated by the acceleration coil (3) and the load end is accelerated in one revolution to the centripetal-suspension unit (2) through the connecting unit (5); The centripetal-levitation field coil (1) includes a set of ring coils placed coaxially on the top and bottom; when the ring coil is energized, a centripetal field in the vertical direction and a levitation or self-stabilizing field with a certain radial component are generated inside the ring coil. The load end centripetal-suspended unit (2) is a load end ring coil. The load end ring coil is composed of a set of coaxially placed coils. The coil operates in a closed loop. According to the actual application scenario, there is a gap in the middle of the coil. The accelerating coil (3) includes two sets of coaxially placed coils; the force-receiving unit (4) is located between the two coils; The acceleration coil (3) and the force-receiving unit (4) are located inside the centripetal-levitation field coil (1).

Images