Magnetic Levitation Apparatus with Segmented Circular Magnet Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic levitation apparatuses are unstable and limited in levitation height, requiring high power for control, as they can only maintain objects in orthogonal directions and have complex, costly control systems.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a circular pattern of paired magnets and coils, with sensor systems using light-emitting and light-receiving elements for accurate positioning, allowing for stable levitation at various heights by correcting deviations in the xy plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets and coils are arranged in a circular pattern with paired configuration, then levitation height and stability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet array is segmented into multiple individual magnets arranged in a circular pattern, with each magnet paired with a corresponding coil. This segmentation allows independent control of each magnet-coil pair, enabling stable levitation at higher heights while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional planar or linear magnet-coil arrangements to a three-dimensional circular configuration. The magnets are positioned at different angular positions around a vertical axis, with each magnet paired with a coil in the radial direction, creating a spatially distributed control system that improves stability without excessive complexity.
2Device complexity
If conventional magnet and coil arrangements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but levitation height is limited and control becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the current in each coil based on real-time position feedback from sensors. The paired magnet-coil configuration enables independent control of vertical and radial forces, allowing the system to maintain stable levitation at varying heights without requiring overly complex control algorithms or expensive hardware.
3Measurement precision
If equilibrium location is stabilized by controlled degree of freedom, then positioning accuracy is improved, but supporting power and levitation height are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Position sensors detect the location of the levitated object and provide feedback to the control system. The control system then adjusts the current in each coil to correct position deviations, enabling accurate positioning while maintaining the ability to support larger masses at greater heights through the distributed paired magnet-coil configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables stable orientation of magnetic objects at larger levitation heights with efficient control, reducing power requirements and enhancing stability, allowing for precise correction of unstable positions.
Implementation Method 1
apparatus for orienting a magnetic object in free space with the aid of magnetic levitation
Implementation Method 2
a magnet array comprising at least three magnets and being arranged in a circle around an imaginary axis, which magnet array generates a static magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a coil array comprised of at least three controllable coils, the coil array generating a controllable magnetic field for maintaining the magnetic object at the equilibrium location
Implementation Method 4
each coil of the coil array being arranged at least partly outside the circle in radial direction from the imaginary axis
Implementation Method 5
the sensor means may comprise at least one light emitting element and at least one light receptor element and the marking element comprises at least one light reflecting surface
Implementation Method 6
the light receptor element may then comprise at least one or more photodiodes
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The invention relates to apparatus for orienting a magnetic object in free space with the aid of magnetic levitation, the apparatus comprising a magnet array comprising one or more magnets and arranged in a circle around an imaginary axis, which magnet array generates a static magnetic field with an equilibrium location in this field at which the magnetic object can be maintained; sensor means for detecting location deviations between the current location of the magnetic object and the equilibrium location and, based on the result of the detection operation, for generating and delivering control signals; a coil array comprised of various controllable coils, the coil array generating a controllable magnetic field for maintaining the magnetic object at the equilibrium location, each coil of the coil array being arranged at least partly outside the circle in radial direction from the imaginary axis. The apparatus is characterized in that the magnetic polarisation of the magnetic object is opposite to that of the magnetic array. As a result, the magnetic object can be maintained more stably at an equilibrium location by means of magnetic levitation, while the correction coils oriented to the exterior can exert a large correction force on the magnetic object so as to maintain the object at its equilibrium location.