MAGNETIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Abstract: A suspension system for magnetically suspending an object (O) comprises an electromagnetic coil (L) having an axially extending core (13) of magnetically permeable material and a permanent magnet (14) disposed on its axis. A permanent magnet (10) is also provided in the object (O) and is arranged such that it is in attraction with the permanent magnet (14) on the coil (L), and with the magnetically permeable core (13) so that the object (O) is suspended at a position below the coil (L) by the attractive force. Sensors (15, 16) on the coil (L) detect the magnetic field of the permanent magnet (10) in the object (O), and provide signals to a control circuit, which applies current to the coil (L) to attract the object (O) when the detected field is below a predetermined limit and to repel the object when the detector field is above a predetermined limit. In this manner, the object (O) is held in position using a relatively low current, since the coil (L) is only energised when the object moves away from the position in which it is held by the field of the permanent magnets (10, 14).

Description: MAGNETIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM This invention relates to a system for the magnetic suspension of objects. We have now devised a system which will support an object in suspension at a controlled position relative to a fixed or movable structure, with a large air-gap between the object and that structure, and with a low power consumption. In accordance with this invention, there is provided a magnetic suspension system which comprises an electromagnet and a first permanent magnet mounted to a fixed or movable support structure, an object provided with a second permanent magnet and arranged for suspension at a position below the electromagnet at least partially by an attractive magnetic field developed between the two said permanent magnets, detector means mounted in a fixed position to detect the magnetic field of said second permanent magnet, and control means for supplying an electrical current to the electromagnet, said electrical current being varied in accordance with an output signal of εaid detector means to maintain said object in a predetermined position relative to the electromagnet. We have found that this system will suspend an object at a controlled position relative to the fixed or movable structure, with a large air-gap between the object and the electromagnet. The support structure is preferably further provided with a body of magnetically permeable material, εo that the object is also partially suspended by an attractive magnetic field developed between its permanent magnet and the body of magnetically permeable material on the support structure. Preferably the control means is arranged to supply an electric current to the electromagnet when the magnetic field detected by the detector means changes from the field which is detected when the object iε at said position. Preferably the control means is arranged to supply current to the electromagnet, such that a magnetic field is developed between the object and support structure, which attracts the object towards the support structure when the magnetic field detected by the detector meanε is below a predetermined limit. Preferably the control means iε arranged to supply current to the electromagnet, εuch that a magnetic field is developed between the object and the support structure, which repels the object away from the support structure when the magnetic field detected by the detector means is above a predetermined limit. The εystem thuε uεeε very little current because the electromagnet iε only energiεed when the position of the object departs from the poεition at which it iε substantially suspended by the permanent magnetic field developed between the object and the εupport εtructure. Preferably the current to the electromagnet iε pulse width modulated. Preferably the control means is arranged to increase the magnitude of said electrical current as the magnitude of the detected change of magnetic field increases, so that a stronger magnetic field is developed the more the object moves away from the above-mentioned position. Preferably the control means iε arranged such that the electromagnet is energised to slightly repel the object at said position, so that in the event of a power failure the object is attracted towards the εupport εtructure by the permanent magnetic field. Preferably the electromagnet comprises a coil. Preferably the control means comprises first and a second switches and third and fourth switches, the two respective pairs of switches being connected in series across a d.c. supply, opposite endε of the coil being connected to connection points between the first and second switches and third and fourth switches respectively, and the control means being arranged to actuate said first and third switches or said second and fourth switches depending on the desired direction of current flow. It is particularly desirable for the magnetic field detector means to be very sensitive. Preferably this detector means comprises one or more Hall effect sensors: for example, there may be two Hall effect sensors mounted at opposed SUBSTITUTESHEET(RULE2§) positionε either side of the axis of the electromagnet, the outputs of the two Hall effect sensorε being combined (e.g. summed together or averaged) to provide the output signal which iε applied to the control means for the electromagnet. Alternatively the detector means may comprise an amorphous ribbon sensor. Preferably the detector means is magnetically shielded from the magnetic fields generated by the electromagnet and permanent magnet in the support structure. Preferably the detector means is shielded by a non-magnetic material, such as aluminium, which blocks changing magnetic fields, but which doeε not block steady magnetic fields. Preferably the detector meanε iε εhielded by a magnetically permeable material, such aε mumetal, which blocks steady magnetic fields, but which does not readily block changing magnetic fields. Preferably the object being εuεpended includes a body of magnetically permeable material to which its permanent magnet is mounted, to act as a flux concentrator and to project the field generated by its permanent magnet further towards the support structure. Preferably the εupport structure includes a body of magnetically permeable material to which itε permanent magnet iε mounted, to act as a flux concentrator and to project the field generated by that permanent magnet further towards the object being εuεpended. Preferably the electromagnet includeε a core of magnetically permeable material. Preferably the magnetically permeable material comprises mild steel, silicon iron (SiFe) , ferro cobolt (FeCo) , permendur, or a composition of nickel iron. Preferably the permanent magnets are formed from a rare earth material such as neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) , or other high energy material. For the electromagnet coil, it is desirable to use very fine (small diameter) wire in order to increaεe the number of turns which can be wound on a bobbin of predetermined size (and so increase the strength of magnetic field which can be produced using the same drive current) , or alternatively reduce the size of the coil. However, reducing the diameter of the wire εubεtantially increaεes its resistance and hence the drive voltage required to pass the εame current through the coil. Preferably therefore, the electromagnet uεed in the suspension system of the preεent invention comprises two or more wires which are wound around a common axis and connected in parallel. The wires may be wound to form respective coils disposed end-to-end, or they may be wound together to form a composite coil extending the length of the electromagnet. With these coil arrangements, each wire is shorter in length (and therefore of lower resiεtance value) than a coil of comparable size wound from a single wire. Therefore finer wire can be used without the need to increase the drive voltage in order to maintain a comparable current. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 iε a εchematic diagram of a first embodiment of magnetic suspension syεtem in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the magnetic suspension system of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a graph of coil current against Hall sensor output for the circuit of Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of magnetic suεpension system in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 5 iε a εchematic diagram of a third embodiment of magnetic εuspension system in accordance with this invention; and FIGURE 6 is a εchematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of magnetic εuspension system in accordance with this invention. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a magnetic suspension system for suspending an object 0 at a controlled position relative to a fixed structure. The object O is provided with a rare earth permanent magnet 10 mounted to a piece of mild εteel 11 which acts as a flux concentrator. An electromagnet 12 is mounted to the fixed structure. In use the object 0 is magnetically suspended below the electromagnet 12, which compriseε a coil L wound on a bobbin: in the example shown the coil L haε itε axis vertical, but it may be inclined to the horizontal or even be close to the horizontal. The electromagnet 12 has a core 13 of mild steel or other magnetically permeable material, and may rest on a panel having a central aperture aligned with the core of the electromagnet. Further, a second rare earth permanent magnet 14 is mounted to the bottom end of the core 13, to attract the permanent magnet 10 of the object O. The core 13 may be made in two parts with the magnet 14 positioned between them, such that the magnet 14 is disposed at a selected position along the axiε of the core. Instead the core may have a hollow paεεage in it, so that the axial position of the magnet 14 may be εelected or adjusted. Two Hall effect sensors 15,16 are mounted below the electromagnet 12, such that they are substantially shielded from its magnetic field. Wires 17 connect the Hall effect sensors 15,16 to respective inputs of a control circuit 18, the coil L being connected acrosε the outputs of the control circuit 18. Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, inside the control circuit 18 the outputs of the Hall sensorε 15,16 are connected to a εumming or averaging circuit 20. The output of the summing or averaging circuit 20 is connected to a comparator 21 or error amplifier which compares the summed or averaged signal from the Hall sensors 15,16 with a reference level, which is set by adjusting an adjustable resistor VR1 that is connected in serieε with a reεistor R2 across a d.c. supply. The comparator 21 has two outputs which are connected to respective pulse width modulators 22,23. Two pairs of εerieε-connected insulated gate bi-polar transiεtorε (IGBTε) TR1,TR2 and TR3,TR4 are connected in parallel across the d.c. supply. One end of the coil L iε connected to the interconnection point between transistors TRI and TR2 and the other end of the coil is connected to the interconnection point between transiεtors TR3 and TR4. The gate of transistor TRI is connected to the gate of transistor TR4 and also to the output of one of the pulse width modulators 22. Similarly, the gate of transistor TR2 is connected to the gate of transistor TR3 and to the output of the other pulse width modulator 23. SUBSTITUTE SHEET φ UE26) Referring again to Figure 1 of the drawings, the permanent magnet 10 of the object 0 and the permanent magnet 14 of the coil L are arranged such that they attract each other, the permanent magnet on the object 0 also being attracted to the εteel core 13 of the electromagnet. If the object 0 has a weight which is leεε than the maximum attractive force between the magnetε 10,14, then it will be appreciated that the spacing between the magnets can be adjusted, so that at one point the gravitational force on the object exactly equals the attractive force between the magnets 10,14: at this so-called balancing point the object will float in mid air. The balancing point is finite, and in practice it is difficult to get the object to float without some form of control. Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the magnetic field at the sensors 15,16 will vary depending upon the proximity of the magnet 10 of the object O. This magnetic field is εenεed by the sensors 15,16, which output a corresponding signal V ^ L to the control circuit 18. The comparator circuit 21 in the control circuit compares the combined output from the Hall sensors 15,16 with a reference set by adjustable resistor VR1. If the Hall sensor output is above the reference then a signal representing the magnitude of the difference iε output to the pulse width modulator circuit 22, whereas if the output is below the reference then a εignal repreεenting the magnitude of the difference iε output to the other pulεe width modulator 23. Each of the pulεe width modulators 22,23 is arranged to output a square wave whose mark-space ratio depends on the magnitude of the respective signal from the comparator circuit 21. If the signal from the comparator circuit 21 is small, then the mark-space ratio will be as low as 1:49 (2% ON) , whereas if the signal is high then the mark-space ratio will be as high as 49:1 (98% ON) . When the output of one of the pulse width modulators e.g. 22 is high, the transistors TRI and TR4 will be turned on, so that current I κ flows through the coil L. Likewise, when the output of the other pulse width modulator 23 is high, transistors TR2 and TR3 will be turned on and current I Λ will flow in the reverse direction through the coil L. Assuming that the weight of the object and the strength of the permanent magnets 10,14 are such that the above¬ mentioned balancing point occurs at a spacing of 4cm, then adjustable resistor VR1 is adjusted εo that no current I A/ I R flows through the coil L at this point: in practice adjustable resistor VR1 setε a small range of reference points between which no current flows, in order to avoid cycling of the current through coil L. If the object O moves away from the coil, the magnetic field F MΛ0 at the Hall senεorε 15,16 will decreaεe and the input εignal to the comparator 21 will drop below the reference level, thereby cauεing the pulse width modulator 23 to operate, so that current I Λ flows through the coil L. When current I Λ flows, the electromagnetic field generated by the coil L supplements the magnetic field between the permanent magnets 10,14 and attracts the object 0 back towards the coil L. The magnitude of the coil current I A , and hence the strength of the magnetic field generated, will depend on how far the object O has moved away from the coil L. If the object 0 iε pulled closer to the coil than the balancing point, then the control circuit 18 operates so that the reverse current I R flows through the coil L. This reverse current I R causeε a magnetic field which repels the magnet 10, so that the object moves away from the coil L. It will be appreciated that very little current flows through the coil L, since the coil is only energised when the position of the object O departs from the balancing point. In this manner, the system in accordance with this invention can be powered by a small, low voltage d.c. battery, which will last for a considerable amount of time before it becomes exhausted. Alternatively, the circuit could be powered from the mains via a low voltage d.c. supply. If there is a power cut or if the battery becomes exhausted, then it will be appreciated that the object O may drop to the floor, which could be undesirable. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, adjuεtable reεistor VR1 iε εet εo that the object iε held at a position in which the minimum repulsion current I Λ flowε, thereby producing a repelling force, which keeps the object away from the coil L. This repelling force will cease if there is a loss of power to the coil and the object O will be attracted towards the coil, where it will be held by the attractive force between the permanent magnets 10,14. We have found that, in use of the suspension system which has been deεcribed, the object 0 can be suspended in a stable position with a large air-gap (up to 60mm) . The object is substantially suspended by the attraction force between the permanent magnets 10,14, and thus only a small current (of 10mA) is required for the electromagnet, with a correspondingly low power consumption when the object is at the balancing point. However, when the object departs from the balancing point the current increases exponentially with distance, so that the object is quickly brought back into position. The maximum current flow through the coil could be as high as 700mA. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the Hall effect sensorε 15,16 are mounted at the lower end of a projection 32 (e.g. a tubular εleeve) from an apertured panel on which the electromagnet rests. This arrangement enables the object O to be suspended at a larger air-gap (up to 80 or 90mm) below the electromagnet, since it is the εenεitivity of the sensors which limits the εize of the air-gap and not always the strength of the permanent magnets 10,14. Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, there is shown a further embodiment of εuεpension syεtem, and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, two rare earth permanent magnets 14,40 are mounted at opposite ends of the coil L on its vertical axis. A third permanent magnet 91 is mounted inside the core of the coil between two steel core sections 13a, 13b. The position of the magnet 91 on the core may be adjusted during manufacture in order to set the balancing point. The magnets 14,40,91 are arranged with their respective like poles directed in the same direction along the axis of the coil L. A piece of silicon iron 42 is mounted on top of the upper rare earth magnet 40. The lower rare earth magnet 14 extends through a central aperture in an aluminium disc 43 which is mounted below the coil L. The Hall effect sensors 15,16 are mounted on the underside of the aluminium disc 43 in downwardly facing cups 90 of mumetal. The permanent magnet 10 of the object O being suspended is attracted towards the mass of magnetically permeable material and the two magnets 40,41 in the support structure S, the permanent magnet 10 being mounted on a piece of silicon iron 11. In use, the suspended object 10 is attracted towards the support structure S from a diεtance of up to 60mm, although this depends on the strength of the magnetε and the weight of the object O. The mumetal cupε 90 help to shield the Hall sensors 15,16 from the steady magnetic field generated by the coil L, and the aluminium disc 43 helps to shield the Hall sensors from varying magnetic fields generated by the coil. It will be appreciated that the magnetic field generated by the coil L and the permanent magnets 40,41,91 thereon extends solely through the aperture in the disc 43, and is thus concentrated vertically downwardly. The silicon iron piece 42 on top of the upper permanent magnet 40 helps to confine the magnetic field to the downwardε direction. If it iε deεired to support a heavier object or increase the air-gap, then the control circuit can be configured so that the coil L attractε the magnet 10 of the object O being suspended and thereby supplements the field of the two magnets 40,41 in the support structure S. The amount of current drawn by the coil L will depend on the size of the desired air-gap, but generally this iε adjusted so that the object iε εuεpended substantially by the attraction force between the permanent magnets 10,40,41,91. In order to provide a stronger magnetic field without increasing the voltage needed, or alternatively to enable the electromagnet to be made of a smaller size yet provide the same strength of magnetic field, the electromagnet shown in Figures compriεes two coils Ll and L2 wound around respective portions of a bobbin B and separated by a spacer disc D: the coils Ll, L2 are connected in parallel to the driving power source. The arrangement allows the use of very fine (small diameter) wire for the coils, without the resistance of each coil becoming excessive, because each coil is relatively short. It will be appreciated that the electromagnet may comprise two or more coils wound on different portionε of the bobbin and all connected in parallel: alternatively, two or more wires e.g. WI, W2 may be wound together around the bobbin, aε shown in Figure 6, to form a composite coil extending the length of the bobbin, but again with the respective wires connected in parallel. In a further embodiment, two coils may be co-wound on the bobbin B. The object being suspended may comprise an annular or spherical magnet which is radially magnetised, so that the object can freely rotate or spin in the magnetic field. One or more bores may extend axially through the core of the coil, with each sensor being located axially below a respective bore. This arrangement has the advantage that little or no magnetic flux is present in line with the axis of the bore, so that there is less requirement to magnetically shield the sensors. Preferably a bore extends along the axis of the coil through the core, εo that a εingle, centrally located εenεor can be uεed. Aε shown in Figure 6, the uppermost part 93 of the bobbin B may be formed of a magnetically permeable material, such as steel, in order to direct the flux at the upper end of the electropermanent magnet aεεembly 95 radially outwardly, so that it iε more concentrated in the downwards direction to link up with the lines of flux flowing from the underside of the permanent magnet 10 in the object being suspended. Preferably the axially upper end of the coil compriseε extenεionε 94 which are directed substantially axially of the coil in order to direct the flux flowing from the upper end of the electropermanent magnet assembly 95 towards the magnet 10 in the object. The magnetic suspension systems which have been described may be used in a wide variety of applications. For example, the system can be used in advertising, to suspend signε or other objects for display: it will be appreciated that while freely suspended in air, the object may rotate. Further, the syεtem may be used when painting and then drying objects, allowing free access to all sideε of the object. Also, the system may be used for the immersion of objects in acid or other solution for chemical treatment; complete immersion may be achieved without any side of the object having to be phyεically held. Yet further, the εystem can be used to suspend models of aeroplanes in wind tunnels, giving a better simulation of the real aircraft in flight.

Claims: Claims 1) A magnetic suεpension system which comprises an electromagnet and a first permanent magnet mounted to a fixed or movable support structure, an object provided with a second permanent magnet and arranged for suspension at a position below the electromagnet, at least partially by an attractive magnetic field developed between the two said permanent magnets, detector meanε mounted in a fixed position to detect the magnetic field of said second permanent magnet, and control means for supplying an electrical current to the electromagnet, said electrical current being varied in accordance with an output signal of εaid detector meanε to maintain said object in a predetermined poεition relative to the electromagnet. 2) A magnetic suspenεion system as claimed in claim 1, in which a body of magnetically permeable material is provided on the support structure. 3) A magnetic suεpenεion system aε claims in claims 1 or 2, in which the control means iε arranged to supply an electric current to the electromagnet when the magnetic field detected by the detector means changes from the field which is detected when the object is at said predetermined position. 4) A magnetic εuεpenεion system as claims in claim 3, in which the control means is arranged to supply current to the electromagnet, such that a magnetic field is developed between the object and the support structure, which attracts the object towards the support structure when the magnetic field detected by the detector means is below a predetermined limit. 5) A magnetic suspension system as claimed in claims 3 or 4, in which the control means is arranged to supply current to the electromagnet, such that a magnetic field is developed between the object and the support structure, which repels the object away from the support structure when the magnetic field detected by the detector means is above a predetermined limit. 6) A magnetic suspenεion εyεtem as claimed in claim 5, in which the control means comprises firεt and εecond switches connected in series acroεs a d.c. supply and third and fourth switches connected in εerieε across the d.c. supply, opposite ends of a coil of the electromagnet being connected to points between the first and second switcheε and the third and fourth switches respectively and the control means being arranged to actuate said first and third switches or said second and fourth switches depending on the deεired direction of current flow through the coil. 7) A magnetic εuεpenεion system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the current iε pulεe width modulated. 8) A magnetic suεpenεion system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control means is arranged to supply an electric current to the electromagnet which repels the object at εaid poεition. 9) A magnetic suspension system aε claimed in any preceding claim, in which the object being suspended includes a body of magnetically permeable material to which its permanent magnet iε moulded. 10) A magnetic suεpenεion εyεtem aε claimed in claim 2, in which the body of magnetically permeable material comprises a core which extends axially of a coil of the electromagnet. 11) A magnetic εuεpenεion εystem as claimed in claim 10, in which the first permanent magnet is disposed axially of the coil. 12) A magnetic suspension system as claimed in claim 10 or 11, in which the body of magnetically permeable material comprises a flux concentrator disposed at the axially upper end of the core. 13) A magnetic suspension system as claimed in claim 12, in which the flux concentrator extends over the axially upper end of the electromagnet. 14) A magnetic suspension system as claimed in claim 13, in which the flux concentrator comprises an extension which is arranged to direct magnetic flux at the upper end of the electromagnet downwardly towards the object being suspended. 15) A magnetic suεpension syεtem aε claimed in claim 1, in which the electromagnet compriεes two or more wireε which are wound around a common axiε and connected in parallel.

Inventors: SHIRAZEE NABEEL, SHIRAZEE, NABEEL
Applicants: MAGNETIC PATENT HOLDINGS LTD, SHIRAZEE NABEEL, MAGNETIC PATENT HOLDINGS LIMITED, SHIRAZEE, NABEEL
Application year: 1996
Main classification: F16C39
IPC codes: B25J15, F16C39