Nonlinear Modeling of a Magnetic Levitation System

TLDR: In this article, an analytical nonlinear model of a magnetic levitation system (MLS) developed in the laboratory for applications of contactless operations at a microscale is presented.

Abstract: This paper presents an analytical nonlinear model of a magnetic levitation system (MLS)developed in the laboratory for applications of contactless operations at a microscale. Cylindrical permanent magnets and iron-core electromagnetics are used to build a desired hybrid magnetic field of the MLS. Three linear Hall-effect sensors are employed to detect the position of the levitation object, in which two sensors are used to detect the two-dimensional horizontal position of the levitation object and the third sensor is used to detect the levitation object whether it is in the working space. The nonlinear magnetic flux density model of the MLS is first deduced and then the magnetic force of the levitation object is derived by using the deduced model. Based on the deduced model, the mathematical relation of the current supplied to the electromagnet, the magnetic force and position of the levitation object is obtained and analyzed. Furthermore, the installation of the linear Hall-effect sensors was determined theoretically. Finally, the effectiveness of the nonlinear modeling of the MLS developed in the laboratory is validated by finite element analysis.