Magnetic levitation Experiment

[Trent]

Well here we go. First off i am working on this concepts for a project of mine. and i am not educated in the usage of magnets. So i ask you.

 

My project is basic I am curious what the power requirements would be to magnetically levitate a 4000 pound object that is roughly 20 ft X 6ft in size. The suspension will have 4 points 1 in each corner and must be levitated a minimum of 6 inches.

 

if there are any options with actual magnets and opposing forces please leave some feedback because that would work too.

 

if anyone could help with this would be great.

[Xittenn]

I think that maybe this is an extremely deceptively simple question, although I may be over complicating things.

 

I think the initial phase of levitating the object to a given height is very flexible in terms of the exerted power required. It will vary largely based on the required time you wish for it to take to levitate to the given height but will also vary according the requirements of phase two. The total energy required will be the same in any situation(mostly.)

 

Phase two will, mathematically speaking, depend on the internal frictions of your system and the fluctuations in motions and electromagnetic fields generated as best described by some Hamiltonian :U I can't calculate this myself but I can assure you the power output required will be pretty high and will require an industrial strength power supply.

 

I might try and figure this out if nobody else answers and/or corrects my original assumption(I get confused sometimes.)

Edited April 6, 2011 by Xittenn

[Trent]

Thank you a lot man any input would be great.

 

i guess it would also help if i also input that this would be dc and powered by alternators on a smallblock chevy engine.

[Xittenn]

Why DC? If it's because you have a crap load of car alternators this is a really crappy reason. In the end this solution will cost you more after you convert the output to AC and step it up. You are best to find something AC Brushless and step that up. A small block 283 or 327 will be sufficient in supplying the constant energy required for such a system. Please don't call me man :|

Edited April 6, 2011 by Xittenn

[Xittenn]

I have thought on this for some time now and looked over a few of the more readily available products on the market. I didn't find one thing in particular I was looking for and it might be because I am unaware of the proper name. A design I might consider taking seriously would maintain most of its assets in mechanical deployment as opposed to electronic and this is a very important design consideration. It does sort of seem that this is what you intended on doing already.

 

1) Small Block

 

2) AC Generator w/ following design considerations:

- output frequency single phase 60Hz or 400Hz this is an optimization point and will reflect the initial lifting phase

- the output voltage for the initial phase is probably the least important variable but will be closely tied to the required current of the initial phase

- the output current in the initial phase will be high and peak dynamic stress will be important the required current will depend on the frequency output and the electromagnets impedance

- the output current should maintain, during operation, a substantially lower value than its rated maximum

 

3) A Mechanical AC Frequency Modulator

- this can be home made

- turn it at a multiple of the frequency that has been output from the AC Generator; keep these mechanically in phase

- the core should be like a sectioned off toroid, probably four sections for load balancing

- turn the outer ring of the toroid so that each section is an inductor

- the commutators will serve to modulate the original output waveform and this is important as a low frequency will be(most likely) inappropriate in maintaining a floating state

 

4) Active or Passive Crossover Stage

- this is essentially the point that hands off from phase one to phase two

- phase one will want to pass directly to the electromagnet to do the lift

- stage one is not appropriate(most likely) in maintaining the floating state

- the crossover should gradually pass to phase two; abruptly might be an option

- phase two will be modulated at a higher frequency by 3) and will also require being stepped up to a higher voltage

- the voltage and frequency will depend on proper optimization :/

 

5) Step Up Transformer

- step up phase two voltage

 

6) Two Clusters of Electromagnets

- as the output is modulated there is somewhat of a duty cycle here so break it up maybe four and five

- electromagnets are a big design consideration and will probably be the starting point for the design process

- defining these values will depend on the outcome of the mathematical model that is very difficult to process

 

These are just my opinions and come from what little experience I have. The math involved in this is too much and would take me a fair bit of my own time to compile, I can't see any easy solution to your problem. If you have the resources trials and error are your best bet!

 

o.o

Edited April 6, 2011 by Xittenn

[Trent]

thank you for the input. and i am sorry about the "man" comment. Curse of my lack of noticing things.

 

ill take your options into consideration and do some home work. but the reason behind this and the car alternators is the plan is to create a RAT ROD with a magnetic suspension retained with a 4-link and panard bars. that is why. the engine would not be dedicated to the production of electricity.

[Xittenn]

So you want to float your car down the street? Could you be more specific? Model? Ford, Willys, year ... ?? Front only suspension or both? Is it intended to be seen or is it something you feel will be of some benefit in the quarter mile?

 

I once saw a 24 Willys cross the finish at 312MPH :/

 

I really wouldn't count on this, especially running off of an alternator. It takes more to run a home stereo; well one I would own. My getup would weigh an extra ~ton maybe a tonne at best ... there are those newish magnetorheological dampers. I kind of figured you were thinking something along these lines but it's not like anybody else has this rigged up right?