Design and simulation of a testing fixture for planar magnetic levitation system control using switched reluctance actuator

Magnetic levitation systems are contactless type, there are no mechanical components between the translator and the stator. Hence, it can eliminate the mechanical wear, friction, noise, heat generation, and metal dust, satisfy environmental demand, and enable the system to move at high speed. Although the magnetic levitation systems have vast potential in engineering applications because of the above merits, the open loop instability and nonlinearity characteristics of the systems hamper its implementation. Therefore, the robust control is very important for the magnetic levitation systems. In this paper, the investigation, design, simulation and fabrication of a testing fixture for planar magnetic levitation system control are addressed, based on Switched Reluctance (SR). The proposed fixture uses three coils made by laminated silicon steel for levitation. This system has a much simpler structure, and it can lower manufacturing cost. In this paper, we firstly discussed the mechanical structure of the proposed planar magnetic levitation system. Secondly, Magnetic Circuit Analysis (MCA) was carried out to calculate the electromagnetic force. Then, the simulation of one single coil control is applied. The simulation results were very satisfactory and it validated the design concept. Finally, the control algorithm of the planar magnetic levitation system, which is a Multiple Input and Multiple Output (MIMO) system, was discussed.