Analysis of a Cylindrical Passive Suspension System Using Finite Element Method

The analysis of cylindrical suspension systems has usually been carried out by their approximated flat structures so far. In this paper the lift and drag forces of a passive electrodynamic suspension system, consisting of a permanent magnet block levitated over a rotating cylindrical conducting shell, is fully investigated with no structural approximation. A FEM-base procedure for numerous simulation runs is followed to consider the influences of many system operating conditions and specifications on the system performance. In particular, the effects of rotating speed, shell thickness and conducting resistivity, permanent magnet dimensions and air gap length are analyzed. The concluding remarks presented in the paper can be used in the optimal design of such a suspension system. Copyright (C) 2008 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l - All rights reserved.