Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by a student grant from the UI Office of Undergraduate Research.
Abstract
Superconductor-Permanent Magnet bearing modeling is key to many future engineering projects. A theoretical model, free of fitting parameters, is being developed for three-dimensional restoring forces for magnet and type-II superconductor interactions. To prepare to test the developing theoretical model, we are preforming experiments to measure dynamic responses of these bearings. Equipment has been designed to isolate vertical oscillations between N52 magnets and large Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide superconductors. Reported are oscillatory acceleration data of the levitated magnetic array after receiving a discrete impact, with Fourier Transformation analysis. Anharmonic behavior is observed in the resonance. Future experiments and equipment modifications are planned to allow for lateral oscillations. Modeling these forces will have applications to any system with need of extremely low-friction bearings that supply large restoring forces. For example, our research group is developing a Flywheel Energy Storage System that relies on a passive Superconducting-Permanent Magnet levitation bearing.
Experimental Analysis of Anharmonic Potential Theory for Dynamic Type II Superconducting/Permanent Magnetic Levitation
Superconductor-Permanent Magnet bearing modeling is key to many future engineering projects. A theoretical model, free of fitting parameters, is being developed for three-dimensional restoring forces for magnet and type-II superconductor interactions. To prepare to test the developing theoretical model, we are preforming experiments to measure dynamic responses of these bearings. Equipment has been designed to isolate vertical oscillations between N52 magnets and large Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide superconductors. Reported are oscillatory acceleration data of the levitated magnetic array after receiving a discrete impact, with Fourier Transformation analysis. Anharmonic behavior is observed in the resonance. Future experiments and equipment modifications are planned to allow for lateral oscillations. Modeling these forces will have applications to any system with need of extremely low-friction bearings that supply large restoring forces. For example, our research group is developing a Flywheel Energy Storage System that relies on a passive Superconducting-Permanent Magnet levitation bearing.