An electrodynamic wheel is a type of
wheel
A wheel is a circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the six simple machines. Wheels, in conjunction with axles, allow heavy objects to be ...
proposed for use in
electrodynamic levitation of the
maglev
Maglev (derived from '' magnetic levitation''), is a system of train transportation that uses two sets of electromagnets: one set to repel and push the train up off the track, and another set to move the elevated train ahead, taking advantag ...
train transport system.
Unlike a conventional wheel, an electrodynamic wheel has a rim studded with
magnet
A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible but is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet: a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, steel, nic ...
s of alternating poles. As the wheel spins, which is done at a rate so that there is
slip between the rim and the guideway's surface, magnetic fields are induced in the conductive guideway which repels the wheel.
Depending on the spin, electrodynamic wheels can provide
propulsion
Propulsion is the generation of force by any combination of pushing or pulling to modify the translational motion of an object, which is typically a rigid body (or an articulated rigid body) but may also concern a fluid. The term is derived from ...
, braking, control and lift.
Using 2D model
The mechanical rotation of a radially positioned permanent-magnet Halbach array above a conducting, nonmagnetic track induces eddy currents in the track that can inductively create suspension and propulsion forces simultaneously. The parameters that affect the performance of this electrodynamic wheel are studied using a 2-D steady-state finite-element method.
Examples
The
Hendo hoverboard
A hoverboard (or hover board) is a levitating board used for personal transportation, first described in science-fiction, and made famous by the appearance of a skateboard-like hoverboard in the film '' Back to the Future Part II''. Many attempt ...
uses electrodynamic wheels to levitate itself over a conductive surface.
See also
*
Halbach array
A Halbach array is a special arrangement of permanent magnets that augments the magnetic field on one side of the array while cancelling the field to near zero on the other side. This is achieved by having a spatially rotating pattern of magn ...
*
Spin-stabilized magnetic levitation
Spin-stabilized magnetic levitation is a phenomenon of magnetic levitation whereby a spinning magnet or array of magnets (typically as a top) is levitated via magnetic forces above another magnet or array of magnets, and stabilised by gyroscopic e ...
References
Wheels
Magnetic levitation
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