The fundamental characteristics and performances of alternating current (AC) magnetic suspension using magnetic resonant coupling are studied analytically and experimentally. Nowadays, wireless power transfer to the suspended object is required during non-contact suspension in some applications. Therefore, magnetic resonant coupling has been introduced for AC magnetic suspension to achieve self-stabilizing magnetic suspension and energy transfer to the floator simultaneously. The effect of circuit parameters for developing an experimental apparatus and performances are predicted from the solution of the equivalent circuits analytically. First, an equivalent magnetic circuit is derived and analyzed to characterize the self-inductance and mutual inductance with the gap. Second, an equivalent electrical circuit is analyzed to derive the current and force equations including magnetic parameters of the circuit. The derivation of these equations is numerically solved to study the characteristics of the primary current, the secondary current, and the force with respect to the gap and the applied frequency. The comparison between theoretical and experimental results is depicted, and the reason for differences is explained. The experimental and theoretical results show that positive stiffness is possible, which is essential for achieving self-stabilization. The self-stability is confirmed by the frequency response of the suspension system to disturbance experimentally.

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A newly developed AC magnetic suspension system is designed and fabricated to investigate the performances. A new concept of design is revealed for operating the apparatus differentially where the floator is kept at a constant position despite changing the parameters of the upper stator electromagnets. An extensive finite element analysis is conducted to estimate the basic characteristics of the system. A permanent magnet is incorporated in this system to reduce the required supply energy to the stator electromagnets. Magnetic suspension with a maximum gap of 2.0 mm without any control with the upper electromagnet in cumulative coupling mode and with a gap of 3.0 mm with indirect damping in the differentially operated mode is achieved. The indirect damping is achieved by applying PD control to the stator. The individual force, current and phase for variable frequency and gap between primary and secondary electromagnet are measured to examine the basic characteristics and performances.

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