electrodynamic wheel
{{Short description|Proposed electrodynamic levitation system}}
An electrodynamic wheel is a type of wheel proposed for use in electrodynamic levitation of the maglev train transport system.{{cite web|last=Bird|first=J|title=An Electrodynamic Wheel with a Split-Guideway Capable of Simultaneously Creating Suspension, Thrust and Guidance Forces|url=http://lipo.ece.wisc.edu/2005pubs/2005_39.pdf|publisher=University of Wisconsin-Madison|accessdate=20 December 2012}}{{cite web|last=J|first=Bird|title=A Study of the Effect of Using Electrodynamic Wheels in Series|url=http://lipo.ece.wisc.edu/2005pubs/2005_40.pdf|publisher=University of Wisconsin-Madison|accessdate=20 December 2012}}{{cite journal|last1=Bird|first1=J.|last2=Lipo|first2=T.A.|title=Characteristics of an Electrodynamic Wheel Using a 2-D Steady-State Model|journal=IEEE Transactions on Magnetics|date=August 2007|volume=43|issue=8|pages=3395–3405|doi=10.1109/TMAG.2007.900572|bibcode=2007ITM....43.3395B|s2cid=22675786 }}
Unlike a conventional wheel, an electrodynamic wheel has a rim studded with magnets 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, 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 uses electrodynamic wheels to levitate itself over a conductive surface.{{Cite patent|country=US|number=9148077|title=Magnetic levitation of a stationary or moving object|pubdate=2015-09-29|inventor1-last=Henderson|inventor1-first=D. Gregory|assign1=ARX PAX LLC}}