CA1270913A

CA1270913A - Magnetic power system for low-friction transportation of loads

Info

Publication number: CA1270913A
Application number: CA000530639A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Peter Schuster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-27
Filing date: 1987-02-26
Publication date: 1990-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2007-06-26
Also published as: NO904687D0; GR3001078T3; EP0234543B1; AU7125187A; CN1007505B; JPS63502555A; LV10412A; DK15291D0; DK545487D0; JPH088726B2; RO105680B1; HU205302B; TR23073A; EP0234543A1; MA20886A1; LV10411A; BR8706040A; GR3002334T3; RO105679B1; FI874694A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention resides in a magnetic force system for frictionless transportation of loads, with at least one magnet (1) secured to the load (7), the magnet being arranged with respect to a ferromagnetic support profile (2). It is important that the magnet (1) be arranged with respect to the profile (2) such that the pole surfaces of the magnet (1) cooperate with at least one vertical profile wall, and are essentially parallel to that wall. A particularly good embodiment is obtained by providing magnets on both sides of a profile wall (2), the magnets having identical poles toward the wall (repulsion principle). Longitudinally, the magnets are arranged in pairs and are close-circuited in pairs by a ferromagnetic plate (4).

Description

~L~'7~3~

M~GNETIC POWER SYSTEM FOR LOW-FRICTION
TRANSPORTATION OF LOADS
The invention relates to a magnetic system for the low-friction transportation of loads, in accordance with the introductory portion of claim 1.
Known magnetic power systems, also called glide systems, move in a practically frictionless manner over support rails, with a particular separation gap from the rails. These systems are generally very expensive and complicated, so th~t their profitablenPss comes into ~uestion.
In the VDI-News No. 1 of 03.01.86, the Magnetic Railway "Transrapid 06~7 of Emden is described. It is evident that a large technical expenditure is necessary in order to support the vehicle at a height of 1 cm. ~
Unfortunately, the energy consumption necessary to float the 120 ton vehicle is not given. With a load of 196 persons, this corresppnds to a weight of about 120,000 kg, which is 612 kg per person (allowing 80 kg per person). To this must be added the expense of the practical application, and the still unsolved problems relating to snow and ice.
Substantial difficulties have been experienced in the known Japanese suspension railways. Some of these must proceed on wheels until a speed of 200 km/h is reached, at which point the suspension begins.
The so-called "Berlin Magnetic Railway", described in DE-OS 24 26 053, functions in a similar way. The difference here lies in the fact that the guiding rollers are directed over the magnetic field.
Additionally, in French Application 22 28 650, published on December 6, 1974, there is descrlbed a magnetic transportion system in which magnets, in particular permanent magnets, are positioned with respect to ferromagnetic profiles. The magnets are however arranged relatively to the profiles in ~`'`'' ~

:: .

. ,- ~
, (3~

accordance with the principle of attraction, i.e. with opposite poles facing each other. ~ssociated with these are the essentially horizontally lying ferromagnekic walls. By this means a relatively small load capacity is attained. The total load here is many times the payload.
From DE-OS 33 ~7 635, published on July 18, 1985, there is known a magnetic power system which is also constructed in accordance with the principle of attraction, i.e. opposed poles in relation to ferromagnetic walls. Here also, a relatively small load carrying capacity is attained. Moreover, the construction utilized is very expensive since many magnets must be employed in order to lift a given load.
Finally, DE-OS 21 46 143, published March 22, 1973, shows a magnetic power system with at least one magnet and at least one pole surface to which the load is secured. Further there i~ provided a weakly magnetic support profile mounted on a fixed support, the profile wall thereof being vertically oriented and the profile surface projecting in the direction o~ the support.
However, the system uses guide systems with regulated electromagnets as lateral guides, which makes the system construction relatively complex.

2~ The aim of the invention is to provide a magnetic power system of the previously described kind, which does not require adjustment, is simple and easy to construct, and provides a reliable functioning with a minimal consumption of energy.
In accordance with the invention, these aims are attained by means of a magnetic power system with the characteristics of claim 1.
In this connection, the magnets are so arranged with respect to the ferromagnetic profiles that the pole surfaces of the magnets are arranged essentially parallel to the vertical surfaces of the support .. , ... . " .

. :
; . .

~;~7~3~3~

profile, and that, by mechanical means, on the one hand a specific air gap is attained between the parallel surfaces, and on the other hand a vertical movement capability of the magnets is attained. By this means, a very good guiding level is attained without any adjustment, so that a simpler and cheaper construction can be obtained.

, .

. .

~ 3~

In accordance with a further form of the inventive concept, the transportation system comprises at least one magnet which is disposed within a downwardly open U-profile made of ~errornagnetic ma~erial. The poles of the magnets are directed to the sides, so that these interact only with the vertical side surfaces of the supporting profile. The gap between the magnet and the support rail permits a floatiny and gliding movement of the vehicle around curves. In order to ensure an accurate movement around curves it is advantageous to provide guide rollers which hol~ the magnets precisely in the middle of the profile. If an attempt is made to move the magnets vertically away, an ever increasing force arises to counteract such movement. Under load, the magnets are drawn out of the profile to the point where the restoring force equals the load. In consequence, no adjustment is necessary to establish the vertical posikion of the magnets. If the magnets are completely shielded from the side walls of the support profile, the force of attraction ceases.
The drive of the vehicle can be arranged in various ways, for example with drive rollers in contact with the support rails, or with the help of a linear motor.
More particularly, this invention provides a magnetic ~orce system for low friction transportation of loads comprising at least one ferromagnetic support profile and a permanent support, the ferromagnetic support profile being secured to the permanent support and having at least one vertically extending profile wall, the profile wall defining a travel direction and having opposite sides, the system further comprising at least one pair of magnets, the magnets arranged on the opposite sides of the at least one profile wall, the magnets carrying the loads and each magnet including a set of at least two permanent magnets arranged one behind the other in travel direction essentially parallel to the profile wall, the permanent magnets .~, .

~ ::
. .
: , :. ;

3a having inner and outer holes oriented relative to the profile wall transversely to the travel direction, an air gap existing between each permanent magnet and the support profile, mechanical means for constantly maintaining the air gaps, wherein the poles of the permanent magnets which are arranged opposite each other with respect to the proPile wall are identical.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the support profile can be of ferromaynetic material, shaped as a downwardly open U-profile. In this case, the arrangement includes at least one magnet, whereby the poles of the magnet are directed horizontally, i.e. laterally in the direction of the sides of the U-profile. The magnetic lines will run through the upwardly closed U-profile. Structurally, this is the simplest solution, and one that is very economical.
As an alternative, the support profile can be made as two vertical, essentially parallel side walls made of ferromagnetic material, wherein the side walls are not closed or connected by a ferromagnetic connecting element. Between the inner surfaces of the walls are arranged at least two magnets in sequential positions ., :

~'7~g"~

one ~ehind the other, with their polarities reversed from each other. In this case, the magnetic lines run between two sequentially adjacen-t magnets and pass through the support plate lying adjacent the poles.
In accordance with the invention, two pairs of magnets can be arranged with respect to a ferromagnetic profile wall. In this case, the poles that are in opposition with respect to the wall are the same. The operation is according to the principle of repulsion.
It has been shown that the use of repulsive principle attains a much increased level of effectiveness, just as with the principle of attraction.
A longitudinally directed ferromagnetic pipe can be used as the profile wall, in accordance with the invention.
The effectiveness is even more greatly increased-if the outer poles of two longitudinally sequential magnets are close-circuited across a ferromagnetic plate. In particular, in the case of an identical pole arrangement with respect to a support wall, or an arrangement where the magnets are-inside and outside of the arms of a U-profile, the close-circuiting of the outer poles of the outer magnets attains an optimum magnetic flux.
An upwardly open U-profile can be used as the element which closes the circuit of the outer magnets.
In this case the magnets are arranged in longitudinal contact with each other on the inside of the profile arms.
By the provision of several juxtaposed profiles which have several profile walls parallel to each other with correspondingly arranged magnets, a substantial increase in the payload can be attained.
The magnets utilized can be permanent magnets or eIectromagnets. The use of permanent magnets provides substantial advantage by comparison to the u~e of electromagnets. For example, with the use of permanent magnets, no additional energy is necessary for the lift, since the work required for the support is provided at no cost by the permanent magnets. Energy is required ~: : ~ ~, : :..
: . :, " ' '..' :. ' . ,.,.: .. ..

.. ' """'''`""' ' 1.'. '" ' . ' ' .

~7~3~

only for movement of the vehicle, which for example rnay be provided by a linear motor. A further advantage is that the gap between the magnets and the support rails does not need to be controlled. The enormous technical expense required in the known systems is not necessary here. By this means, a secure functioning is guaranteed, free of disturbances. By the employment of permanent magnets and the elimination of the heavy electromagnets, the weight is decreased. If the electrical current fails, no problems arise. The vehicle remains suspended in the magnetic field of the permanent magnets. The entire construction becomes easier and therefore more economical both in construction and use. Due to the decreased energy requirement, the system in accordance with the invention is less disturbing to the environment and creates substantially less noise than other known systems.
The magnetic power system according to the invention permits installations having differing constructions. For example, the load being transported by the system can be situated above the profile/magnet combination. This permits what can be called a standing arrangement.
The load being carried by the system can however also be located under the profile/magnet arrangement.
This can be called a suspended arrangement. This suspended arrangement can be conceived in several advantageous variations, because in this case the ferromagnet support profile and also the drive element are provided beneath the support system, which may be a concrete support. In this manner, the susceptibility to adverse weather, particularly in winter, can be decreased, The invention will be described below with respect to several embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which Figures 1 through 10 show several embodiments and arrangements of the support profiles and the magnets used in the magnetic powe~ system in accordance with the invention. More particularly:

.A , .. ~., ~ .

. .
. ~ .

~ 3~

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment with a U-shaped support profile ancl maynets disposed between the arms of the profile, in the unloaded condition;
Figure 2 shows the same arrangement as in Figure 1, under load, with the magnet vertically displaced below the profi.le;
Figure 3 shows a second embodiment with two plate-like support profiles, and magnets arranyed in pairs between them;
Figure 4 shows a third embodiment with a plate-like support profile and to either side of the profile maynets arranged in pairs and close-circuited by plates;
Figure 5 shows an embodiment similar to that of Figure 4, with a pipe in place of the middle profile plate;
Fiyure 6 shows an embodiment as in Fiyure 4, with a close-circuit U-profile instead of the plates for the maynets;
Figure 7 shows a further embodiment, with a U-shaped support profile, and magnets arranyed between the arms and outside the arms;
Figure 8 shows an embodiment as in Figure 7, utilizing an upwardly open U-profile to close the circuit of the outer maynets;
Figure 9 shows a multiple arrangement of the embodiment o~ Figure 7;
Figure 10 shows a horizontal section at the line X-X in Figure 1, specifically the arrangement of yuide rollers for the magnets in relation to the profile arms;
Figures 11 through 14 show possible arrangements for systems utilizing concrete supports in which:
Figure 11 shows a first arrangement with the load located under the profile/magnet combination (suspended arrangement);
Figure 12 shows an arrangement with the load above the pro~ile/maynet combination (standing arrangement);
Figure 13 is a side elevation of a system utilizing a suspended load, in which the load is a personnel transportation vehicle; and .~. . .
::

: :, ': : '' ~, , .;
, . . .
:

:

~7~''3~

Figure 14 is a front ele~ation of the arrangernent of Figure 13.
In the embodiment shown Figures 1 and 2, a U-shaped track made of ferromagnetic material is provided as the support profile 2. Between the two vertical arms of the downwardly open profile 2, a magnet 1 is so provided that the two pole surfaces are located closely adjacent the side walls, and essentially parallel therewith. By this means, the magnetic lines of force from one pole can pass through the nearer side wall, the base of the profile, and the second side wall, thence into the second pole of the magnet 1. The magnetic lines of force thus have an optimum circuit.
Figure 2 shows the situation arising under a large load with the arrangement according to Figure 1. The further the magnet is withdrawn downwardly due to a weight fastened thereto, the greater is the force working thereon (suspension force). Under load, the magnets are withdrawn out of the profile to the point where the attractive force is in equilibrium with the load. As a result, no outside control is required to establish the vertical position of the magnets.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the support profile 2 consists of two vertically arranged ferromagnetic plates, parallel to each other, which are not close-circuited by other ferromagnetic material.
Between the inner surfaces of the plates 2 are arranged a pair of magnets sequentially in the longitudinal direction, such that the pair of magnets dispose opposite poles toward each other.
The version shown in Figure 4 shows the track-like support profile 2 to be a flat plate, to either side of which is provided a pair of magnets. With respect to the profile track 2, the corresponding opposed magnets exhibit the same pole toward each other, thus south-south or north-north (principle of repulsion).
The outer poles of the respective pairs of magneks that are sequentially arranged in the longitudinal direction are close-circuited through a ferromagnetic plate ~. By :
- . ~ . .

.

3 '3~

this means, the magnetic lines of Porce are optimized, these lines running between the pair of maynets oriented in the longitudinal direction, and also through -the profile 2 and the plate 4~
Figure 5 shows an embodiment similar to Figure 4, with however the difference that a ferromagnetic pipe is used between -the magnets instead of the profile wall.
Figure 6 likewise shows an ernbodiment simllar to Figure 4, however instead of the close-circu;ting plate

4 there is utilized an upwardly open U-profile. The magnets are in contact in the longitudinal direction on the inside of the profile arms.
The embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 shows a version with increased force, in which the support profile 2 is a downwardly open U-profile. In relation to its two side walls or arms, magnets in the same or similar configuration as in Figures 1 and 4 are provided, both between the arms and outside of them.
Here also the opposing pole surfaces have the same value, so that the lines of force, repelling each other, take a corresponding circuit through the ferromagnetic support walls or close-circuiting plates. Generally this is a combination of Figures 1 and 4 as concerns the circuit of the lines of force, as well as the created supporting force. Thus a corresponding increase in force is attained.
Figure 8 shows a similar arrangement as in Figure 7, however in this case, similarly to Fïgure 6, the outer longitudinally contacting magnets 1 are close-circuited through an upwardly open U-profile 4.
The inner magnets 1 are spaced away from the close-circuiting profile 4 by an isolation member 8.
This embodiment has e~fectively two magnetic line circuits. The first runs from the inner magnet 1 through the inner U-profile 2, as in the example according to Figure 1. The second runs through the close-circuiting profile 4, the outer magnets, and then the inner profile 2. By this means, a large magnetic concentration is attained, as in the example of Figure .~, ~ ~ . .

.: .
, , :.
.. . .
.. ....
:~ , , : .
;: ~ .

7. As the weight increases, however, the efficiency generally does not importantly increase.
Figure 9 shows a multiple arrangement of the embodiment according to Figure 7. By means of this arrangement, an increase in force is attained.
In Figure 10 the disposition of the magnets l in relation to the side walls o~ the support profile 2 can be seen. Guide rollers 3 are so arranged that the magnets remain precisely in the middle between the walls, even around curves.
Figure ll shows a possible application of the system 1, 2 in the suspended arrangement. The support profiles 2 are fastened on the underside of a concrete support 6, while magnets 1, cooperating with the profiles 2, are provided above a load 7 which hangs underneath, this for example being a transport vehicle.
Further, guide rollers 3 are provided on the load or vehicle 7, on the upper extremity thereof, the rollers being operatively associated with intermediate support rails. Propulsion comes about by means of a linear motor 5 arranged in the middle.
Figure 12 shows a standing arrangement of the load 7 with respect to the system 1, 2. The profile supports 2 are again located on the underside of the concrete support, or on lateral arms of the concrete support 6.
The load or vehicle 7 is positioned above the support 6 and grips under the lateral arms of the concrete support 6, the magnets being so arranged that they cooperate with the supports 2. The concrete support 6 has at the middle of its upper side a guide track with a guide roller (not shown) and the linear motor 5 provided for movement.
In Figure 13 and 14, a practical embodiment is illustrated. The load or vehicle 7 is in thi~ case a personnel carrying vehicle. On its upper side the magnets l are secured, these extending into a downwardly open U-support. It can be seen that the vehicle 7 moves in the suspended arrangement.

~. ~ .

. ~: . ~ ; .
~ , ~

: .
:
. .

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A magnetic force system for low friction transportation of loads comprising at least one ferromagnetic support profile and a permanent support, the ferromagnetic support profile being secured to the permanent support and having at least one vertically extending profile wall, the profile wall defining a travel direction and having opposite sides, the system further comprising at least one pair of magnets, the magnets arranged on the opposite sides of the at least one profile wall, the magnets carrying the loads and each magnet including a set of at least two permanent magnets arranged one behind the other in travel direction essentially parallel to the profile wall, the permanent magnets having inner and outer holes oriented relative to the profile wall transversely to the travel direction, an air gap existing between each permanent magnet and the support profile, mechanical means for constantly maintaining the air gaps, wherein the poles of the permanent magnets which are arranged opposite each other with respect to the profile wall are identical.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sets of permanent magnets are arranged in travel direction with opposite poles toward each other, the permanent magnets arranged one behind the other in travel direction having an air gap therebetween.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the support profile is a downwardly open U-profile having side walls, the side walls forming the parallel vertical profile walls, the permanent magnets being arranged between the profile walls.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the outer poles of each set of permanent magnets are close-circuited by a ferromagnetic plate each.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the close-circuiting plates are constructed as an upwardly open U-profile, on the inside of which the permanent magnets are secured in contacting relation.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the support profile is a downwardly open U-profile, the U-profile having two vertical side walls forming the profile walls, the profile defining outer sides, and wherein inside the profile between the two vertical side walls at least one additional magnet is provided, and that on the respective outer sides of the walls the at least one pair of magnets are provided, whereby similar magnetic poles are directed toward each other with respect to the vertical walls according to the propulsion principle.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the outer magnets are close-circuited through an upwardly open U-profile, and the inner magnet is shielded from the U-profile by an insulation member.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein in order to increase the payload, several profiles, with correspondingly arranged magnets, are disposed adjacent one another.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the load to be moved by the system is provided above the profile/magnet arrangement whereby a standing arrangement is formed.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the load to be moved by the system is located below the profile/magnet arrangement whereby a suspended arrangement is formed.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein a linear motor is provided as a prime mover in the system.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein there are provided, as a driving means in the system, drive rollers cooperating with the profile and driven by at least one motor.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the poles of each set of permanent magnets are oriented identically with respect to the travel direction, the permanent magnets being placed in direct contact with each other in travel direction.