Design of a coil for electromagnetic levitation: comparison of numerical models and coil realization

R. Pons - A. Gagnoud - D. Chaussende - O. Budenkova

University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, SIMAP, F-38000 Grenoble, France

Abstract
Electromagnetic levitation is a unique environment allowing for making non-contact measurements over samples of liquid metals at different temperatures. The electromagnetic coil is the core of the electromagnetic levitation system, and its design defines the amount of energy introduced into the sample as well as the shape and stability of the latter during levitation. In the present work, analytical and numerical modelling for a real electromagnetic inductor is performed and compared with experimental observations. The shape of the experimental electromagnetic coil is assured due to 3D printing of a template which is used for the coil winding. Tables 3, Figs 5, Refs 14.

Key words: electromagnetic levitation, multiphysics three-dimensional numerical modelling, AC coil design, levitation equilibrium position.