Non-Contact DC Electromagnetic Propulsion by Multipole Transversal Field: Numerical and Experimental Validation

This paper describes the numerical and experimental validation of a novel non-contact dc electromagnetic propulsion concept. In the proposed approach, a propulsion coil carrying a dc current is surrounded by a dc transversal multipole field created inside of a launch tube. The interaction between the transversal dc magnetic field and a dc propulsion coil results in the generation of axial (thrust) force with no need of sliding contacts. This paper describes a numerical assessment of the field-current-force interactions based on both analytical calculations and finite elements, and the corresponding validation experiments. The experiments demonstrate the generation of contactless axial (thrust) force in a dc launch coil using a dc transversal multipole field, and provide a benchmark for the model-based prediction of the field-current-force interactions. Partial magnetic shielding of the propulsion coil is used to selectively attenuate the magnetic field experienced by the thrust coil in a way that a net thrust force is achieved. Experimental measurements confirmed that it is indeed possible to generate contact-free thrust force on a dc propulsion coil using a dc multipole magnetic field, and the measured values of thrust force are in good agreement with the corresponding predictions.