Contactless power supply for magnetically levitated elevator systems using a SMC hybrid actuator

A contactless power supply (CPS) for the cabin of a magnetically levitated elevator is presented in this paper. In contrast to commercial stand-alone contactless power supply systems, a combined CPS and electromagnetic guiding system (MGS) is introduced. The inductive energy transmission is realized by utilizing the magnetic circuit of an actuator of the linear guiding. With this approach two devices are combined into one unit. The hybrid actuator consists of an omega shaped yoke, fabricated of soft magnetic composites (SMC), with permanent magnets and coils on its lateral arms. A concentrated primary winding is added to the guide rail and a coil wound around the central arm of the omega actuator functions as secondary winding. Hereby a superposition of the MGS flux and the CPS flux emerges in the magnetic circuit of the actuator and the transmission path is established. The proposed system requires less construction space and weight when compared to existing energy transmission systems.