Electromagnetic field and lifting capacity for longitudinal electromagnetic levitator

Detailed studies of the longitudinal electromagnetic levitator are presente d. An appropriate electric current model for the computation of the electro magnetic force field in the levitated specimen is introduced. From this new model, the essential equations for the electromagnetic field and the lifti ng force field for a cylindrical sample are derived and the current density distribution is studied. Both lifting force and lifting capacity for the l ongitudinal electromagnetic levitator are analyzed and compared with the ex perimental data. The results can be used to design longitudinal electromagn etic levitators for different levitation purposes, to select suitable mater ial for levitation, and to provide the framework for further investigation of melting phenomena and materials processing using the longitudinal electr omagnetic levitator.