Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2005. / "August 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-114). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Current physical supports used in cryogenic storage vessels, in which liquid hydrogen is stored, conduct heat from the environment to the liquid hydrogen which causes the hydrogen temperature to rise and ultimately leads to hydrogen losses due to boil-off. The focus of this study is to investigate magnetic levitation as a possible suspension mechanism, eliminating the use of current physical supports and so doing reducing hydrogen losses due to boil-off. A conceptual design of a container which makes use of magnetic suspension is presented in this study. The concept is validated on the basis of the forces obtainable between a paramagnetic aluminium plate and an electromagnet, as well as the forces obtainable between a neodymium magnet and a bulk Yttrium-Barium-Copper-Oxide superconductor. The forces between the paramagnetic aluminium plate and electromagnet were determined mathematically and tested experimentally. The forces between the magnet and superconductor were determined mathematically and by finite element modelling and simulations using ANSYS Multiphysics. The results obtained in the mathematical- and finite element studies were then validated experimentally. It was found that the forces obtained experimentally between the aluminium plate and electromagnets are inadequate for magnetic suspension of the inner vessel given in the conceptual design. It was also found that the forces obtained experimentally and in the simulation studies for the magnet and superconductor of this study were inadequate due to shortcomings in the magnet and superconductor obtained for experimental tests. The conclusion of this study is that electromagnetic levitation should not be used as a magnetic suspension mechanism for storage of liquid hydrogen. It is also concluded that superconducting levitation can not be used as a suspension mechanism for the concept presented in this study, unless the methods suggested to increase the levitation forces between the neodymium magnet and superconductor are executed. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Current physical supports used in cryogenic storage vessels, in which liquid hydrogen is stored, conduct heat from the environment to the liquid hydrogen which causes the hydrogen temperature to rise and ultimately leads to hydrogen losses due to boil-off. The focus of this study is to investigate magnetic levitation as a possible suspension mechanism, eliminating the use of current physical supports and so doing reducing hydrogen losses due to boil-off. A conceptual design of a container which makes use of magnetic suspension is presented in this study. The concept is validated on the basis of the forces obtainable between a paramagnetic aluminium plate and an electromagnet, as well as the forces obtainable between a neodymium magnet and a bulk Yttrium-Barium-Copper-Oxide superconductor. The forces between the paramagnetic aluminium plate and electromagnet were determined mathematically and tested experimentally. The forces between the magnet and superconductor were determined mathematically and by finite element modelling and simulations using ANSYS Multiphysics. The results obtained in the mathematical- and finite element studies were then validated experimentally. It was found that the forces obtained experimentally between the aluminium plate and electromagnets are inadequate for magnetic suspension of the inner vessel given in the conceptual design. It was also found that the forces obtained experimentally and in the simulation studies for the magnet and superconductor of this study were inadequate due to shortcomings in the magnet and superconductor obtained for experimental tests. The conclusion of this study is that electromagnetic levitation should not be used as a magnetic suspension mechanism for storage of liquid hydrogen. It is also concluded that superconducting levitation can not be used as a suspension mechanism for the concept presented in this study, unless the methods suggested to increase the levitation forces between the neodymium magnet and superconductor are executed. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, March, 1993. / Title from PDF t.p.

M.Ing. (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Note:

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 218-223. / by Paul Alan Basore. / M.S.

Thesis. 1977. Sc.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Includes bibliographical references. / Sc.D.

Magnetic suspension systems are highly nonlinear and essentially unstable systems. In this thesis, we utilize a phase-lead controller operating in the inner loop to stabilize the magnetic suspension system at first. Furthermore, we design a fuzzy PID controller operating in the outer loop to overcome the nonlinearity and to improve the system¡¦s performances. Because of setting the parameters in traditional fuzzy PID is a long-winded trial and error, so we adopt non-binary modified adaptive genetic algorithms to help us finding the parameters of fuzzy PID controller. As to the experimental implementation, we set two situations in our experiment test: (1) we utilize fuzzy PID controller with initial voltage to test the positions control, and eliminate the extra disturbance. And, (2) we utilize fuzzy PID controller without initial voltage to control the position of suspension object. For the experimental results, we obtain that the designed fuzzy PID controller not only increases the system¡¦s operating range, but also positions accurately and rapidly, and it meanwhile can eliminate the extra disturbance.

Abstract Magnetic suspension systems are highly nonlinear and essentially unstable systems. In this thesis, we facilitate the position control problem for the DC electromagnetic suspension system. We utilize a phase-lead controller operating in the inner loop to stabilize the system first, and try to design a PID fuzzy logic controller (PIDFLC) operating in the outer loop to overcome the nonlinearity of the system and to improve the system¡¦s performance. Since the work of setting fuzzy control parameters is a long-winded trial and error, we adopt non-binary modified GAs to help us setting and optimizing parameters. As experimental results show that the designed PIDFLC not only increases the system¡¦s operating range, but also positions accurately and rapidly; meanwhile, it has the ability to eliminate extra disturbance. In addition, comparing with other control theories, the control method which we utilize is easier to be implemented.