Direct electrostatic levitation and propulsion

Abstract

A new type of mechanism featuring "direct electrostatic levitation and propulsion" (DELP) has been successfully developed. It can directly levitate and drive an object by using electrostatic force. A 3.5 inch diameter aluminum hard disk media has been suspended and transported without any mechanical contact. In this paper a brief review of the basic principle of the direct electrostatic levitation and propulsion is presented, followed by a description of the structure of the prototype DELP mechanism, including electrode design, position feedback control method for levitation, driving principle and the operational procedure. Experimental results which confirm the completely contactless levitation and propulsion are also presented.