Induction motors with electrostatic suspension

This paper studies electrostatically suspended induction motors (ESIM). The ESIM possesses the rotating ability of an ordinary electrostatic induction motor, in addition to providing contactless support by electrostatic suspension. To accomplish these two functions, a feedback control strategy and the operating principle of an ordinary electrostatic induction motor are used. The stator possesses electrodes which exert the electrostatic forces to the rotor and are divided into a part responsible for suspension and one for rotation. Two rotor types are utilized: a polished glass disk without any surface treatment, and a polished glass disk covered with a thin layer of conductive material (ITO layer) on only one side. In this paper, the principle of the ESIM is described, followed by stator electrode design, experimental apparatus, control strategy for stable suspension. Experimental results show that the glass disk has been rotated with a speed of approximately 70 rpm while being suspended stably at a gap length of 0.3 mm.