Analysis and comparison of two two-dimensional Halbach permanent magnet arrays for magnetically levitated planar motor

A novel 2-D Halbach permanent magnet array which can be used in magnetically levitated planar motor is proposed in this paper. The air-gap flux density distribution of the novel 2-D Halbach permanent magnet array is solved by the scalar magnetic potential equation. In order to compare with the well-known Halbach magnet array that was used by Jansen et al. [IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl. 44(4), 1108 (2008)], harmonic analysis of the x- and z- component of the air-gap flux density are carried out by Fourier decomposition. Comparison of Bx and Bz between the two 2-D Halbach magnet arrays are made. And it is verified that the performance of the new Halbach magnet array is superior to the existing Halbach magnet arrays, its higher magnetic flux density and lower high-order harmonics will help to improve the performance of the magnetically levitated planar motor.