Magnetic-spring-based levitating actuators: Nonlinear resonance, modelling and control

This study investigates the nonlinear dynamics of a solenoid-driven electromechanical actuator, consisting of a plunger moving along a linear path through magnetic levitation control. Such actuators are important in applications where quick response times and precise linear motion control are required. In this contribution, the effect of mass on the nonlinear behaviour of a magnetic-spring-based solenoid actuator is investigated. The results highlight the occurrence of jump resonance, whose typical hysteresis is dependent on the mass of the levitating plunger. Furthermore, we provide experimental results on transient and steady-state analyses of the system step response under varying input conditions to determine a dynamical model. The observations in this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the actuator performance and its potential in real-world industrial applications.