What is a Halbach Array?

We shared magnetic solutions with the Halback Array for a wall-climbing robot, and many questions inboxes are about what is a Halbach Array. So I will introduce some basic concepts about it here.

A Halbach array is a magnetic arrangement structure. Before understanding this structure, let's first look at the magnetic field line distribution of some common permanent magnets.

From the diagram above, it is evident that the placement and arrangement of magnets directly affect the distribution of magnetic field lines, which in turn influences the magnetic field around the magnet.

Concept of the Halbach Array

The Halbach array is a magnetic structure discovered by American scientist Klaus Halbach in 1979 during electron acceleration experiments.

It is an almost ideal structure in engineering, enhancing the field strength in a particular direction using the least amount of magnetic material.

The Halbach array is composed entirely of rare-earth permanent magnet materials, and by arranging magnets with different magnetization directions in a specific pattern, it can concentrate magnetic field lines on one side while weakening them on the other, creating a unidirectional magnetic field.

This array has significant importance in engineering and is widely used in applications such as MRI, maglev trains, and permanent magnet motors.

Linear Array

A linear Halbach array is the most basic form. It can be seen as a combination of radial and tangential arrays.

This array is mainly used in linear motors, and in maglev trains, the interaction of the magnetic field and induced current in conductors generates a levitation force.

Ring Array

The ring Halbach array is formed by connecting the ends of a linear Halbach array into a circular shape. It is used in permanent magnet motors, bearings, and other devices.

Manufacturing Methods of Halbach Arrays

1. Adhesion of pre-magnetized segments using molds for clamping.
2. Creating a whole magnet and magnetizing it in a special jig for mass production.

3. Using specific winding arrays to achieve the Halbach magnetic field distribution.

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