Increased levitation force in a stable hybrid superconducting magnetic levitation set-up

Abstract

We present results obtained with an original hybrid set-up permitting to increase strongly the levitation force of Superconducting Magnetic Levitating (SML) systems. We compare levitation force measurements carried out with this set-up to measurements carried out with a conventional one. We investigate the stability of the proposed system by measuring the lateral (or restoring) force. We show how to calculate the measured levitation and lateral forces from: i) those measured in the conventional configuration and ii) the repulsive force between the magnets included in the system. We discuss the conditions of stability of the proposed system as well as the consequences that its introduction could have on the future of SML MAGLEV trains.

Enhancing magnetic levitation and guidance force and weight efficiency of high‐temperature superconducting maglev systems by using sliced bulk YBCO

“…An effective method to increase the levitation efficiency is hybrid systems in which the PMs are used on the onboard side together with the HTSs. [34][35][36] This method utilises the bigger repulsive force interaction between the PMG and auxiliary onboard PMs. On the other hand, the PMG installation cost is a large part of the installation budget of the system as it is laid along kilometres of rails.…”

“…But there are commonly used two types of PMGs, conventional 32 and Halbach types, 33 and there is little left to do anymore to optimise them except for increasing the number of permanent magnets (PM). An effective method to increase the levitation efficiency is hybrid systems in which the PMs are used on the onboard side together with the HTSs 34–36 . This method utilises the bigger repulsive force interaction between the PMG and auxiliary onboard PMs.…”