Analysis of Levitational Systems for a Superconducting Launch Ring

• Published in: IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 2117 - 2120
• Main Authors: Hull, J.R., Fiske, J., Ricci, K., Ricci, M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-06-2007; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Acceleration; Applied sciences; Atmospheres; Chemical technology; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electronics; Evacuation systems; Exact sciences and technology; Launches; Magnetic levitation; Magnetic levitation vehicles; Materials; Power supplies; Projectiles; Rockets; Space technology; Stability; Static stability; Stators; Superconducting cables; Superconductivity; Superconductors; Vehicles; Superconducting materials; Magnetically levitated vehicle; Rail transportation; Stator; Steady state stability; Magnetic levitation
• ISSN: 1051-8223; 1558-2515
• DOI: 10.1109/TASC.2007.898464

The launch ring consists of a maglev system in which a levitated vehicle is accelerated in an evacuated circular tunnel until it reaches a desired velocity and then releases a projectile into a path leading to the atmosphere. This paper analyses several levitational concepts for a system that employs superconductors in the stator and on the vehicle. Both an attractive and a shear-force configuration are shown to offer complete static stability over the complete velocity range from 0 to 10 km/s.