Magnetic Brake Considerations for the High-Tc Superconducting Maglev Vehicle System

• Published in: Journal of superconductivity and novel magnetism Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 651 - 654
• Main Authors: Deng, Zigang, Wang, Jiasu, Zheng, Jun, Lu, Yiyun, Zhang, Ya, Wang, Suyu
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-07-2010; Springer
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic Materials; Magnetic properties; Magnetism; Original Paper; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Properties of type I and type II superconductors; Strongly Correlated Systems; Superconductivity; Magnetic brake; Maglev vehicle; High temperature superconductor; Permanent magnet guideway; Force measurement; Permanent magnets; Railroad cars; Field distribution; High-Tc superconductors; Guideway; Brakes; Magnetic levitation; Non contact measurement
• ISSN: 1557-1939; 1557-1947
• DOI: 10.1007/s10948-010-0700-5

Levitation, guidance and driving/braking are three indispensable parts for a high temperature superconducting Maglev vehicle system. To maintain the advantage of a passive, non-contact levitation system, a magnetic brake based on a discontinuous permanent magnet guideway (PMG) is introduced. Its feasibility is verified by the experimental investigations on the behavior of a levitated bulk high temperature superconductor (HTSC) moving towards the broken-off PMG. When the bulk moves towards the broken-off PMG, a braking force will be generated to hold back the bulk due to the inhomogeneous field distribution. That is to say, this magnetic braking mechanism can act as a safe-protection function. The magnetic brake just makes use of the existing PMG, which is very simple with no extra components needing to be added. This makes it very economical and practical for the future application of the HTS Maglev vehicle system.