Influencing Factors of Levitation Drift Caused by Magnet Vibration

In a levitated high-temperature superconducting system, the drift of levitated body due to vibration of the permanent magnet or an alternating magnetic field is a key and fatal subject in its applications. In this paper, the levitation drift caused by a PM vibration is investigated by a vibration measurement system. The influences of critical current density, levitation gap, weight of the levitated body, voltage across the shaker (amplitude of vibration), cooling height, etc. on the levitation drift have been measured, respectively. In the end, several methods which can reduce the levitation drift are presented and compared; the most reliable method is enhancing the critical current density of the superconductors.     

Optimization of levitation and guidance forces in a superconducting Maglev system

Optimization of the levitation for superconducting Maglev systems requires effective use of vertical and guidance forces during the operation. In this respect the levitation and guidance forces in terms of various permanent magnet array configurations are analyzed. The arrangements of permanent magnet arrays interacting with the superconductor are configured for the purpose of increasing the magnetic flux density. According to configurations, modeling the interaction forces between the permanent magnet and the superconductor are established in terms of the frozen image model. The model is complemented with the analytical calculations and provides a reasonable agreement with the experiments. The agreement of the analytical calculation associated with the frozen image model indicates a strong case to establish an optimization, in which provides preliminary analysis before constructing more complex Maglev system.     

Observation of the Field,Current and Force Distributions in an Optimized Superconducting Levitation with Translational Symmetry

The superconducting levitation realized by immersing the high-temperature superconductors (HTSs) into nonuniform magnetic field is deemed promising in a wide range of industrial applications such as maglev transportation and kinetic energy storage. Using a well-established electromagnetic model to mathematically describe the HTS, we have developed an efficient scheme that is capable of intelligently and globally optimizing the permanent magnet guideway (PMG) with single or multiple HTSs levitated above for the maglev transportation applications. With maximizing the levitation force as the principal objective, we optimized the dimensions of a Halbach-derived PMG to observe how the field, current and force distribute inside the HTSs when the optimized situation is achieved. Using a pristine PMG as a reference, we have analyzed the critical issues for enhancing the levitation force through comparing the field, current and force distributions between the optimized and pristine PMGs. It was also found that the optimized dimensions of the PMG are highly dependent upon the levitated HTS. Moreover, the guidance force is not always contradictory to the levitation force and may also be enhanced when the levitation force is prescribed to be the principle objective, depending on the configuration of levitation system and lateral displacement.     

高温超导磁悬浮测试系统

介绍一种高温超导磁悬浮测试系统,该系统主要包括液氮低温容器,永磁体轨道,数据采集和处理,机械传动和自动控制四部分,采用了能放量高温超导体块材的薄底液氮低温容器（杜瓦容器）,解决了将高温超导体块材置于永久磁体之上的磁悬浮测量问题,能实时检测多块或单块高温超导体块材的各种高温超导磁悬浮性能。     

Size Effects on Levitation Force Between a Magnet and a Superconducting Thin Film in the Meissner State

The levitation force between a permanent magnetic disk and a thin superconducting disk in the Meissner state is calculated using the dipole–dipole interactions model. The levitation force as a function of the magnet and superconductor radii, the levitation height, and the superconductor thickness is studied under the assumption that the radius of the magnet is much smaller than the radius of the superconductor. Results showed an increase in the levitation force as a function of the radius of the superconducting disk. However, the levitation force decreases as the radius of the permanent magnetic disk increases. Demagnetizing effects are taken into account by considering the appropriate demagnetizing factor for the suggested system.     

The Influence of Excitation Frequency on Magnetic Levitation Systems with a High-T c Superconductor

In this paper we present a numerical analysis of dynamic features of the levitation system generated by an interaction between a levitated permanent magnet (PM) and a high-T _c superconductor (HTSC) excited by an oscillatory external source. The obtained results show that the value of the frequency (f _free) of the PM displacement in the case of the levitation system generated by an interaction between a levitated PM and a fixed HTSC is equal at the resonance frequency (f _re) of the levitation system generated by an interaction between a levitated PM and HTS excited by an oscillatory external source and the resonance frequency (f _re) is mainly dependent upon the cooling position (Z ₀) and the mass of the PM. The numerical problem in this paper is solved by using the control volume method (CVM).     

Influence of the Trapped Field on the Levitation Performance of the Magnetized Bulk High-<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> Superconductor

A magnetized bulk high-T _c superconductor (HTSC) magnet is a good candidate to improve the levitation performance of the high-T _c superconducting (HTS) maglev system. Compared with the unmagnetized bulk HTSC, the magnetized bulk HTSC magnet can supply stronger levitation or guidance force above a permanent magnet guideway (PMG). Different from the permanent magnet, the magnetic field of a magnetized bulk HTSC magnet is sustained by the induced superconducting current produced during the magnetizing process. Given that the induced superconducting current within the magnetized bulk HTSC magnet is very sensitive to the magnetic field, the levitation performance of the magnetized bulk HTSC magnet is directly related to its own trapped field and the magnetic field of the PMG. This article discusses the influence of trapped and external magnetic fields on the levitation performance of a magnetized bulk HTSC magnet by experiments, and the Critical State Model is used to analyze the test results. The analyses and conclusions of this article are useful for the application of magnetized bulk HTSC magnet in practical HTS maglev systems.     

Zero-Power Magnetic Levitation Using Composite of Magnetostrictive/Piezoelectric Materials

We present a zero-power magnetic levitation technique using a composite of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials. The composite is bonded to iron yokes with an attached permanent magnet, by which the magnetic force exerted on movable yoke via air gap is controlled by the applied voltage on the piezoelectric material. The magnetic force control is based on the inverse magnetostrictive effect of the magnetostrictive material, i.e., the magnetization is varied with mechanical stress. The advantage of the composite is zero power consumption, because no current flows in static operation as a result of the capacitive property of the piezoelectric material. This feature will be useful in high-precision stage or conveyor systems using magnetic levitation where heat generation and power consumption should be avoided. The zero power characteristic of the composite is valid at any reference gap or load, whereas that of the conventional electromagnetic type is valid only at the equilibrium gap. We performed two levitation experiments: one using the composite to demonstrate the zero power advantage, and the other combining the composite to adjust the bias gap and electromagnet to stabilize the motion of the levitated yoke. The composite driven by a small dc-dc converter successfully varied the gap and maintained it constant with zero power consumption.     

Flux Concentrator Optimization of PMG for High-Temperature Superconducting Maglev Vehicle System

The permanent magnetic guideway (PMG) composed of permanent magnet (PM) and steel is developed under flux concentration principle, which is the crucial component of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev vehicle system. Optimum PMG design is an effective way to increase levitation force and associated stiffness for improving the load capability of HTS maglev vehicle. In order to realize higher vertical field component B _z in upper surface, three PMG demonstrators with three different forms of flux concentrator are fabricated with same volume of magnet. The levitation performances of onboard HTS bulks array over them are studied. The experimental results indicate that the PMG with a permanent magnet as the flux concentrator would produce biggest levitation force, levitation stiffness and trapped flux when interacting with HTS superconductor.     

The Stable Levitation of an Iron Ball over a Ring Magnet

An iron ball floats in midair in a plastic tube when the plastic tube is coaxially inserted in a ring-shaped permanent magnet. A ring permanent magnet has a special paraboloidal interface around its axis, the magnetic field Bz is of negative value, and points down in the range Zlow. But it is of positive value and points up in the range Zup; it is 0 at Z0 position. The iron ball cannot be stable levitated over the ring magnet no matter it is in the Zlow or Zup regions; it is only possible to realize the stable levitation of the iron ball at Z0 position. Theoretical calculation and experiment have been done and identified the stable levitation of an iron ball over a ring magnet. It is helpful to design and develop new magnetic levitation system for practical applications.     

Measurement Method to Evaluate the Practical Levitation Force of Onboard Bulk Superconductor in the High-Temperature Superconducting Maglev Vehicle System

As the basic parameter in the design of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet levitation (maglev) vehicle system, the levitation force data are usually obtained by experiments, so a reliable measurement method is needed to know the practical levitation force of onboard bulk superconductor. Considering in the actual operation the vehicle will experience some small vertical or lateral movements, especially during the passenger going on or off the vehicle, the usual measurement method for levitation force, in which force with gap and force relaxation are measured, cannot be able to predict the levitation force change due to the vertical or lateral movements. So a measurement method is presented regarding effects of force with gap, relaxation, vertical and lateral movements. Compared with a former measurement method, the presented method may support more reliable levitation force data for the HTS maglev vehicle design.     

Magnetic Brake Considerations for the High-<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>c</Subscript> Superconducting Maglev Vehicle System

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.     

Design of an energy storage flywheel system using permanent magnet bearing (PMB) and superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB)

We propose a new energy storage flywheel system using a superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB) and a permanent magnet bearing (PMB). The superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB) suppresses the vibrations of the flywheel rotor. And the permanent magnet bearing (PMB) passively controls the rotor position. The energy storage flywheel system is characterized by using the two different type magnetic bearings of permanent magnet bearing (PMB) and superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB). This paper, discusses the design of the permanent magnet bearing (PMB) and the dynamics of the new energy storage flywheel system.     

Forces and moments for electrodynamic levitation systems--Large-scale test results and theory

The dynamic circuit theory for the analysis of the suspension characteristics of electrodynamic magnetic levitation schemes for realistic magnet and guideway configurations is reviewed. Electrodynamic forces and moments have been measured on a large-scale stationary superconducting magnet interacting with an aluminum strip mounted on the rim of a 7.6-m diameter rotating test wheel. Good agreement is found between analytical and experimental results over the speed range to 100 km/h for the electrodynamic forces of test configurations which provide a rigorous test for theory. The speed dependence of moments is reported and used to estimate the force distribution on the superconducting coil. The dynamic circuit theory is then used to determine the suspension characteristics of the levitation system for the proposed Canadian Maglev vehicle.     

Levitation-Force Investigation of High-Temperature Superconducting Maglev System Under Different Variations of the Vertical Displacement

In the practical application of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev vehicle, the vehicle body ascends and descends in the vertical direction frequently with the passengers on and off boarding, such vertical movement may change the levitation performance but this influence have not been researched. In this article, the influence of the vertical movement on the levitation force in two different types of permanent magnet guideway (PMG) and different movement displacements was experimentally analyzed. We found that the levitation force drastically decays first, and then decays slightly, which is similar to the relaxation phenomena. Meanwhile, the experimental results indicate that the levitation force decay trends to enlargement with the decrease of the working height (WH) and with the increase of the vertical displacements. These phenomena can be ascribed to the magnetic hysteresis loss in the bulk high-temperature superconductor (HTSC).     

Enhanced Maglev Performance by Field Cooling for HTS Maglev System in Curve Negotiation

In the practical operation of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev system, the problem of curve negotiation cannot be neglected. During the process of going through curve path, the maglev vehicle would laterally deviate from the center of the permanent magnet guideway (PMG) because of centrifugal forces. To explore the performance variation of the maglev system in this process, the electromagnetic forces (levitation force and guidance force) of a HTS bulk levitation unit were experimentally investigated by different eccentric distances (EDs). The ED is emulated by laterally moving the levitation unit relative to the PMG. Experimental result shows that in field-cooling (FC) conditions, the levitation force generally shows a increase tendency with the growing EDs, while it keeps decreasing in zero-field-cooling (ZFC) conditions. And, the levitation force with large EDs in the FC condition is larger than that in the ZFC condition. The guidance force is enhanced in both conditions within ED of 15 mm, and in FC condition, the force is larger than the case of ZFC. Comparing the above two important magnetic force results, the FC condition is recommended for the safe operation of the HTSn system in curve negotiation.     

Force Analysis of a Permanent Magnet and a Superconducting Hollow Cylinder

The interaction between a cylindrical magnet and a superconducting hollow cylinder in the Meissner state was analyzed using a dipole?Cdipole model. Analytical expression of the levitation force was derived as a function of the magnetic moment, radius of the magnet, radius, and thickness of the superconductor sample. The effect of the magnet??s dimensions on the levitation force was studied. The obtained results show that there is strong dependence of the levitation force on the magnetic dipole orientation at a small magnet?Csuperconductor distance.     

‘Electromaglev’-magnetic levitation of a superconducting disc with a DC field generated by electromagnets: Part 1. Theoretical and experimental results on operating modes, lift-to-weight ratio, and suspension stiffness

We present results of a comprehensive study, both theoretical and experimental, of an ‘electromaglev’ system, in which a high-temperature superconducting bulk sample, e.g. YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (YBCO), is levitated stably in a DC magnetic field generated by electromagnets placed underneath the floating object. Results of the zeroth-order theory agree quite well with experimental results on lift-to-weight ratio and suspension stiffness for three bulk samples: (1) a solid YBCO disc; (2) a YBCO annulus; and (3) a YBCO annulus with a neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) permanent magnet disc (PMD) filling the centre. The experiment has also verified the need to satisfy two requirements to achieve stable levitation with a DC magnetic field only: (1) the spatial flow of the supercurrent in the sample must have at least two degrees of freedom; and (2) the electromagnets must generate a magnetic field profile that satisfies spatial requirements for lateral and pitch stability. A permanent magnet disc has only one degree of freedom for its Amperian current, thus it cannot be levitated stably in this system; the experiment has also demonstrated that an HTS solenoid (wound with silver-sheathed BSCCO-2223 tape) cannot be levitated stably, because the solenoid supercurrent flow is also restricted to the azimuthal direction only. The zeroth-order theory together with the Bean model shows that the supercurrent induced in a YBCO sample is independent of the critical current density, J_c, of the material but is directly proportional to the axial component of the field and that the lift of the sample is directly proportional to the product of the axial and radial components of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnets.     

Superconducting bulk magnet for maglev vehicle: Stable levitation performance above permanent magnet guideway

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev vehicle is well known as one of the most potential applications of bulk high-temperature superconductors (HTSCs) in transported levitation system. Many efforts have promoted the practice of the HTS maglev vehicle in people's life by enhancing the load capability and stability. Besides improving the material performance of bulk HTSC and optimizing permanent magnet guideway (PMG), magnetization method of bulk HTSC is also very effective for more stable levitation. Up to now, applied onboard bulk HTSCs are directly magnetized by field cooling above the PMG for the present HTS maglev test vehicles or prototypes in China, Germany, Russia, Brazil, and Japan. By the direct-field-cooling-magnetization (DFCM) over PMG, maglev performances of the bulk HTSCs are mainly depended on the PMG's magnetic field. However, introducing HTS bulk magnet into the HTS maglev system breaks this dependence, which is magnetized by other non-PMG magnetic field. The feasibility of this HTS bulk magnet for maglev vehicle is investigated in the paper. The HTS bulk magnet is field-cooling magnetized by a Field Control Electromagnets Workbench (FCEW), which produces a constant magnetic field up to 1 T. The levitation and guidance forces of the HTS bulk magnet over PMG with different trapped flux at 15 mm working height (WH) were measured and compared with that by DFCM in the same applied PMG magnetic field at optimal field-cooling height (FCH) 30 mm, WH 15 mm. It is found that HTS bulk magnet can also realize a stable levitation above PMG. The trapped flux of HTS bulk magnet is easily controllable by the charging current of FCEW, which implies the maglev performances of HTS bulk magnet above PMG will be adjustable according to the practical requirement. The more trapped flux HTS bulk magnet will lead to bigger guidance force and smaller repulsion levitation force above PMG. In the case of saturated trapped flux for experimental HTS bulk magnet, it is not effective to improve its maglev performances by increasing of charging magnetic field, when the guidance force at WH 15 mm is 5.7 times larger than that by DFCM of FCH 30 mm. So introducing HTS bulk magnet into the present maglev system is feasible and more controllable to realize stable levitation above applied PMG, which is an important alternative for the present HTS maglev vehicle.     

Effect of reciprocating motions around working points on levitation force of superconductor-magnet system

In order to simulate vibration around working points in practical operation of superconducting levitation system, magnet in a simple superconductor-magnet system are conducted reciprocating motions around static height in this study. Two YBCO cylindrical samples with different grain orientations are used to investigate the effect of reciprocating motions of magnet on superconducting magnetic force. The c-axis of sample S1 is perpendicular to the top surface while sample S2 is parallel to the top surface. The initial cooling processes for the superconductors include zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and filed-cooled (FC). Compared to the levitation force before reciprocating motions, the ZFC levitation force at static height becomes smaller after reciprocating while the FC force presents opposite phenomenon. It is found that levitation force at static height tends to be stable after several times of reciprocating under ZFC and FC conditions and its time-decay phenomenon is suppressed in some extent, which is meaningful for the practical application of superconducting levitation system. Based on vortex dynamic, some physical discussions are presented to the experimental results.