Superconducting Maglev and LSM development in Canada

Conference · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EDT 1975 · IEEE Trans. Magn., v. MAG-11, no. 2, pp. 627-632

OSTI ID:4094789

Atherton, D L; Eastham, A R

Studies on the use of superconducting magnets for levitation, synchronous propulsion, and guidance of high speed intercity ground transportation in Canada are reported. For a 100 passenger vehicle weighing 300 kN, a levitation height of 22 cm at 480 Km/hr is obtained by the interaction of eight 3.85 x 10$sup 5$ amp turn 100 x 30 cm magnets with eddy currents induced in two 80 x 1 cm aluminum guideway strips. In low speed sections, aluminum thickness is graded to 3 cm to maintain total drag (aerodynamic and magnetic) almost speed independent. The variable speed LSM uses fifty 5 x 10$sup 5$ amp turn 40 x 150 cm magnets on a half pitch of 45 cms. The motor, with split 3- phase guideway windings energized in 5 Km block lengths, has 72 percent efficiency and a 0.82 power factor. A favored guidance scheme for a flat-topped elevated guideway (minimizing snow accumulation) uses the interactions of the propulsion magnets with flat null-flux loops overlying the LSM windings and with the edges of the levitation strips. This scheme produces a lateral stiffness of 10$sup 6$ N/m and a maximum guidance force equal to vehicle weight. The Canadian test facility, presently being commissioned, uses full scale magnets and a 7.6 m diameter wheel rotated about a vertical axis with a maximum peripheral speed of 100 Km/hr. (auth)

• Research Organization: Queen's Univ., Kingston, Ont.
• NSA Number: NSA-33-017066
• OSTI ID: 4094789
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Magn., v. MAG-11, no. 2, pp. 627-632, Conference: Applied superconductivity conference, Oakbrook, Illinois, USA, 30 Sep 1974; Other Information: See CONF-740957--. Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

N42220* -Engineering-Facilities & Equipment-Cryogenic & Superconducting Equipment & Devices
330300* -Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems-Electric- Powered Systems
*LEVITATED TRAINS- SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS
*SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS- - USES
CANADA
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DRAG
EDDY CURRENTS
ELECTRONIC GUIDANCE
PROPULSION
TEST FACILITIES