Status of maglev: Opportunities in cryogenics and superconductivity
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
A program to develop a prototype of a magnetically levitated (maglev) high-speed-ground-transportation system has been announced by the U.S. administration. This paper reviews the development of maglev and steel-wheel-on-steel-rail trains and examines the unique right-of-way requirements for these systems. The basic principles of maglev are discussed, highlighting U.S. efforts in this field. Japanese and German maglev systems and four recently designed U.S. systems are discussed. Five of these systems use superconducting magnets. The trend in the demand for intercity transportation capacity is reviewed, and the need for maglev to supplement or replace short-haul aircraft is discussed in terms of its competitiveness in travel time, capacity to transport large numbers of passengers, and environmental considerations, including energy, emissions, land use, and noise. The unusual consideration that the superconducting magnets should be sacrificed, if necessary, to permit the vehicle to stop safely is discussed, and various design and development issues related to the cryogenics and superconductivity in the system are listed.
- OSTI ID:
- 45410
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930703-; TRN: 94:007382-0002
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International cryogenic materials conference (ICMC), Albuquerque, NM (United States), 12-16 Jul 1993; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Advances in cryogenic engineering, Volume 39, Part A; Kittel, P. [ed.]; PB: 1038 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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