Design of Prototype Superconducting Hybrid Electromagnet for High Speed Maglev

초록

The German high-speed Maglev(Transrapid), which is representative of electromagnetic suspension(EMS) technology with normal-conducting electromagnet, is currently in commercial operation in Shanghai. The system’s narrow levitation gap requires very rigid tolerance in the guideway level irregularity, which has resulted in relatively higher guideway construction costs. The Northrop Grumman’s Maglev concept is similar to the German Transrapid based on EMS technology. But, in order to reduce construction costs, it is designed to have a larger levitation gap between the vehicle and the guideway. In order to achieve this concept, it is necessary to develop a compact and reliable superconducting hybrid electromagnet(SH-EM) that is able to generate sufficient magneto motive force(MMF) This study deals with the design and fabrication of a prototype SH-EM for EMS-based Maglev. The design requirements are based on the normal conducting EM used in the German high-speed Maglev. The SH-EM targets levitation gap of 30 mm. From the MMF-Levitation force curves simulated by FEM analysis, the required MMF by superconducting coil is suggested. As an experimental test setup to demonstrate the SH-EM, the experimental SH-EM with HTS coil cooled in LN2 is fabricated. From the expected operating current of the HTS coil, the levitation performance of the SH-EM is estimated.