An Asymmetrical Permanent Magnet Guideway Design for the High Temperature Superconducting Maglev Curve

Abstract

An asymmetrical permanent magnet guideway (PMG) design is considered for the high temperature superconducting (HTS) Maglev during traveling on a curved path. This translationally asymmetrical PMG design can produce a better guidance performance, which cannot be provided by the common translationally symmetrical PMG design. The additional guidance improvement is attributed to its asymmetrical magnetic field distribution. The outside part of the asymmetrical PMG has more magnetic material than the inside part, so that the outside magnetic field density is enhanced or becomes a multi-pole distribution. These two effects result in a larger guidance force and a better curve negotiation ability. Above the asymmetrical curved PMG, the HTS Maglev vehicle system can overcome larger centrifugal forces and run with a smaller or even zero lateral displacement. Moreover, this asymmetrical PMG design is helpful to realize the “straight line to curve to straight line” running environment. The improvement effect and running feasibility of the asymmetrical PMG is calculated and proven for future use in HTS Maglev curves.