Design of a Novel Single-Angle Inclination HTS Maglev Train PMG Turnout

Abstract

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnetic levitation vehicles are one of the next-generation high-level magnetic levitation (Maglev) transportation systems. With the development of high-temperature superconducting materials technology, in the future HTS Maglev train will be vigorously developed. The non-contact wheel–rail system causes many difficulties for the turnout system. In this paper, a novel mechanical permanent magnetic guideway (PMG) turnout system is proposed utilizing a single inclination permanent magnet (PM) for PMG turnout. To assemble the PMG turnout with the proposed single inclination PMs, the wedge-shape air gap between two fixed PMs is used to adjust the PMG body bending in the horizontal plane for Maglev vehicle guideway switching purposes. The relationship of the geometric dimensions of the single inclination PM and its inclination angle and the negative turning radius of the PMG turnout is successfully derived. The magnetic field uniformity of the PMG turnout under the condition of the minimum turning radius of 4 meters, which responds to angle 1.1459° of the single inclination PMs, has been simulated by the finite element method. The calculation results show that the influences of the wedge air gap on the magnetic field uniformity along the PMG longitude direction are small despite the turnout PMG being in a straight state or in a switching state. There are only minor differences in the magnetic fields on both sides of the PMG between the normal PMG and the turnout PMG in straight state and in switching state and so may not influence the HTS Maglev vehicles running stability during the PMG switching operation.