Estimation of hysteretic levitation pressure and stiffness in high Tc superconducting bearings

Abstract

The properties of a high T c superconducting bearing consisting of a set of alternating-polarity magnets and a superconductor are investigated. Hysteretic pressure-displacement relations are observed in the bearings. To analyse the levitation pressure of the superconducting bearing, distribution models of the magnetic flux densities at the surface of the superconductor based on Bean's critical state model were constructed. The results of the analyses show that it is possible to estimate the hysteretic levitation pressure and the stiffness using Bean's critical state model.