Investigation on thermal effect of bulk high-temperature superconductors under varying external magnetic field

Abstract

Superconducting bulks applied to high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev vehicles are susceptible to magnetic field, resulting in alternating current (AC) losses and heat generation, which affect the stability of the suspension system. Therefore, the thermal effect of superconducting bulk under external magnetic field is worth studying. The paper uses finite element software to establish a 2D electromagnetic-thermal coupling model. The distribution and variation of HTS bulks’ temperature under varying external magnetic field are simulated and analyzed, and the loss and temperature rise of rectangular bulks with different thicknesses are studied. Finally, the effect of increasing the critical current density on the thermal effect of the superconducting bulk is discussed. The results show that the temperature rise of bulk has a positive correlation with the amplitude and frequency of external magnetic field. The maximum temperature is affected by the angle of magnetic field. Under the same external magnetic field, the bulk with smaller thickness produces smaller loss and temperature rise. The research results can provide important references for the operation and furniture design of HTS maglev vehicles.