Magneplane power supply costs

Means are studied to bring propulsion power from commercial utility lines and distribute it and control it to the LSM propulsion winding in the guideway. Switched sections of propulsion winding from 0.25 km to 2.5 km long are considered and cost variations explored. Magneplane guideway for this study propagates a fixed frequency travelling magnetic wave on which vehicles with superconducting magnets for LSM and maglev are inserted and removed by adjustable frequency sections at station stops. Costs reported reflect only fixed frequency main-line. Several variable parameters are considered. These include length of LSM winding which will be energized by each PCU, number of winding sections per PCU, utility supply voltage, and capacitor compensation of winding inductance to reduce thyristor current. Estimated costs are presented to show the influence of variation in the parameters. Future cost trends are considered. System power efficiencies are presented and their influence on selection of non-optimum system cost is considered. Development of thyristor switching technology for tuned series RLC high power circuits is recommended.