Emulation of a Full Scale MagLev Vehicle Behavior Under Operational Conditions

Based on the magnetic characteristics of HTS superconductors, the group of the Laboratory of Applied Superconductivity from COPPE/UFRJ in Brazil has proposed and developed a full-scale superconducting MagLev vehicle. The levitation system of this vehicle consists of a superconducting magnetic linear bearing, which is composed of a permanent magnetic guideway (PMG) and YBCO bulks superconductors. The levitation and guidance forces that appear due to the interaction between the superconductor and the PMG keep the vehicle passively levitating in a stable equilibrium point. However, under operational conditions, which include the entry and exit of passengers, vibrations and curves performed by the vehicle, this equilibrium point may be changed. One of the critical consequences caused by this change is the reduction in the levitation gap of the superconductor in relation to the PMG. In order to emulate the vehicle operation, the superconducting bearing is submitted to a series of vertical and horizontal displacements around the equilibrium point and the levitation gap and guidance position are monitored. These movements are controlled by time-variant reference forces that reproduce the operational conditions and the behavior for the levitation gap and guidance position are shown. These measurements are essential to the development process of a full-scale superconducting MagLev vehicle.