10.4 Prototypes of HTS Maglev launch system Ë 373Fig. 10.1:The photographs of the HTS Maglev launch system [17]. (a) The launch system including
the brake. (b) PMG and linear motor, with the HTS Maglev vehicle “Century” shown on top. The top
right corner is the linear motor control set. (c) Launch system with the adjustable launch angle of
0–30 degrees.
10.4 Prototypes of HTS Maglev launch system
Some prototypes of the HTS Maglev launch systems were constructed to test and verify
their operation ability. A laboratory-scale HTS Maglev launch test system [17] was
developed based on the previous vehicle development experience [18] in the ASCLab,
SWJTU. Basic design considerations for the HTS Maglev launch system include two
parallel PMGs of about 10 m, a levitation force of 500–600 N, a guidance force of 60 N,
and an acceleration of 1–4g.
First, for a HTS Maglev launch system a series of specialized technologies based
on the research of the levitation and guidance between YBCO and the PMG must
be considered. These include stability and reliability at high acceleration, the low-
temperature cooling device, integration of the vehicle and the low-temperature devi-
ce, tests of the HTS Maglev climbing up a large slope, techniques of HTS Maglev in an
evacuated tube transport (ETT), etc. Therefore, the most important mission is to study
the Maglev system efficiency of high acceleration with a new drive technology using
HTS bulks and PMG.
This HTS Maglev launch system has no intrinsic difference compared to the HTS
Maglev vehicle [11]. The launch system includes the vehicle, the NdFeB PMG, and the
linear motor. The NdFeB PMG is 10.05 m long and 0.68 m wide. There is a linear motor
drive set between the two parallel PMG. The frame of the PMG is 11.2 m long and 1.0 m
wide. The PMG has a longitudinal slope of 0–30 degrees from the horizontal, and a
transverse slope of 15 degrees.
The HTS Maglev launch test vehicle is 1.0 m long and 1.0 m wide. There are four on-
board levitation devices with HTS YBCO bulks in the launch vehicle. The gap between
the linear motor and its induction plane is 10 mm. Each linear motor is 695 mm long,
155 mm wide, and 80 mm thick. Total length of 15 single motors is about 10.4 m. The
acceleration of the linear motor is 1–4g. Figure 10.1 shows the photograph of the PMG
of the HTS Maglev launch system. The linear motor is between the PMGs.