202 Ë 6 First manned HTS Maglev vehicle in the world
The essential parameters for the first manned HTS Maglev test vehicle in the
world – “Century” are listed in Tab. 4.1.
In order to improve the performance of the manned HTS Maglev vehicle system,
in-depth and detailed theoretical and experimental research have been carried out
unceasingly. Through continuous study for more than 10 years, it was found that the
cross-sectional area of the PMG could be further reduced to the about half to third of
the original size. On the one hand, the corresponding PMG was designed according to
differentHTSbulkproperties.Ontheotherhand,theshapeandsizeoftheHTSbulkswere
prepared for a small area PMG. Consequently, it is possible to improve the performance
of the levitation system and reduce the manufacturing and operating cost greatly.
In January 3, 2001, the press conference about “Century” was held in Southwest
Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China (Fig. 6.66).
The Committee of Experts in Superconductivity of National 863 Program reviewed
and approved the completed Maglev vehicle project on February 11, 2001 (Fig. 6.67)
in Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China. “Century” was highlighted in the
Review of 15 Years (1986–2000) for National 863 Program of China in Beijing, 2001
(Fig. 4.10c). Five years later, “Century” was the main attraction in the First Science
and Technology Festival of Chengdu, 2005 (Fig. 6.68). The performance of “Century”
was still similar to its performance in 2001.
Fig. 6.66:On January 3, 2001, the press conference was
held at Southwest Jiaotong University. (From thePeople’s
Daily Overseas Edition.)Fig. 6.67:The Committee of Experts in Superconductivity of
National 863 program reviewed and approved completed
Maglev vehicle project on February 11, 2001.