Design of a magnetically levitated vehicle

The principle of using attractive electromagnetic forces for contactless suspension of passenger carrying vehicles is now well established and two full scale systems (one in Birmingham, U.K and the other in Emsland, near Hamburg, West Germany) are now being commissioned. This paper presents an overview of the control, magnetic and design aspects of developing such a system. The results presented here are collected from the author's and his colleagues' experience in constructing Britain's first magnetically suspended (1-ton, 4-passenger, 30-m track) vehicle propelled by linear short-stator induction motor; operation of this vehicle was demonstrated in August 1974.