Static and Dynamic Behavior of a Superconducting Magnetic Bearing Using YBCO Bulk Material

The technical progress in the manufacture of high temperature superconducting bulk material (HTS) provides various possible applications. These include non-contact linear transport systems and frictionless rotating bearings using the pinning effect in Type-II superconductors. During the last five years, a group of industrial and research partners have developed an innovative magnetic levitation system (SupraTrans) with a permanent magnetic rail and YBCO superconducting bulks in the vehicle. To optimize the levitation and guidance system, further investigations in the static and dynamic behavior have been accomplished and are reported. Comparisons between the statics and the dynamics show a very good agreement in all comparable parameters.