A Rotational and Straight-Line Drive System for Vehicles Levitated Through Superconductor Flux Pinning

The use of bulk high-temperature superconductor material has been proposed for various noncontact transportation systems. Commonly, such systems use permanent magnets to achieve levitation of a vehicle housing bulk superconductors, with motive force provided separately. Recent work has focused on using electromagnets to provide both the levitation and the motive force. Through energizing appropriately placed electromagnets in a correct pattern, straight line travel and rotation across a horizontal plane are possible. However, significant overshoot and instability can be incurred during motion events, leading to changes in the flux pinning state and misalignment of a vehicle. This paper proposes the design of a planar array of electromagnets and an energization pattern that achieves controlled rotation. Straight line travel is also achieved. Thus, using the proposed drive system, straight-line travel as well as rotation of a levitated vehicle across a horizontal plane is possible. Experimental verification is provided.