A new type of active-maglev system using YBCO bulk and multiple electromagnets

We present a new type of active-maglev system consisting of a disk-shaped superconducting bulk (YBCO) and multiple electromagnets. Using the active-maglev system composed of five electromagnets, we demonstrated continuous levitation and verified that the levitation height, as well as stability, could be remarkably improved by adjusting operating current of electromagnet individually. Electromagnetic behavior within the bulk was investigated numerically by the finite element method (FEM) adopting the Bean model. Agreements of levitation force and height between experiment and analysis were good. Suitable electromagnet operation for continuous levitation in terms of consumed operating energy was also investigated. It was found in analysis that continuous levitation could be realized efficiently by adopting a three-electromagnet operation and the operating procedure is applicable to multiple-electromagnet system. Therefore, based on the assumption of constant total operating current of three electromagnets, we numerically investigated the relationship between the operating procedure and levitation force in a five-electromagnet system as a function of levitation height. Maximum allowable weight of float (superconducting bulk and load) was evaluated through the estimation of minimum levitation force during continuous levitation as a function of air gap between electromagnets.