Fundamental study of levitation and guiding support of a superconducting bulk cooling vessel by electromagnets

As an example of magnetic levitation application using superconductivity in the railway field, an initial study of the non-contact support of an aerodynamic vehicle model by magnetic levitation is presented. In consideration of handling and safety, the test apparatus consisted of an electromagnet in the magnetic field generator, which served as the ground track, and a superconducting bulk in the model car. The test results showed that the cooling time of the superconducting bulk at 77 K was more than 10 hours, which was sufficient for operation, but the levitation height and magnetic stiffness during levitation were not sufficient for the target specifications. In order to obtain the required levitation height and stiffness for the test apparatus, it was found necessary to use multiple superconducting bulk materials and to improve the magnetic circuit configuration of the magnetic field generator.