Moving and transport equipment by magnetic levitation of bulk superconductors and magnet rails.

Abstract

　Magnetic levitation using bulk superconductors provides smooth motion without frictional resistance and is therefore being considered for a variety of mechanical systems, such as bearings, energy storage flywheels and linear-drive transport systems. Various transport systems based on bulk superconducting magnetic levitation have been studied, ranging from small demonstrations to large railways. This paper introduces some examples of research into the application of bulk superconducting magnetic levitation and describes one of them, a magnet arrangement for rails that controls the roll angle of a levitating body. Transport systems using superconducting magnetic levitation are often at risk of derailment due to the shuttle tilting backwards from the bank angle. To mitigate this problem, this study investigates an alternative rail magnet arrangement that can improve the stability of levitated transport systems by inducing a forward inclination of the bank angle. The results can be used to enhance the safety of various transport applications that rely on magnetic levitation technology.