A single-sided linear synchronous motor with a high temperature superconducting coil as the excitation system

Thrust measurements were performed on a coil made of a YBa2Cu3O7-delta coated conductor acting as the excitation system of a single-sided linear synchronous motor. The superconducting coil was a single pancake in the shape of a racetrack with 100 turns, the width and effective lengths were 42 mm and 84 mm, respectively. The stator was made of conventional copper wire. At 77 K and a gap of 10 mm, with an operating direct current of I-DC = 30 A for the superconducting coil and alternating current of I-AC = 9 A for the stator coils, a thrust of 24 N was achieved. With addition of an iron core, thrust was increased by 49%. With addition of an iron back-plate, thrust was increased by 70%.