Levitation Performance of Bulk High Temperature Superconductor Above the Permanent Magnet Guideway at Different Temperatures

The levitation performance of a high temperature superconducting (HTS) Maglev system was investigated at different temperatures for HTS Maglev vehicle application. Using a cryogenic measurement system, we studied the effects of the HTS’s temperatures and the HTS’s field-cooling heights (FCHs) on the levitation force and its force density by applying a two-pole Halbach array’s permanent magnet guideway (PMG) at different temperatures. Results show that the levitation force is not only dependent on the temperature but also dependent on the original FCH. The effect of the temperature on the levitation force is considerably minute in low FCH. However, it was confirmed that the levitation force of HTS is larger at a lower temperature than at a higher temperature in high FCHs. Moreover, by applying the temperature of 60 K, the levitation force density of the system can be increased by 65% and 57.3% compared to the force density at 77 K in 35 mm and 40 mm FCHs. Hence, more magnetic energy at a low temperature area and high FCH can be utilized. The advancement of Maglev system’s performance will directly promote the development of HTS Maglev application and is helpful for the further HTS Maglev vehicle.