A New Type of Active-maglev System Using YBCO Bulk and Multiple Electromagnets

We present a new type of active-maglev system composed of high-temperature superconducting bulk and multiple electromagnets. One useful feature of the active-maglev system is that levitation height is adjustable by varying operating current in electromagnets. Maximum levitation height in stable levitation, however, is restricted by magnetic field distribution generated by the electromagnet. To improve the levitation height, we designed and constructed an active-maglev system with two electromagnets instead of using a larger single electromagnet. The levitation height, as well as stability, was remarkably improved by adjusting the operating current of each electromagnet individually. We also analyzed the electromagnetic phenomena in high-temperature superconducting bulk by the finite element method. The experimental and computed results imply that much higher levitation height could be realized by using multiple electromagnets and adjusting the operating currents.