Proposed optimization method for design of permanent magnet Guideways with high temperature superconductors

Abstract

Superconducting materials are capable of trapping extremely high magnetic fields. This property and Meissner effect of superconductors causes a levitation force between bulk superconductors and a permanent magnet (PM). This levitation force has possible industrial applications such as Permanent Magnet Guideways (PMG). Because of the high price of permanent magnets, the optimization of PMG design is necessary and beneficial. A heuristic optimization method has been proposed for the optimum arrangement and dimensions of permanent magnets in different structures of PMGs, which guarantee the satisfactory levitation performance. Therefore, finite element simulation, based on the estimation of penetration depth and self-inductance of the superconductor disk, has been utilized. The variation of the PMG features, such as its dimensions and cost versus the system parameters, such as the levitation height and the superconductor disk characteristics have been presented as the optimization results. Based on the optimization process outputs, PMG prototypes have been fabricated and tested successfully.