Integrated high speed maglev system utilizing an active lift

US6357359B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Kent Davey · Edgewater Junction, US
• Tony J. Morris · Marietta, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 18, 2000
• Grant date: Mar 19, 2002
• Expiry date: Feb 18, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60L2200/26
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An integrated MAGLEV (Magnetic Levitated Vehicle) system consists of permanent or preferably superconducting vehicle-mounted magnets which interact with both active and induced track-based currents. The magnets on the vehicle which are used for propulsion serve the dual purpose of realizing both levitation and lateral stabilization (guidance). The contribution offered by this invention is that it is able to provide propulsion, levitation, and guidance using a single type of track-based coil interacting with a singular type of magnetic field which is affixed to the vehicle. The realization of multiple functions with a single coil reduces the cost and enhances the efficiency of this MAGLEV system. In the main embodiment of this invention, propulsion currents are injected into brushes sliding along brush contact surfaces on the rail, series winding further eliminates the intermediate brushes leaving only the leading set of brushes and the trailing set. Motion induced currents in the coils realize both the necessary levitation and guidance forces for the vehicle. The propulsion system is a linear DC motor and requires no power handling along the track. Necessary operating power can eit…