High-Tc Superconducting Maglev Prototype Vehicle Running at 160 km/h in an Evacuated Circular Track

Dynamic behavior of high-T-c superconductor (HTS) and permanent magnetic guideway (PMG) based maglev system is intensively studied in China, Japan, Germany, and Brazil, mainly through static or vibration test. Few reports are available about the direct and effective assessment on the dynamic performance of the HTS maglev vehicle by running on a straight or circular PMG track with a speed higher than 50 km/h, due to a short length in a straight track or a weak guidance force in a circular track. By developing a side-suspended HTS-PMG maglev system, a running speed over 100 km/h in a circular track with a big curvature was reached. The realization of a high running speed in the side-suspended circular track maglev system critically relies on a high dynamic stability of the HTS-PMG system. By enhancing the dynamic stability and optimizing the side-suspension conditions, a new record high running speed of 160 km/h was achieved in an evacuated circular track with 6.5 m diameter when the pressure in the evacuated tube was reduced to 5 x 10(3) Pa.