Magnetic levitation system for moving objects
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorRichard F. Post
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Abstract
Repelling magnetic forces are produced by the interaction of a flux-concentrated magnetic field (produced by permanent magnets or electromagnets) with an inductively loaded closed electric circuit. When one such element moves with respect to the other, a current is induced in the circuit. This current then interacts back on the field to produce a repelling force. These repelling magnetic forces are applied to magnetically levitate a moving object such as a train car. The power required to levitate a train of such cars is drawn from the motional energy of the train itself, and typically represents only a percent or two of the several megawatts of power required to overcome aerodynamic drag at high speeds.
Claims5
A magnetic levitation system, comprising:
- a plurality of pole assemblies attached to a movable object;
- a track;
- a plurality of closed inductively loaded circuits connected to said track;
- and
- means for automatic centering of said movable object on said track;
- wherein said plurality of pole assemblies are magnetically connected to said plurality of closed inductively loaded circuits, wherein said plurality of closed inductively loaded circuits comprise a linear array of closed inductively loaded circuits, wherein a force exerted between a single pole assembly of said plurality of pole assemblies and a single circuit of said linear array of closed inductively loaded circuits is:
- ##EQU7## where .lambda. is the length of one period of said array, B.sub.0 is the magnetic field of one circuit of said circuits, w is the width of said circuit, L.sub.0 is the inductance (in henrys) of said circuit, k=2.pi./.lambda. and y is a displacement in the direction perpendicular to the face of said array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.