V-SHAPED HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTING SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR MAGLEV TRAIN

Magnetic levitation (maglev) systems represent the highest-performing and most technologically innovative systems in the rail transport sector. Several maglev technologies and approaches have been developed internationally that underlie both experimental and operational systems in different application contexts. In this paper, high-temperature superconducting maglev (SML) technology based on the interaction between permanent magnets and high-temperature bulk superconductors is considered and analyzed. Even though this technology is the newest and has a lower level of maturity than the others, it has significant potential for future applications of maglev rail systems because of the advantages of passive and self-stabilizing levitation, the almost complete absence of magnetic resistance to movement, and the extreme simplicity of system configuration. This paper specifically describes the performance characteristics of the V-shaped maglev suspension module, based on SLM technology, developed at the University of L'Aquila (Italy).