MAGNETIC LEVITATION AND PROPULSION SYSTEM

摘要

A system for levitating and propelling a vehicle along a stationary guideway includes a linear synchronous motor (LSM) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The LSM components interact to generate electromagnetic forces that act to levitate the vehicle and electromagnetic forces that act to propel the vehicle along the guideway. The gap between LSM components is maintained by an electrodynamic system (EDS) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The EDS components cooperate to create an electromagnetic force that acts with the levitation forces created by the LSM to maintain the LSM gap within a predetermined range. Maintenance of the LSM gap stabilizes the LSM and allows the LSM to operate efficiently within a pre-selected range of vehicle speeds.