Characteristics of levitating X-Y transporter using HTS bulks

Abstract

High-Tc superconducting bulk has been used for magnetic levitation systems such as flywheel energy storage system and noncontact transport system. We have been investigating the electromagnetic behavior of high temperature superconductor (HTS) bulks to realize a X-Y (two-dimensional) magnetic levitating transporter without any fixed guides. We have investigated qualitatively the characteristics of the lift and the restoring force of an YBCO bulk under various field-cooling conditions and permanent-magnet arrangements. In this paper, we evaluate the most suitable 4-permanent-magnet arrangement through lift and restoring force measurements and numerical analysis by the finite element method (FEM) using the current vector potential.