Levitation performance of different bulk YBaCuO arrays above a permanent magnet guideway for HTS maglev systems

In order to promote the performance of present high-temperature superconducting (HTS) Maglev systems, the interaction between applicable HTS bulk arrays and an applied Halbach permanent magnet guideway (PMG) was investigated. Ten rectangular multi-seeded YBaCuO bulks were used to find an optimal arrangement for maximum levitation forces by combing the double-layer bulk array pattern and the c-axis direction design of HTS bulks. The studies were implemented in both zero-field-cooling and field-cooling conditions. The experimental results indicate that the present levitation force can be improved remarkably by optimizing the bulk array above the PMG. Compared with single-layer bulk array, Maglev performance can be improved significantly by simply adopting a double-layer bulk array. In addition, by setting the c-axis direction of HTS bulks parallel or perpendicular to the PMG field, we can obtain large levitation force or guidance force, respectively. In the optimization process, the width ratio between the HTS bulk array and the PMG is also an important factor; by designing the bulk array to cover the entire PMG width, we can improve the utilization of the applied magnetic field. Finally, an optimal bulk array pattern was recommended by taking the levitation performance and economic cost into consideration. The experimental data will be used as reference for designing the new HTS Maglev system.