Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Grumman Aerospace Corporation

Northrup Grumman Corp.

Swarn S Kalsi

Michael Proise

Quenching of a coil for a superconducting magnet is detected by placing a temperature sensor proximate the coil of the superconducting magnet and monitoring the temperature sensor for a rise in temperature of the coil of the superconducting magnet. AC and DC field variations of the coil of the superconducting magnet do not substantially adversely affect such temperature monitoring, thus facilitating reliable and accurate detection of such quenching. This accurate and reliable detection of quenching assures that the superconducting magnet can be shut down in a controlled manner, so as to prevent damage thereto when quenching occurs. The method and apparatus of the present invention finds particular use in maglev applications.

Method and apparatus for detecting quenching of a coil for a

An electromagnet for a MAGLEV system incorporates at least one superconducting coil, operating in AC mode, which surrounds a multiple-pole iron core and is constructed from a layer of epoxy-impregnated pancake coils assembled together along a common axis within a cryostat. The windings of each pancake coil may be constructed from predetermined lengths of Bi(2223) superconductor tape. The coil preferably operates at 77 K. but any temperature lying in a range of 5 K. to 80 K. may be used. Two- and six-pole/coil magnets operating in either AC or DC mode are specifically disclosed.

High-temperature AC superconducting magnets for a magnetic levitation

A superconducting electromagnet arrangement includes a high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil surrounding a multiple-pole iron core for levitating and propelling a MAGLEV transport vehicle along a guideway. The HTS coil operates in the DC mode at approximately liquid nitrogen temperature of 77 K to induce in the iron core magnetic forces of attraction to levitate the transport vehicle a desired distance above a set of guideway rails. A preferred embodiment includes a Bi 2223 HTS coil surrounding a C-shaped iron core. The coil is constructed from a layer of pancake coils, the windings of which are fabricated from short lengths of commercially available conductor tape. The field strength in the core and the windings of the HTS coil are respectively approximately 1.8 T and approximately 0.3 T. To ensure vehicle stability, control coils are placed around the core legs to maintain the desired air gap length. The control coils may be copper coils, or may themselves be HTS superconducting coils operating in the AC mode at 77 K (nominal). A variation of the preferred embodiment includes three HTS coils surrounding respectively the three legs of a W-shaped iron core.

Superconducting electromagnet arrangement for a magnetic levitation

A superconducting electromagnet for levitation and propulsion of a maglev vehicle running against a rail has a magnetic core having a number of salient poles extending from a surface thereof, thereby forming gaps between adjacent ones of the poles, and facing and in operative proximity with the rail. An excitation coil surrounds each pole and is positioned in the gaps on each side of the pole. A cryostat accommodates the excitation coil and is positioned in the gaps between the conducting coil and the core. A control coil surrounds each pole and is positioned in the gaps on each side of the pole for responding to fast disturbances of short duration with a transient current.

Superconducting electromagnet for levitation and propulsion of a maglev

A magnetic guidance and support system and method. The magnetic system comprises a core member and a central member. The core member includes an interior surface forming an interior, and also forms an opening in communications with that interior. The central member of the system includes an electrically conductive cylinder positioned in the interior of the core member, and connecting means connected to the cylinder and extending outward therefrom and through the opening in the core member. The magnetic system further comprises a multitude of electrical conductors axially extending along and annularly spaced around the core member, and an electric power supply connected to the electrical conductors to conduct an electric current through those conductors. When this current is conducted through the electric conductors, the conductors produce a magnetic quadrupole having a magnetic field for supporting the cylinders in the interior of the core member and spaced from the interior surface thereof.

Magnetic suspension and guidance system and method

A method and system of generating power on a magnetically levitated vehicle. The vehicle includes a set of magnets and is supported for movement along a guideway having a multitude of traction conductors. An alternating current is conducted through these conductors to generate a moving electromagnetic field to propel the vehicle along the guideway The method includes the step of locating a plurality of electrically conductive power generation coils on the vehicle magnet, adjacent the guideway, so that harmonic components of the electromagnetic field generate a first electromagnetic force on the power generation coils. The method also includes: the step of conducting a single phase current through the traction conductors to generate a second electromagnetic force on the power generation coils. These first and second electromagnetic forces produce a current in the power generation coils that may be used to supply power on the vehicle. The first of these electromagnetic forces is dependent on the speed of the vehicle along the guideway. Thus, preferably, the magnitude of the second of these electromagnetic forces is varied to insure that adequate power is available on the vehicle at all speeds.

Method and system for generating power on a magnetically levitated

A superconducting magnet for a MAGLEV vehicle has flux perturbation shielding rings mounted to the core common with superconducting magnetic coils. These rings resist rapid flux perturbations occurring in the superconducting magnet as a result of normal operational transients. The rings are, in effect, short-circuited coils fabricated from metal. One or more sets of these shielding rings may be employed along the length of the core for achieving flux regulation.

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Fort Salonga, NY, United States of America

Swarn S Kalsi