EDDY CURRENT DISTRIBUTION AND LIFT FORCE FOR FINITE MAGLEV STRIPS

The transverse distribution of induced eddy currents across a flat conducting strip of finite width, due to a rectangular d.c. magnet moving above it, has been modeled experimentally, and has been compared with that calculated for an infinite sheet. The electrodynamic suspension is simulated by means of a stationary a.c.-excited copper magnet suspended above an aluminum strip, and the induced surface current density is measured by a voltage pickup probe connected to a lock-in amplifier. Good agreement is obtained between the eddy current profiles for a wide sheet and those calculated by determining the current distribution required to cancel the vertical component of the magnetic field at the surface of the sheet. The effect of reducing strip width is examined and shown to produce high current densities close to the edges. These results are related to the variation of lift force with strip width, determined by impedance modeling. A slight enhancement of life is evident for intermediate strip widths.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Research Council of Canada

  1200 Montreal Road
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada  K1A 0R6
• Authors:
  • Atherton, D L
  • Eastham, A R
  • Fombrun, C
  • Chong, M
• Publication Date: 1974-7-1

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 1203-08
• Serial:
  • Canadian Journal of Physics
  • Volume: 52
  • Issue Number: 13

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Eddy currents; Intelligent transportation systems; Magnetic levitation
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00072707
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 16 1976 12:00AM