Abstract
The proposed research of investigating the interaction between high-temperature
superconductors and linear motors is introduced. Background on levitated
transportation, high-temperature superconductor applications and supercon-
ductor theory is given. An analytical model is developed for calculating
thrust and levitation forces produced by 3-phase windings on a pair bulk high-
temperature superconductors. Results produced by this model for a spacing
of 1 pole-pitch and 1
2 pole-pitch are presented. In order to verify the analytical
model a prototype system is built from a linear motor primary and vehicles
containing 2 rows of superconductors. Two vehicles are built with different
spacing between the rows of superconductors in order to investigate the ef-
fect of their positioning, with respect to the pole-pitch, on the thrust forces
produced. Measured forces on these two vehicles are then compared with pre-
dicted values showing that the model predicts the forces with less than 5%
error. Problems with the analytical model are also discussed. Finally it is con-
cluded that the model developed provides insight to the relationship between
high-temperature superconductors and travelling magnetic waves, and that a
1 pole-pitch separation between superconductors produces higher forces. Rec-
ommendations for further development of the prototype system are also given.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/4780 |
| Date | 30 April 2008 |
| Creators | Poeti, Leonardo |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 680854 bytes, application/pdf, application/pdf |
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