Characteristics of Combined Levitation and Guidance EDS Maglev System.

A levitation method has been introduced which uses 8-shape levitation coils arranged on the vertical surface of the guideway. These coils can act as a guidance means as well as the levitation means. The characteristics of this system are examined using numerical examples and experimental data. The cables connecting right and left coils are not connected to a high-voltage power source unlike the usual guidance system which is combined with propulsion. Thus the electric insulation of the cables is not a problem at present. Numerical examples show that the levitation characteristics of the combined levitation and guidance system are almost the same as in the system without the guidance function, and that it attains reduced running resistance with necessary guidance stiffness obtained. A test run was done at Miyazaki Test Line equipped with coils of this type arranged about 120 m, and the result show stable running and balanced displacement which agrees with calculated values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]