A Turnout Switch for a Superconductively Levitated Linear Transport System

Within the SupraTrans project, a joint venture between research institutes, universities and industrial companies, a full working prototype of a superconductively levitated transport system has been constructed and developed. The levitation and guidance system is based on flux pinning in melt-textured bulk YBa₂Cu₃O_7-delta (YBCO) that stabilizes the vertical and lateral position of the vehicle above the magnetic track. In contrast to conventional electromagnetic Maglev systems, track and vehicle do not mechanically envelop each other in the superconducting Maglev. It is therefore possible, to construct a non-mechanical turnout switch using electromagnets. Such fast working turnout switches are essential to establish a highly branched transportation network. An experimental set-up for an electromagnetic turnout switch has been created for a toy sized model train. Investigations regarding levitation force and stiffness of the vehicle during several crossings have been performed. Thereby the ideal line across the switch has been used to measure vertical and lateral forces in every step of the movement. The evaluation shows a small delay but appropriate levitation and guidance behavior.