Simulation and Experiments of Quasi-Static Force Characteristics in a Superconducting Interface Module Configuration Applied in Self-Assembly of Space Module Systems

Flux-pinned interaction between high temperature superconductor and applied field provides a new, no-contacting interfacing approach to positive docking and assembling of space module systems. A superconducting interface module configuration is presented in this paper, which consists of a bulk superconductor, an actuation magnet, and an interfacing magnet. The induced current and magnetic flux density in the superconducting interface module are simulated based on H formulation, and electromagnetic properties of the module subject to different magnetization conditions are demonstrated. Primary experiments are also carried out to understand the magnetization and quasi-static force properties. The measured data partly agree with the simulated results, indicating the valid usage of the H formulation method in the modeling of the superconducting interface module.