MPZ stability under time-dependent, spatially varying heat loads

Although the on-board superconducting magnets (SCMs) are a relatively small fraction of the cost and weight of magnetic levitation systems their performance is critical to the success of the entire system. The velocity of the MLU 002 vehicle in Japan had been limited by quenching of the SCMs due to track induced vibrations at high speed. Superconductor stability is discussed assuming time-dependent spatially varying heat loads. The one-dimensional minimum-propagating zone (MPZ) model has been extended to include time-dependent disturbances. The MPZ has been determined as a function of the disturbance frequency, amplitude, and length. The spatial variation of the initial disturbance is modeled as a sinusoidal function. Results for the MLU 002 and cable-in-conduit conductors are compared.<>