Lift and drag forces for the attractive electromagnetic suspension systems

Experiments on small-scale magnets have been performed to determine the effects of track eddy currents on the behavior of the attractive electromagnetic suspension system. Measurements of the velocity dependence of the current and the drag force for fixed lift force have been made for velocities up to 100 m/s. A model of the magnet based upon the magnetization of the poles has been developed. Fourier techniques have been used to calculate the lift and drag forces as a function of speed and current. The field dependence of the track permeability has been accounted for in an appropriate manner by a self-consistent procedure using a multi-layer model of the track. Comparison to experiment has been made for the small magnets, and the behavior of full-scale magnets is predicted.