Study of a new passive magnetic levitation concept

As a bonus from an existing LDRD-supported project (Electromechanical Battery Research and Development) a new concept for the magnetic levitation of a moving object evolved. To initiate a study of the merits of the concept mid-year ``seed money`` LDRD funding was provided. The FY94 activities resulted in a preliminary evaluation of the merits of this concept through calculations, laboratory measurements, and the design of a simple test model. There is now considerable international interest in the ``Maglev`` concept for highspeed trains. Wear, rolling friction, and speed limitations of conventional rail technology make this technology unsuitable for such trains, whence the use of magnetic levitation. In present Maglev trains, however, such as those constructed in Germany and Japan, servo-controlled magnetic systems are required, involving sensor and control circuitry and non-trivial on-board power requirements. In such systems the failure of a control system can have serious consequences, so that redundant systems may be required, thus adding to the cost and complexity. It would be highly desirable to replace the present ``active``, servo-controlled magnetic levitation systems with a totally passive one, one for which neither control circuits nor on-board power would be required. Failure of such a system could be made to be much more benign in its consequences than for servo-controlled ones, and the cost, particularly of the on-board equipment, might be greatly reduced