Stabilized Permanent Magnet (SPM) Suspension Technology
- High-strength neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets arranged in opposing Halbach arrays (Figure 1) provide levitation with a gap-size of 3 - 8 cm at all speeds (no power requirement for levitation).
The polarities of individual magnets in the array (indicated by arrows) are arranged such that the fields reinforce each other on the "active" face, producing a very strong magnetic field. On the "inactive" face, the magnetic fields essentially cancel each other, leaving almost no field at all.
Figure 1. Levitator Configuration
- Patented electromagnetic (EM)
lateral stabilization keeps the vehicle centered with minimal power requirements
(~100 Watts per ton of vehicle weight). The vehicle magnets, the EM lateral
stabilization, and the track magnets together form the SPM suspension
(Figure 2).
Figure 2. SPM Suspension
- Instant Magnetic Switches permit fast and efficient track changes. The same electromagnets used for lateral stabilization also provide a means for vehicles to select the appropriate route to their destination at a track bifurcation or switch. These SPM switches are totally passive with no moving parts or electronic components.
- A Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) propels the vehicle along the track. On-board motor coils interact with a permanent magnet track to move the vehicle forward.
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