Proposed FEM-Based Optimization Method for Economical Design of Long Permanent-Magnet Guideways With HTc Superconductors

The levitation force between a superconductor disk and a permanent magnet (PM) is the origin for possible industrial applications. The PMs form the most costly part of the permanent-magnet guideways (PMGs), particularly for longer distances. A heuristic optimization method based on simulated annealing has been proposed for the determination of the optimum arrangement and dimensions of PMs in several PMG structures. This optimum design is the most economical PMG design that guarantees the satisfactory levitation performance of the PMG. As part of the optimization process, a FEM-based method has been used, based on the estimation of penetration depth and self-inductance of the superconductor disk, for the calculation of the levitation force. The optimization results contain the PMG structure with minimum PM consumption for a specified levitation height and superconductor disk characteristics and the variation of the most important PMG features, such as its cost and width, versus those distinctive system parameters. These results will provide basic analysis for the design of HTS-PMG levitation systems. Several guideways have been fabricated based on the optimization process outputs and have shown satisfactory results.