High speed maglev design

Patent 5253591 Issued on October 19, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 28, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3664268

3892185

Inventors

Assignee

The United States of America as represented by the United States

Application

No. 952439 filed on 09/28/1992

US Classes:

104/281, MAGNETICALLY SUSPENDED CAR104/139TRUCK IN CONDUIT

Examiners

Primary: Le, Mark T.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Smith; Bradley W., Albrecht; John M., Moser; William R.

Foreign Patent References

2312242 DE 09/13/1974
2429867 DE 01/13/1976
54-42717 JP 04/13/1979
62-277004 JP 12/13/1987
4-88810 JP 03/13/1992
4-125007 JP 04/13/1992

International Class

B60L 013/00

Abstract

A propulsion and stabilization system for an inductive repulsion type magnetically levitated vehicle which is propelled and suspended by a system which includes dividing the superconducting magnets into two types: a strong field magnet which is located vertically below the vehicle for propulsion and guidance and a weak field superconducting magnet located at the ends of the vehicle for levitation and added guidance. Several proposed embodiments exist for the placement of the magnetic field shielding: locating the shielding on the vehicle, locating the shielding on the guideway, and locating the shielding on the guideway and adding shielding to the vertical undercarriage. In addition, the separation between the vehicle and the guideway can be controlled to reduce the exposure of the passenger cabin to magnetic fields.