Design and analysis of a novel HTS thin film device as planar maglev levitator and fault current limiter

In this paper, a novel high temperature superconducting (HTS) thin film device as planar levitator and fault current limiter is firstly proposed and tested. Nowadays, planar magnetic levitation (maglev) levitator (PML) employed in planar maglev system is a promising high-precision positioning mechanism for modern high-end industrial fields, due to the attractive features of noncontact, zero friction, high precision, light weigh, simple structure, high reliability, fast response and fewer interfering factors, etc. In contrast to other maglev technologies, HTS maglev technology has the advantages of passive self stabilization levitation, light weight, high vacuum gain, simple structure, energy saving and no electromagnetic pollution, etc. Thus, the PML fabricated by HTS thin film can further simplify the system control strategy and improve operation efficiency. In this paper, we designed and fabricated the double sided YBa2Cu3O7-x thin film based PML and analyzed its levitation force characteristics. Besides, we also tested its fault current limiting performance, which can be employed to limit the fault current in the planar maglev system. It can be found from the experimental results that, the HTS-PML can offer the levitation force more than 400 kN/m3 and 100 N/kg, meanwhile, it can also generate the quench resistance more than 15 Ω to limit the fault current effectively. This work is perspective for the future planar maglev applications, to improve the system compactness, stability, reliability, miniaturization and lightweight with multifunctional integrated design.