A linear synchronous motor for high-speed ground transport

This paper describes a linear synchronous motor which has been designed to propel a 500 km/hr electrodynamically-levitated vehicle. Superconducting magnets on the vehicle interact with an aluminum-cable winding built into the guideway. Following a description of the motor, a coupled-circuit model is derived and used to optimize the winding Configuration and to predict the performance of the motor. An inverter which acts as a controllable current source is used with the motor.