Working Principle and Primary Electromagnetic Characteristics of a Permanent Magnet Electrodynamic Wheel for Maglev Car Application

The contradiction between supply and demand of road transportation is prominent and the traffic load is increasing day by day, which makes it face a new challenge. Maglev car is the application of maglev technology to the automotive field, so as to realize the non-contact operation of the vehicle and the road, reduce the running resistance, improve speed and road operating efficiency. This paper studies a special permanent magnet electrodynamic suspension (PMEDS) structure that can convert magnetic resistance into propulsion force which is called as electrodynamic wheel (EDW). The primary electromagnetic characteristic of the PMEDS system employing an annular Halbach structure was analyzed by simulation and experiments. Firstly, the physical model of EDW was established to introduce the working principle and structural characteristics in detail, and a 2D finite element simulation model by ANSYS Maxwell was established. Subsequently, the structural parameters of the permanent magnet wheel and the induction plate were optimized. Then, a PMEDS test platform was designed based on the simulation results. Compared with the experimental results under dynamic conditions, the finite element simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. The results show that the EDW can achieve stable levitation force and propulsion force at the same time, which indicates a possible technical approach for maglev car.