Characterization and Optimization of Berdut Technology for a Magnetically Levitated Train

Berdut Technology is a novel magnetic levitation system suitable for high speed train applications. This technology combines magnets and electromagnets to obtain levitation and propulsion. A Berdut array of permanent magnets is used to provide the levitation via skates that are located on both sides of the vehicle. Both the rails and the skates are based on permanent magnets therefore no energy is required for levitation. A linear motor located along the center of the vehicle provides the propulsion. Both, skate and linear motor use the same concept and working principle. The paper is divided into two parts: the first part describes the skate levitation, while the second part describes the linear motor. Finite element method was chosen to model and simulate both the skate levitation and the linear motor. Energy dissipation resulting from hysteresis and eddy current losses in the skate was determined. Stiffness and damping characteristics for the levitation skates are presented and validated. The efficiency and thrust force for the linear motor model are also presented along with experiments performed to validate the simulations. Once, validated the models are used to design a Maglev suspension and a linear motor for high-speed train applications.