THE AMT MAGLEV TEST SLED - EML WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION TO TRANSPORTATION

Technology spinoffs from prior electromagnetic launcher work enhance a magnetic levitation transportation system test bed being developed by American Maglev Technology of Florida, This project uses a series wou nd linear DC motor and brushes to simplify the magnetic levitation pro pulsion system, It takes advantage of previous related work in electro magnetic launcher technology to achieve success with this innovative d esign, Technology and knowledge gained from developments for homopolar generators and proposed rail gun arc control are key to successful pe rformance, This contribution supports a cost effective design that is competitive with alternative concepts, Brushes transfer power from the guideway (rail) to the vehicle (armature) in a novel design that acti vates the guideway only under the vehicle, reducing power losses and g uideway construction costs, The vehicle carries no power for propulsio n and levitation, and acts only as a conduit for the power through the high speed brushes, Brush selection and performance is based on previ ous EML homopolar generator research, A counterpulse circuit, first in troduced in an early EML conference, is used to suppress arcing on the trailing brush and to transfer inductive energy to the next propulsio n coil, Isolated static lift and preliminary propulsion tests have bee n completed, and integrated propulsion and lift tests are scheduled in early 1996.