Design of a Small-Scale Prototype for a Stabilized Permanent Magnet Levitated Vehicle

A small-scale proof-of-concept prototype has been designed and built as the next stage in the development of a novel maglev vehicle concept. This prototype demonstrates many of the key advantages of the technology which uses permanent magnets for levitation and does not require any moving parts in a track bifurcation. Key design features and performance characteristics of the prototype are described: the control system for stable levitation, the linear synchronous motor for propulsion and the method of track switching. Alternative system configurations and other applications of the technology are also briefly discussed.