Abstract of Thesis presented at COPPE/UFRJ as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.)

Study Traction of a Superconducting Magnetic Levitation Vehicle: Contribution to Maglev-Cobra Certification

Laércio Simas Mattos

June/2015

Advisor:

Richard Magdalena Stephan

Department:

Eletrical Engineering

      This work initiates with a comparative contextualization of magnetically levitated vehicles with conventional wheel-rail trains. The Superconducting Magnetic Levitation vehicle MagLev-Cobra and its particularities are presented. The Automated People Mover (APM) theory is introduced and the APM standard of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which is used as the basis for this work, is described. The main MagLev-Cobra components are detailed, among which: the modules and the modularity characteristics, the linear induction motor (LIM), the "C" topology which contributes to the levitation, the cryostats used in levitation , the test line of two hundred meters, the frequency inverters used in the propulsion and the communication system. The sensing is treated with special attention because, in automatic vehicles, it becomes essential, both for operational reasons and, mainly, for security reasons. Simulations and tests related to traction, displacement and levitation are presented and form the core of the work, around which orbit the other topics discussed. The combination of theoretical concepts, standards, simulations, tests and physical parts of the vehicle is analyzed from the perspective of making the MagLevCobra an APM. This is a significative step for the certification of the test line, since the APM standard is quite complete when it comes to safety of people and equipment.