Project Title:
Magnetic Suspension and Balance System Advanced Study
02.03-5903
Magnetic Suspension and Balance System Advanced Study
Madison Magnetics Inc.
216 Walnut Street
Madison
WI
53705
Boom
W. Roger
NAS1-18279
Amount:
LaRC
NAS1-17931
Abstract:
The innovation investigated in Phase II is to achieve more powerful,more compact, less expensive and more reliable suspension systems by new design concepts
and by the experimental and theoretical development of new key components. The results
of the Phase I work are improvements over the previous 1984 Madison design as to
reductions in: cost (28%), weight (43%), conductor (38%), helium liquefier (33%),
power (68%), stored energy (55%); and increased pole strength (19%) and increased
wing permanent magnetization (40%). Costs for an MSBS for an 8' x 8' tunnel have
decreased from $89,000,000 in 1982 (G.E.) to $29,900,000 in 1984 (M.M.I.) to $21,400,000
in the Phase I study. The objectives of Phase II are to confirm and enhance the
new features of the Phase I design which are better persistent current superconducting
solenoids in the suspended airplane model, better permanent magnet wings, and better
designs. The planned efforts to develop new key components are to construct and
test a full-scale cryostat and solenoid wound on a holmium core, to experimentally
develop even
better solenoids with new NbTi wire and better epoxy potting, to test new permanent
magnet wing material, and to confirm better designs. The results expected are experimental
confirmations of the key component developments which substantiate the major MSBS
design improvements.