Permanent Magnet Electrodynamic Suspensions Applied to MAGLEV Transportation Systems: A Review

This article reviews permanent magnet electrodynamic suspensions (PM-EDSs) used in ground transportation systems, such as Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) trains. The different suspension topologies are first presented, considering separately their two main components, namely the track and the magnetic field source. Beyond that, a phenomenological explanation of the evolution with the speed of the drag and levitation forces is provided, depending on the track topology. The models aimed at predicting the behavior and performance of the suspension are then detailed, classifying them according to whether they are global or local. Finally, the main experimental setups developed to validate PM-EDSs are described.