Summary:
This paper introduces a novel electromagnetic suspension (EMS) system which is both tailored for operation on a discontinuous track made of steel segments and aimed at improving the integration and modularity of contemporary transportation systems like Maglev. The key innovation involves using the same track than for the propulsion system with a homopolar motor, which seeks to lower infrastructure costs and resource consumption, enhancing the synergy between the propulsion and levitation systems. The paper tackles critical issues such as iron losses and force ripple, which can significantly impact the energy efficiency and ride comfort of Maglev systems. The EMS model, developed using Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations, was compared to measurements on a scaled vehicle. The development of the light-weight vehicle has led to a simple and effective way to measure the characteristics of an EMS module confirming the model's accuracy and reliability, thus ensuring its practical applicability to a full-scale system.