American Superconductor High Temperature Superconductor Wire Powers Prototype Coil for Japanese Maglev Train System
Central Japan Railway's new coil design demonstrates practicality of using lower cost HTS technology
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Superconductor Corporation , a leading electricity solutions company, today announced that Central Japan Railway Company ("JR Central")has successfully utilized AMSC's high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire in a prototype electromagnetic coil designed for use as the lifting component in JR Central's magnetically levitated ("maglev") train system.
The maglev train is the vehicle being considered for Japan's Chuo Shinkansen, an alternate route connecting Tokyo to Osaka. Continued economic and technical success will make HTS electromagnets a strong candidate for the maglev train. The total potential HTS wire requirement for a full, commercial maglev train system is expected to exceed 100 million meters.
JR Central designed the HTS maglev coil and specifically chose AMSC's wire for this project for its high current-carrying capability. To optimize the current density, AMSC provided bare wire without the standard strengthening process of stainless steel lamination that is utilized on AMSC's wire for most other applications. Final development and fabrication of the coil was completed by Toshiba Corporation using a new HTS coil manufacturing technique. Recent improvements in the coil winding techniques made it possible to maximize the current density of this special wire while meeting vibration requirements for the maglev train.
"We are honored to have been able to contribute to JR Central's successful demonstration of HTS coils for maglev," said David Paratore, president and chief operating officer of AMSC. "We are dedicated to working hard and to collaborating with our Japanese colleagues to help make HTS maglev a success in Japan."
JR Central and Japan's Railway Technical Research Institute's (RTRI) current maglev train system, which today must rely on low temperature superconductor (LTS) electromagnets, recently set a world speed record of 581 kilometer per hour (360 miles per hour) for the highest speed attained by a manned superconducting magnetically levitating train while "flying" about 10 centimeters (4 inches) above its "track."
Advantages of switching from LTS to HTS electromagnets include reduction of both capital and operating costs for the Maglev train system, JR Central announced recently.*
HTS Technology: More Robust, Lower Cost of Cooling
JR Central reported that its HTS maglev coils can be cooled by means of direct thermal contact with refrigeration systems and therefore do not require the liquid helium cooling needed for the LTS coils currently being used in the maglev train system at the Yamanashi Maglev Test Track. JR Central also reported that its HTS coil met electrical and vibration requirements it has established for superconductor maglev trains.
JR Central expects to display HTS coils at the JR Central Pavilion "Invitation to the Ultimate Surface Transit System" exhibit at the 2005 World Exposition to be held in Aichi, Japan starting on March 25, 2005.
Development of JR Central's HTS coil technology was achieved through collaboration with the International Superconductivity Technology Center (ISTEC) in Tokyo and was funded in part by Japan's New Energy Development Organization (NEDO).
About Central Japan Railway Company
Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central, also known as JR Tokai) commenced operations in April 1987 upon the privatization and breakup of the Japanese National Railways (JNR). The core of JR Central's operations is the Tokaido Shinkansen, the main transportation artery linking Japan's principal metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. JR Central also operates a network of conventional train lines centered on the Nagoya and Shizuoka areas. The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are strengthening affiliated businesses by making full use of its stations and trains. For more information on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line see pref.aichi.jp. To learn more about JR Central, see jr-central.co.jp .
About American Superconductor
AMSC is a world-leading supplier of dynamic reactive power grid stabilization products and the world's principal vendor of high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire and large rotating superconductor machinery. AMSC's power electronic converters and HTS wire are at the core of a broad range of new electricity transmission and distribution, transportation, medical and industrial processing applications, including dynamic reactive power grid stabilization solutions, large ship propulsion motors and generators, smart, controllable, superconductor power cables and advanced defense systems. The company's products are supported by hundreds of patents and licenses covering technologies fundamental to Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity(TM). More information is available at amsuper.com.
*For more information on JR Central's recent announcement and accompanying photographs and charts, see jr-central.co.jp .
American Superconductor and Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity are trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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