Prediction of Lift and Drag Forces in an EDS Maglev System

This document examines the tradeoffs of choosing a null flux excitation system versus a simple coil excitation. In both cases the guideway is considered to be a simple "O" shaped coil positioned vertically on the track. An analysis of both shows that the null flux excitation provides equivalent lift to the open coil system with less drag; further the lift is stabilizing in both directions for the null flux excitation. The full rectangular excitation coil proves to be excellent for guidance especially if the vehicle magnets/coils on either side are arranged in repulsion. The rectangular coils in attraction prove to be expensive for drag production and unable to produce downward restoring forces.