Abstract: A guideway for a magnetically levitated railway is described, having a longitudinal stator linear drive comprising at least two parallel stators. The guideway includes a plurality of supports (1) arranged along a given line and adapted to form straight and curved guideway sections and stator sections mounted on the supports (1), these sections being composed of straight stator end packs (6a, f; 7a, f) and likewise straight middle stator packs (6b-3; 7b-e) arranged therebetween, the packs in the region of the curved guideway sections being laid in the manner of polygonal trains to form outer and inner stator sections (6, 7) and being separated from one another by gaps (23, 24). The stator end packs (6a,f; 7a,f) and the middle stator packs (6b-3; 7b-e) have a predetermined tooth/groove pitch (16) with reference to a conceptual space curve (2) and different “ideal” lengths which differ from one another by fractions of a tooth/groove pitch (16).

Abstract: A device for driving a vehicle by magnetic levitation includes a synchronous long-stator motor, with a long stator winding extending along a track of the vehicle and subdivided into a plurality of discrete stator winding sections (3.11 to 3.19; 3.21 to 3.29). The vehicle which is movable on the track supports several fixedly mounted exciters cooperating with the stator winding sections. At least one section cable (17, 28) is arranged parallel to a portion of the track and each of its ends is connected to a power sub-station. The section cable has a plurality of consecutive tap points each being connectable via a switching device to an assigned stator winding section. The switching devices are activated when the vehicle runs over the corresponding winding section.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for determining the distance of a probe, particularly a magnetic bearing or a magnetic levitation device, from a conductive reaction rail. The probe comprises at least one sensor having at least two magnetically-coupled coils disposed opposite the reaction rail. The coils generate an alternating magnetic field whose influences (eddy currents) are detected by the sensor and employed for identification of the distance. In order to achieve a high, useful voltage level, insensitivity to external electrical fields and potential fluctuations, as well as a small influence of system-conditioned magnetic fields, the influences of eddy currents induced in the reaction rail by the alternating magnetic field are acquired and utilized for the identification of the distance.

Abstract: An excitation arrangement for a long stator drive for rapid transit systems has combined generation of propulsive and portative forces. The arrangement comprises at least one heteropolar magnet which has a plurality of channels extending at right angles relative to the direction of the long stator, the channels being open at their pole plane lying opposite the long stator and magnetic coils are located in the channel. The channels have a rectangular cross section extending up to the pole plane and the conductors of the magnetic coils are wound in tight contact with one another and with the channel walls on the side of the poles. The magnet comprises at least one recess extending parallel to the channels beneath the pole plane.

Abstract: This invention relates to an interferometric process, and particularly to a process for examining the planarity of surfaces.