Maglev transportation using electrodynamic wheels is a promising new technology aimed at providing a low cost, high-speed and environmental friendly mode of transportation. In this technology, Halbach permanent magnet rotors, termed electrodynamic wheels, are simultaneously rotated and translationally moved above a conductive non-magnetic guideway. The time-changing magnetic field created in the airgap between the rotors and guideway induces eddy currents in the guideway which in turn interact with the magnetic rotor field to produce suspension and propulsion or braking forces which are required for maglev transportation. This technology offers an integrated suspension and propulsion system.In this dissertation the eddy current distribution in the conductive guideway has been modeled in three-dimension. An approach for the computation of the static magnetic fields due to the Halbach rotor has been presented using novel magnetic charge sheet concept. Finite element models have been developed to study the steady state and transient eddy current field distribution. Three analytic models have been developed to compute the electromagnetic forces and torque acting on the rotor as well as joule loss in the guideway. The models include the heave, translational and rotational motion of the magnetic rotor for dynamic simulation. The developed analytic and finite element models are highly generic and thus can be applied to any magnetic source. The developed finite element models have been validated by comparing it with commercial finite element software and previously developed boundary coupled steady state finite element model. Commercial finite element software and two experimental setups have been used to verify the developed analytic models. Computational efficiency of the presented models has been compared with the previously developed finite element model and commercial software. Good performance of the developed models has been achieved.
