maglev trains

Maglev TrainsMaglev TrainsTrains that fly on air.Trains that fly on air.

Professor: Miloš D. ĐurićProfessor: Miloš D. Đurić Student: Dragić Lalić 105/09Student: Dragić Lalić 105/09

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade University of Belgrade

June 2011. June 2011.

OutlineOutline ProblemProblem SolutionSolution ImplementationImplementation Superconducting MagnetsSuperconducting Magnets What are MagLev trains?What are MagLev trains? TechnologyTechnology How Transrapid WorksHow Transrapid Works Levitation System’s Power Levitation System’s Power

SupplySupply PropulsionPropulsion

LevitationLevitation SafetySafety SpeedSpeed Economic EfficiencyEconomic Efficiency Better for the EnvironmentBetter for the Environment MagLev vs. Conventional MagLev vs. Conventional

TrainsTrains Examples of using MagLevExamples of using MagLev Other MagLev ApplicationsOther MagLev Applications SummerySummery ReferencesReferences

ProblemProblem Current land transportation is slowCurrent land transportation is slow Land is limited by frictionLand is limited by friction Flying is expensive Flying is expensive Air and land travel takes up a lot of fuelAir and land travel takes up a lot of fuel

SolutionSolution Reduce friction for land travelReduce friction for land travel ““Hover” just over the railroad tracksHover” just over the railroad tracks Process is simpler than making a plane flyProcess is simpler than making a plane fly Staying on land is saferStaying on land is safer

ImplementationImplementation Strong magnets on moving carStrong magnets on moving car Magnetic forces hold car in positionMagnetic forces hold car in position

VerticallyVertically Inclining or declining trackInclining or declining track Weight distribution changingWeight distribution changing

HorizontallyHorizontally Wind forcesWind forces TurningTurning

Superconducting MagnetsSuperconducting Magnets

Superconducting magnets on train Superconducting magnets on train induce current on conducting sheet induce current on conducting sheet

Induced currents generate magnetic Induced currents generate magnetic repulsive forcerepulsive force

In conducting sheet guideway there In conducting sheet guideway there are power losses in sheetare power losses in sheet

Slightly corrected by making small Slightly corrected by making small conducting loopsconducting loops

Still significant losses…Still significant losses…

What are MagLev trains?What are MagLev trains? MagLev stands for Magnetic levitation.MagLev stands for Magnetic levitation. MagLev uses Electromagnetic Propulsion.MagLev uses Electromagnetic Propulsion. Trains are thrust forward by positively and negatively Trains are thrust forward by positively and negatively

charged magnets.charged magnets. The train floats on a cushion of air eliminating The train floats on a cushion of air eliminating

friction.friction.

TechnologyTechnology 3 main functions3 main functions

Levitation or suspensionLevitation or suspension PropulsionPropulsion GuidanceGuidance

Electromagnetic vs. Electromagnetic vs. ElectrodynamicElectrodynamic

SuperconductorsSuperconductors

How Transrapid WorksHow Transrapid Works Support SystemSupport System•The electromagnets on the The electromagnets on the underside of the train pull underside of the train pull it up to the ferromagnetic it up to the ferromagnetic stators on the track and stators on the track and levitate the train. levitate the train.

•The magnets on the side The magnets on the side keep the train from moving keep the train from moving from side to side. from side to side.

•A computer changes the A computer changes the amount of current to keep amount of current to keep the train 1 cm from the the train 1 cm from the track.track.

This means there is no friction This means there is no friction between the train and the track!between the train and the track!

Levitation System’s Power SupplyLevitation System’s Power Supply

Batteries on the train power the system, and therefore Batteries on the train power the system, and therefore it still functions without propulsion. it still functions without propulsion.

The batteries can levitate the train for 30 minutes The batteries can levitate the train for 30 minutes without any additional energy.without any additional energy.

Linear generators in the magnets on board the train Linear generators in the magnets on board the train use the motion of the train to recharge the batteries.use the motion of the train to recharge the batteries.

Levitation system uses less power than the trains air Levitation system uses less power than the trains air conditioning.conditioning.

•An alternating current is ran through electromagnet coils on the An alternating current is ran through electromagnet coils on the guide walls of the guide way. This creates a magnetic field that guide walls of the guide way. This creates a magnetic field that attracts and repels the superconducting magnets on the train and attracts and repels the superconducting magnets on the train and propels the train forward.propels the train forward.

•Braking is accomplished by sending an alternating current in the Braking is accomplished by sending an alternating current in the reverse direction so that it is slowed by attractive and repulsive reverse direction so that it is slowed by attractive and repulsive forces.forces.

Propulsion (1)Propulsion (1)

Propulsion (2)Propulsion (2) The system consists of

aluminum three-phase cable windings in the stator packs that are on the guideway

Different speeds are achieved by varying the intensity of the current.

Only the section of track where the train is traveling is electrified.

•The passing of the superconducting magnets by figure The passing of the superconducting magnets by figure eight levitation coils on the side of the tract induces a eight levitation coils on the side of the tract induces a current in the coils and creates a magnetic field. This current in the coils and creates a magnetic field. This pushes the train upward so that it can levitate 10 cm pushes the train upward so that it can levitate 10 cm above the track. above the track.

•The train does not levitate until it reaches 50 mph, so it The train does not levitate until it reaches 50 mph, so it is equipped with retractable wheels.is equipped with retractable wheels.

Levitation Levitation

SafetySafety The trains are virtually impossible to derail The trains are virtually impossible to derail

because the train is wrapped around the track.because the train is wrapped around the track. Collisions between trains are unlikely because Collisions between trains are unlikely because

computers are controlling the trains computers are controlling the trains movements.movements.

The ride is smooth while not accelerating.The ride is smooth while not accelerating.

SpeedSpeed The train can travel at about 300 mph. The train can travel at about 300 mph. For trips of distances up to 500 miles its total For trips of distances up to 500 miles its total

travel time is equal to a planes (including travel time is equal to a planes (including check in time and travel to airport.)check in time and travel to airport.)

It can accelerate to 200 mph in 3 miles, so it is It can accelerate to 200 mph in 3 miles, so it is ideal for short jumps.ideal for short jumps.

At 300 mph, you could At 300 mph, you could travel from Paris to Rometravel from Paris to Rome in just 2 hours!in just 2 hours!

Economic EfficiencyEconomic Efficiency

The initial investment is similar to other high speed The initial investment is similar to other high speed rail roads. (Maglift is $20-$40 million per mile and I-rail roads. (Maglift is $20-$40 million per mile and I-279 in Pittsburg cost $37 million per mile 20 years 279 in Pittsburg cost $37 million per mile 20 years ago.)ago.)

Operating expenses are half of that of other railroads.Operating expenses are half of that of other railroads. A train is composed of sections that each contain 100 A train is composed of sections that each contain 100

seats, and a train can have between 2 and 10 sections.seats, and a train can have between 2 and 10 sections. The linear generators produce electricity for the cabin The linear generators produce electricity for the cabin

of the train.of the train.

Better for the EnvironmentBetter for the Environment Less energy consumption because no rail-track Less energy consumption because no rail-track

frictionfriction Requires no fossil fuel which can harm the Requires no fossil fuel which can harm the

environment.environment. Less noise pollution since the train never hits the Less noise pollution since the train never hits the

tracktrack MagLev guide ways and trains take up less space MagLev guide ways and trains take up less space

than conventional trainsthan conventional trains The magnetic field created is low, therefore there are The magnetic field created is low, therefore there are

no adverse effects.no adverse effects.

MagLev vs. Conventional TrainsMagLev vs. Conventional TrainsMagLev TrainsMagLev Trains Conventional TrainsConventional Trains

No Friction = Less No Friction = Less MaintenanceMaintenance

Routine Maintenance Routine Maintenance NeededNeeded

No Engine = No fuel No Engine = No fuel requiredrequired

Engine requires fossil fuelsEngine requires fossil fuels

Speeds in excess ofSpeeds in excess of300 mph300 mph

Speeds up to 110 mphSpeeds up to 110 mph

Examples of using MagLev(1)Examples of using MagLev(1)

The German Trans-Rapid maglev train uses powered electromagnets attracting upward to an iron rail


The Japanese Yamanashi demonstration maglevThe Japanese Yamanashi demonstration maglevtrain uses superconducting magnets on its sides train uses superconducting magnets on its sides


At speed superconducting magnet coils on the Japanese train At speed superconducting magnet coils on the Japanese train induce currents in coils in the “tracks” on each sideinduce currents in coils in the “tracks” on each side


An EDS Urban Transit Maglev system test track andAn EDS Urban Transit Maglev system test track and test car has been built and operated in Korea test car has been built and operated in Korea

Other MagLev ApplicationsOther MagLev Applications Disneyland’s California Disneyland’s California

Adventure CoasterAdventure Coaster California Screamin’ roller California Screamin’ roller

coaster uses MagLev technology coaster uses MagLev technology to propel car from 0-55 mph in to propel car from 0-55 mph in less than 5 seconds!less than 5 seconds!

U.S. military is looking into U.S. military is looking into using MagLevusing MagLev

Possible uses could include:Possible uses could include: Rocket launchingRocket launching Aircraft carrier launching padAircraft carrier launching pad Space craft launchingSpace craft launching

SummerySummery Maglev trains use magnets to levitate and propel the Maglev trains use magnets to levitate and propel the

trains forward. trains forward. Since there is no friction these trains can reach high Since there is no friction these trains can reach high

speeds.speeds. It is a safe and efficient way to travel.It is a safe and efficient way to travel. Governments have mixed feelings about the Governments have mixed feelings about the

technology. Some countries, like China, have technology. Some countries, like China, have embraced it and others like Germany have balked at embraced it and others like Germany have balked at the expense.the expense.

Currently test tracks are being built in America.Currently test tracks are being built in America. Maglev transportation has a questionable future.Maglev transportation has a questionable future.

ReferencesReferences Bonsor, Kevin. “How Maglev Trains Work”. 5 September, 2002. Bonsor, Kevin. “How Maglev Trains Work”. 5 September, 2002.

<http://travel.howstuffworks.com/maglev-train.htm><http://travel.howstuffworks.com/maglev-train.htm>

Keating, Oliver. “Maglevs (Magnetically Levitated Trains)”. 16 June, Keating, Oliver. “Maglevs (Magnetically Levitated Trains)”. 16 June, 2000. <http://www.okeating.com/hsr/maglev.htm>2000. <http://www.okeating.com/hsr/maglev.htm>

Disney Online. “California Screamin’”. August, 1999. Disney Online. “California Screamin’”. August, 1999. <http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/attractions/<http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/attractions/detail?name=CaliforniaScreaminAttractionPage>detail?name=CaliforniaScreaminAttractionPage>

MagLev Systems. “Electromagnetic Systems”. General Atomics and MagLev Systems. “Electromagnetic Systems”. General Atomics and Affiliated Companies. 2005. <http://www.ga.com/atg/ems.php>.Affiliated Companies. 2005. <http://www.ga.com/atg/ems.php>.

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maglev trains

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