Transportation Dept.

MAGNETIC LEVITATING TRAIN

WITH NEAR ZERO ENERGY

CONSUMPTION

UAQ 4

UAQ 4 is the most advanced and ecological train in the world.

The system is a guided train using superconductors and

supermagnets for lifting and guiding. It is a unique and patented

technology, that is comprehensively tested in the laboratory.

UAQ 4 is the only magnetic levitating vehicle with 100% resistance

free motion, except aerodynamic drag.

The energy consumption is almost zero.

When compared with similar traditional high speed train at 500

kmph, the annual energy saving is 7,000 tonn/year of fuel per

train.

The system significantly minimizes environmental impact as it

does not have any vibrations, noise and pollution.

UAQ 4 can operate at both low speed in urban environment and

high speed (up to 600 kmph in air, and even higher in tube) for

long distance trips.

In order to illustrate better the novel aspects of UAQ 4, a brief

historical review of the technology developments of the past 40

years is presented in the following pages.

Additionally, more details of the technology used in UAQ 4 is

presented. The list of scientific papers published over 40 years by

UAQ 4 researchers is also provided.

1960

1975

BERTIN

France

IAP 3

Italy

GARRET

USA

• Reverse T shaped way

• Air Cushion

• Helix propulsion

• U shaped way, Air Cushion, SLIM propulsion, Active suspensions

• Railway vehicle driven by

double sided linear motor

1976

TRANSRAPID

Germany

• Electromagnetic levitation to attraction with dynamic control• Propulsion with synchronous linear motor

Disadvantages:

•Minimum operative distance (8 mm), Unstable system, Control problems,

Magnetic resistance, Excessive vibration, High precision of the way

MAGLEV

Japan

• Electrodynamics levitation with superconducting coils

• Linear motor propulsion

EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEMS SINCE 1976

INDUTRACK - U.S.A.

• Magnets on vehicle

• Inductive way

• Propulsion with synchronous linear engine

Disadvantages:

•Need of wheels

•Strong magnetic resistance to motion

•Expensive way

ITALY - SYSTEM USING MEISSNER EFFECT

1990 Lanzara - Italy- U.S. PATENT . n. 4,979,445

• Lift and guide forces of the system that are generated from

interaction between superconducting runner onboard and way

magnetic field. The superconducting runners refuse the magnetic

field, generated from supermagnets on the way (Meissner Effect)

• Levitation in any motion condition

• Stable equilibrium without control systems

• No magnetic resistance to motion ( except aerodynamic

resistance)

• High operative gap

• No magnetic field effect on the vehicle and environment

UAQ 4 – Italy– 2 PATENTS: n. AQ2007A000003 n. AQ2007A000013 (Lanzara, D’Ovidio, Crisi)

Additional features:

•System architechture that is simple and compatable with traditional rails

•Magnetic field confined into the way

•Superconducting runners magnetically joined in the way

1

3

46

1

77 228 9

6

0,86

2,6

6

2,01 2,01

Trave in ferro

Magnete permanente

Elemento di fissaggio Superconduttori

Basamento

Guidovia di levitazione

Pianale

Slitta

0,7

0,29

Pattino superconduttivo

0,66

Guidovia di propulsione

0,7

0,43

0,66

Trave in ferro

Magnete permanente

Elemento di fissaggio Avvolgimenti elettrici

Basamento

Pianale

Slitta

Pattino di propulsione

Studies

Guided cushion vehicle with automatic

stability granted by

US - Department of Commerce

University of Kentucky

Lanzara Fulbright

Italy 1968 - 1976:University of Palermo

Aereonautic institute

Lanzara et alii

Prototype IAP3

Technology using air cushion, single

side linear motor and active

suspension

Italy 1992 – 2008:University of L’Aquila

Faculty of Engineering

Lanzara, D’Ovidio, Crisi et alii

UAQ 4

Levitating train technology using

superconductor and supermagnets

with DC linear motor

Invention of high temperature

superconductors and supermagnets1986 - 1990

Experimental demonstration of UAQ 4 system

Patent n. AQ2007A000003

Propulsion

Patent n. AQ2007A000013

Lift and Guide

S

Z

Z

X

PM

(NeFe

B)Iron

M

Y

Z

X

Experimental Boogie