PURDUE Hyperloop Team

• Air bearing levitation• Pressurized tank supply

• Sustained levitation• 90s for 552 lbs• 50s for max payload

• Provides 0.0394in [1mm] air cushion• AlumiRes (RC-3) urethane, cast in-house

Levitation

Structures

• Lightweight skin of bi-directional, double ply carbon fiber.

• Mounting brackets machined from 2024 aluminum• Nomex core for loadbearing structural elements• Floor• Deck• Chassis

1

Aerodynamics

Flow Visualization

• Optimized pod shape using Bezier control points

• Design to reduce drag• Analyzed with ANSYS Fluent

Type of Battery: ANR26650M1-B LiFePO4 Cylindrical CellsBattery Specs: 3.3 V, 2.5 Ah, 8 Wh, 50 A continuous

Power

Emergency Operation Mode: 12 V

System Power Requirement

Emergency Wheel System

288 W

Braking 1056 W

Total ~1344 W

Normal Operation Mode: 12 V

System Power Requirement

Avionics and Altitude Control

1500 W

Braking 1056 W

Levitation 288 W

Total ~2844 W• 90 batteries• Rechargeable• 49.5 V per pack• Buck converter steps

down to 12 volts• Each system has its

own converter

Project Manager: Paul Witsberger Assistant Project Manager: Megan SmithFaculty Advisors: Dr. Alina Alexeenko, Dr. Guillermo Paniagua

Attitude Control

• 4 magnetic thrusters• Rotating Halbach

arrays• Stepper motors tilt

the mechanism for• Stabilization• Thrust• Braking

• Minimal deflection during normal acceleration periods

• Crumple zone at front edge of pod mitigates crash damage

Parameter Value

Lift Coefficient,

CL

0.262

DragCoefficient,

CD

0.518

Braking and Propulsion

Propulsion• Compressed air propulsion• 19.3 lbf (86N) of thrust for 10 seconds• Single nozzle is integrated into SpaceX Pusher interface• Reduces track time by approximately 5%

Braking• Two braking regimes• High to low speed, magnetic• Low speed to stop, friction

• 2.4 Gs of constant deceleration• Utilize center rail for both regimes

Central air supply

Machined channelsGap Height,

in [mm]Pod Speed, ft/s [m/s]

Required Mass Flow, kg/s [lbm/s]

0.0394 [1] 328 [100] 0.414 [0.1878]

0.0591 [1.5] 328 [100] 1.281 [0.5810]

0.0394 [1] 0 0.3369 [0.1528]

0.0591 [1.5] 0 1.137 [0.5158]Air bearing pressure distributions for different slot and hole orientations

Avionics Network

Dimensions: 120” length, 38” height, 36” widthMass: 552 lbm (250 kg)Travel Time: 19.3 secOperating Pressure: 0.02 psiBudget: $30,000Payload Capability: 15.3%Unique Features: -Air bearing levitation-Low mass and power-Passenger seat