APPLICATION OF MAGLEV IN DESIGN AND

OPTIMIZATION OF HIGH SPEED TRAIN TRACKS

CONTENTS:•Introduction•Magnetic Levitation trains •principle of operation•Types of magnetic levitation•Advantages •Current projects•Other applications•Conclusion•References

Magnetic Levitation Magnetic levitation is the use of magnetic fields to Magnetic levitation is the use of magnetic fields to

levitate a metallic object. levitate a metallic object.

Manipulating magnetic fields and controlling their Manipulating magnetic fields and controlling their forces can levitate an object.forces can levitate an object.

Basic Principle of Maglev TrainsMaglev trains have to perform the following

functions to operate in high speeds

1.Leviation

2.Propulsion

3.Lateral Guidance

Principle of Magnetic Levitation In the EMS-attractive system, the

electromagnets which do the work of levitation are attached on the top side of a casing that extends below and then curves back up to the rail that is in the center of the track.

Principle of Propulsion A linear electric motor (LEM) is a mechanism which converts

electrical energy directly into linear motion without employing any intervening rotary components

Linear Induction Motor (LIM) is basically a rotating squirrel cage induction motor opened out flat

Instead of producing rotary torque from a cylindrical machine it produces linear force from a flat one.

A conventional rotary synchronous motor , is made up of two rings of alternating north and south magnetic poles.

Sides of the guide way are energized by a three-phase alternating current from a substation, creating a shifting magnetic field on the guide way.

Principle of Lateral Guidance The levitation magnets and rail are both U shaped, with rail being an inverted U.

The mouths of U face one another.

When one side of the train nears the side of the guide way, the super conducting magnet on the train induces a repulsive force from the levitation coils on the side closer to the train and an attractive force from the coils on the farther side.

This keeps the train in the center.

Types of Maglev TrainsBased on the technique used for Levitation there are

two types of Maglev trains

1. Electromagnetic Suspension -Attractive2. Electrodynamics Suspension -repulsive

Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS)

Electromagnetic Suspension uses electromagnets to levitate the train

Electrodynamics Suspension (EDS) Electrodynamics' Suspension uses

Superconductors for levitation, propulsion and lateral guidance

Superconductivity Superconductivity occurs in certain

materials at very low temperatures. When superconductive, a material has

an electrical resistance of exactly zero.

An EDS system can provide both levitation and propulsion using an onboard linear motor.

EMS systems can only levitate the train using the magnets onboard, not propel it forward.

Advantages of MagLev trains Maglev uses 30% less energy than a high-speed trains

The operating costs is reduced

20 times safer than airplanes, 250 times safer than conventional railroads 700 times safer than automobile travel.

Maglev vehicle carries no fuel to increase fire hazard

materials - non-combustible (poor penetration transmitters of heat, and able to withstand fire).

Current Projects

Currently operational systems include Tran rapid (Germany ) and High Speed Surface Transport (Japan).

Germany and Japan have been the pioneering countries in Maglev research

CHINA (Shanghai – Hangzhou)

Other Applications

NASA plans to use magnetic levitation for launching of space vehicles into low earth orbit.

The mining industry will also benefit from Maglev.

There are probably many more undiscovered applications!

Conclusion The Maglev Train: Research on this ‘dream train' has

been going on for the last 30 odd years in various parts of the world.

The chief advantages are:

Non-contact and non-wearing propulsion, independent of friction, no mechanical components like wheel, axle.

The Maglev offers a cheap, efficient alternative to the current rail system. A country like India could benefit very much if this were implemented here.

REFERENCES:1. U.S. Department of Transportation (Federal Transit Administration). Low Speed Maglev Technology Development Program – Final Report, FTA-CA-26-7025-02.1, March 2002. 2. R. F. Post, D. D. Ryutov, “The Inductrack: A Simpler Approach to Magnetic Levitation,” I.E.E.E, Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 10, 901 (2000)