SEMINAR

on
“MAGLEV”
MAGNETIC LEVITATION TRAINS

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

- RISHABH GUPTA
1

2K14/EE/097
 SUMMARY
• Introduction
• Operating Principle
• Magnetic Levitation
• Types of Magnetic Levitation
• Construction
• Types
• How Does It Work
• Development of the Concept
• Present Using
• Future Plans
• Conclusion
• References

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 INTRODUCTION
• Maglev Train – Magnetically Levitated Train
• Floats on opposing or attracting magnetic
fields above its guideway on a cushion of air
• The idea of Magnetic Levitation is credited to
the Germans.
• Wheels and moving parts are eliminated on
the Maglev train, allowing the Maglev train
to essentially move on air without friction.

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 Concept Of Maglev Train
• The motion of the Maglev train is based purely on
magnetism and magnetic fields using high-powered
electromagnets.
• By using magnetic fields, the Maglev train can be
levitated above its track, or guide way, and propelled
forward.

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 MAGNETIC LEVITATION SYSTEM
• Magnetic levitation means “to rise and float in air”.
• The Maglev system is made possible by the use of
electromagnets and magnetic fields.
• The basic principle behind Maglev is that if you put two
magnets together in a certain way there will be a strong
magnetic attraction and the two magnets will clamp
together. This is called "attraction". If one of those
magnets is flipped over then there will be a strong
magnetic repulsion and the magnets will push each
other apart. This is called "repulsion".
• Now imagine a long line of magnets alternatively
placed along a track. A line of alternatively placed
magnets on the bottom of the train. If these magnets
are properly controlled the trains will lift of the ground
by the magnetic repulsion or magnetic attraction.
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Types of Magnetic Levitation System
• Electromagnetic Suspension.
• Electrodynamic Suspension.
• Inductrack.

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 Electromagnetic Suspension.
• This suspension uses conventional electromagnets located on
structures attached to the underside of the train.
• These structures wrap around a T-shaped guide rail. This guide rail is
ferromagnetic and has very high magnetic permeability.
• The magnets on the train are attracted towards the ferromagnetic
guide rail when a “current runs through the guide rail and the
electromagnets of the train are turned on”.
• This attraction lifts the car allowing
it to levitate and move with a friction
-less ride. Vehicle levitation of10mm
is analyzed via on board computer
control units that sample and adjust
the magnetic force of a series of
onboard electromagnets as they are
attracted to the guide way. 7
• This small elevation distance and the constant need for monitoring
the Electromagnetic Suspension System is one of its major downfall.
• Guidance coils and sensors are placed on train’s each side to keep it
centered at all points during its ride, including turns. These magnets also
allow the train to tilt, pitch, and roll during turns.
• To keep all distances regulated during the ride, the magnets work
together with sensors to keep the train centered. However, the guidance
magnets and levitation magnets work independently.
• There are several advantages to this system.
• The train interlocks with the guide rail making it impossible to derail.
• Noise is extremely limited with this system because there is no contact
between the train and its track.
• In addition, there aren’t many moving parts, which reduce the noise
and maintenance of the system. With fewer parts, there is less wear
and tear on the system.
• The Maglev train is also able to travel on “steep gradients and tight
curves”. 8
 Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS)
• EDS uses superconducting magnets (SCM) located on the bottom of
the train to levitate it off of the track. The electrical resistance in
superconductors allows current to flow better and creates a greater
magnetic field. . The Japanese Maglev, which is based on an EDS
system, uses a cooling system of liquid nitrogen and helium.
• The first major difference between
EDS and EMS is the type of track.
Whereas with EMS the bottom of
the train hooks around the edges
of the track, an EDS train literally
floats on air.
• The outside guides act like the
cushions used to prevent gutter
balls in bowling only an EDS train
has a magnetic safety net to keep
the train centered.
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• This is one reason why EDS is a much more stable suspension
system. A second reason why the Electrodynamics Suspension
system is more stable is that it is able to carry a much heavier
weight load without having its levitation greatly affected The
repulsive forces between the magnets and coils lift the train,
on average, about 4 to 6 inches above the track, which
virtually eliminates any safety issues regarding the train losing
levitation and hitting its guide way. Levitation coils repel the
SCMs underneath the train, providing the restoring forces to
keep the train aligned.
• To propel the train, the guide way has coils running along the
top and bottom of the SCMs. Induced current within these
coils creates alternating magnetic fields that attract or repel
the SCMs, sending the train in the forward or reverse
direction. Because the trains are moving by magnetic waves
that push and pull it forward, it’s virtually impossible for trains
to collide since they are in essence “riding the same magnetic
waves”. 10
• No engine or other power source is required to keep the train
moving except the initial speed that is required to begin
levitation. Therefore wheels are required to keep the train
moving until about 100 km/hr. (65 mph) where it can then
begin to levitate.
• Finally, the guide way has rails that encompass the outside of
the train. Within these rails are the propulsion coils and
levitation coils needed to keep the train moving and levitating
above the bottom of the track. EDS suspension has several
positive and negative aspects to it. These need no fuels only
electricity. One huge disadvantage of the EDS system is the
great cost and inconvenience of having a cooling system of
liquid nitrogen and helium. to keep the super cooled
superconductive magnets at 5K.
• The wheels would need to have a shock system designed to
compensate for the weight of the car and its passengers as
the train falls to the track. 11
 Inductrack
• This system is being developed by - Dr. Richard Post at the
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The major
difference between the Inductrack and EDS is the use of
permanent magnets rather than superconducting magnets.
• This system uses an “arrangement of powerful permanent
magnets, known as a Halbach array, to create the levitating
force”. The Halbach array uses high field alloy magnetic bars.
These bars are arranged so the magnetic fields of the bars are
at 90º angles to the bars on either side, which causes a high
powered magnetic field below the array.
• The Inductrack and the EDS system both use repulsive forces.
The magnetic field of the Halbach array on the train repels the
magnetic field of the moving Halbach array in the guide way.
• The guide way is made from “two rows of tightly packed
levitation coils”. 12
• The train itself has two Halbach arrays; one above the coils for
levitation and the other for guidance. As with the EMS and
EDS system, the Inductrack uses a linear synchronous motor..
• A major benefit of this track is that even if a power failure
occurs, the train can continue to levitate because of the use of
permanent magnets. As a result, the train is able to slow to a
stop during instances of power failure. Also the train doesn’t
need any power source to levitate. The only power needed is
for the linear synchronous motor & power loss occurs from
aerodynamic drag and electrical resistance in the levitation
circuits only. 13
Although this type of track is looking to be used, it has only
been tested once on a 20-meter track. NASA is working
together with the Inductrack team to build a larger test model
of 100 meters in length. This testing could eventually lead to a
“workable Maglev system for the future”. The Inductrack
system could also be used for the launching of NASA’s space
shuttles.

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 PROPULSION SYSTEM
• Electrodynamics Propulsion is the basis of the movement in a
Maglev system. The basic principle that electromagnetic
propulsion follows is that “opposite poles attract each other
and like poles repel each other”. These three major components
of this propulsion system :
• A large electrical power source
• Metal coils that line the entire guide way
• Guidance magnets used for alignment
• The interaction between the electromagnets and guideway is the
actual motor of the Maglev system. The Maglev’s propulsion
system uses a linear synchronous motor. The Maglev system
works in the same general way the compact motor does, except
it is linear, “meaning it is stretched as far as the track goes”. The
stators of the Maglev system are usually in the guiderails,
whereas the rotors are located within the electromagnetic
system on the train. 15
• The guideway for Maglev systems is made up of magnetized coils,
for both levitation and propulsion, and the stator packs. “An
alternating current is then produced, from the large power source,
and passes through the guideway, creating an electromagnetic field
which travels down the rails”. As defined by the Encarta Online
dictionary, an alternating current is “a current that reverses
direction.” The strength of this current can be made much greater
than the normal strength of a magnet by increasing the number of
winds in the coils. The current in the guideway must be alternating
so the polarity in the magnetized coils can change. The alternating
current allows a pull from the magnetic field in front of the train,
and a push from the magnetic field behind the train. This push and
pull motion work together allowing the train to reach maximum
velocities well over 300 miles per hour.

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 This propulsion is unique in that the current is able to be turned
on and off quickly. Therefore, at one instance there can be a
positive charge running through a section of the track, and
within a second it could have a neutral charge. This is the basic
principle behind slowing the vehicle down and breaking it. The
current through the guiderails is reversed causing the train to
slow, and eventually to competely stop. Additionally, by
reversing the current, the train would go in the reverse direction.
This propulsion system gives the train enough power to
accelerate and decelerate fairly quickly, allowing the train to
easily climb steep hills.
The levitation, guidance, and propulsion of the
electromagnetic suspension system must work together in order
for the Maglev train to move. All of the magnetic forces are
computer controlled to provide a safe and hazard free ride. The
propulsion system works hand in hand with the suspension
system on the Maglev system.
 LATERAL GUIDANCE SYSTEMS
• The Lateral guidance systems control the train’s ability to actually stay on
the track. It stabilized the movement of the train from moving left and
right of the train track by using the system of electromagnets found in the
undercarriage of the Maglev train. The placement of the electromagnets
in conjunction with a computer control system ensures that the train does
not deviate more than 10mm from the actual train tracks.
• The lateral guidance system used in the Japanese electrodynamics
suspension system is able to use one “set of four superconducting
magnets” to control lateral guidance from the magnetic propulsion of the
null flux coils located on the guide ways of the track as shown in Fig.[10].
Coils are used frequently in the design of Maglev trains because the
magnetic fields created are perpendicular to the electric current, thus
making the magnetic fields stronger. The Japanese Lateral Guidance
system also uses a semi-active suspension system. This system dampens
the effect of the side to side vibrations of the train car and allows for more
comfortable train rides. This stable lateral motion caused from the
magnetic propulsion is a joint operation from the acceleration sensor,
control device, to the actual air spring that dampens the lateral motion of
the train car.

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• The lateral guidance system found in the German trans rapid system (EMS)
is similar to the Japanese model. In a combination of attraction and
repulsion, the Maglev train is able to remain centered on the railway. Once
again levitation coils are used to control lateral movement in the German
Maglev suspension system. The levitation coils are connected on both
sides of the guide way and have opposite poles. The opposites poles of the
guide way cause a repulsive force on one side of the train while creating
an attractive force on the other side of the train. The location of the
electromagnets on the Trans rapid system is located in a different side of
the guide ways. To obtain electro magnetic suspension, the Trans rapid
system uses “the attractive forces between iron-core electromagnets and
ferromagnetic rails.” In addition to guidance, these magnets also allow the
train to tilt, pitch, and roll during turns. To keep all distances regulated
during the ride, the magnets work together with sensors to keep the train
centered.

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 ADVANTAGES OF MAGLEV TRAINS

• Collision is impossible as only sections of the track are

activated . The vehicles always travel in synchronization and at
the same speed reducing the chances of a crash.
• 20 times safer than an airplane
• 250 times safer than other conventional railways
• 700 times safer than travel by road

• Has high speed – 300 to 500 km/hr

• Has controlled movements with the help of computers
• Passengers are free to move while the train operates
• Maglev uses 30% less energy than a high-speed train traveling
at the same speed. (1/3 more power for the same energy)
• Vibrations produced are just below human threshold 20
• Has very low specific energy consumptions
• Operating and maintenance costs are very low.

• Magnetic field is very low so there are no adverse

effects

• Minimum amount of land is needed for tracks.

• No Air Pollution as no fuel is used.
• No noise caused by wheel rolling or engine
Maglev noise is lost among general ambient noise
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• Batteries on board automatically are activated
to bring car to next station
• Batteries charged continuously

• Latest non-PVC material used that is non-

combustible and poor transmitter of heat
• Maglev vehicle carries no fuel to increase fire
hazard

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Graphical Comparison of MAGLEV

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 LIMITATIONS OF MAGLEV TRAINS
• Maglev guide paths are bound to be more costly than
conventional steel railways.
• Other main disadvantage is lack with existing infrastructure.
For example if a high speed line between two cities it built,
then high speed trains can serve both cities but more
importantly they can serve other nearby cities by running on
normal railways that branch off the high speed line. The high
speed trains could go for a fast run on the high speed line,
then come off it for the rest of the journey. Maglev trains
wouldn't be able to do that, they would be limited to where
maglev lines run making maglev tracks unviable.
• Of the 5000km that TGV trains serve in France, only about
1200km is high speed line i.e. 75% of TGV services run on
existing track. The fact that a maglev train will not be able to
continue beyond its track may seriously hinder its usefulness 24
Present Day Maglev Trains Operation

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Future Developments of Maglev Tracks

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