Maglev
Senior Design Group 2
This project is an attempt to replicate the maglev transportation system that has been researched since the 1950’s with the advent of the first, working, full size linear induction motor developed by Dr. Eric Laithwaite. The idea of a transportation system relying solely on magnetic fields has been theorized since before the creation of the linear motor, however, only recently has the world seen actual maglev transportation systems for commercial use. The systems currently in use are located in Shanghai, China and Aishi, Japan. There are currently 3 different types of maglev rail technology. These are Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS), Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS), and “Inductrack” (Permanent magnetic suspension). EMS uses electromagnets whose magnetic field is monitored and altered via a feedback loop. EDS uses on board superconducting magnets that are super cooled in tandem with magnets built into the track. The “Inductrack” technology uses a permanent magnet array to keep the train levitated while passive coils in the track provide the linear motion when the permanent array passes above the coils. The permanent magnet array in the Inductrack is a Halbach array which is used to direct the magnetic field in a general direction by canceling out unwanted fields. Inductrack is more suited towards lower speed operations but is the most reliable of the three types of maglev technologies. Our maglev rail features a modified version of both the Inductrack and Electromagnetic Suspension designs. The vehicle is propelled by a 3-phase linear motor system mounted on top of the vehicle, which is also equipped with permanent magnets that react with the track to create levitation.