Posted on January 17, 2009 - by Richard

Maglev Train Concept…Is this for you?

Maglev train concept begins from the word magnetic levitation which means it is power driven and propelled by magnetic motors. In today’s transit needs, a sophisticated way of harnessing the magnetic force to achieve a vehicle floating in magnetic rails which allows the train to travel without any metal to metal contact underneath it. To make it work, 2 sets of magnetic force located in the train vehicle (permanent magnet) and the other magnetic linear motor located in the the magnetic frame rail.

Maglev train concept control:

Maglev train control is achieved by using computerized system that allows these 2 sets of magnets to interract with each other. Current is build up in the magnetic stator in the rails which then interact with the permanent magnet in the train vehicle using a continuous magnetic field. This interaction creates thrust which makes the train moves ahead. The same magnetic field is used for braking to stop the train vehicle. This magnetic control thus create a reliable acceleration and controlled braking in all kinds of weather. A frame is then use underneath to guide it magnetically which means there is metal contact between the vehicle and the magnetic rails.

Maglev train concept design principle:

there are propulsion coils on the guide way of the rail track frame used to exert a force on the magnets in the vehicle train and make the train move ahead. The propulsion coils that creates this magnetic force on the train are actually a linear motor: it is like having an alternating current flowing through the coils which generates a continuously varying magnetic field that moves forward along the track. The frequency of the alternating current is synchronized to match the speed of the train. The difference between the magnetic field exerted by opposing magnets in the vehicle train and the applied field create a magnetic force that propels the train to thrust forward.

Maglev train concept suspension:

One way to provide Maglev train to have stability is to use a set of coils along the bottom of the magnet array on the vehicle train, which allows it to center the vehicle in the magnetic field at all times. Since these magnetic coils are not needed to provide lift and there is almost no lift resistance, this system utilized almost no current especially when the vehicle is centered over the rails. As the vehicle train revolves around a curve, the vehicle main controller moves the vehicle to a “balance point” inside the curve so that the magnetic pull of the magnetic rails in the ground offset the vehicle’s moving kinetic force. This balance point is calculated based on the train’s weight and load which results in stabilized rate of power consumption. Overall, Maglev train consumed less energy when compared to steel wheels conventional trains.

Thanks for reading!

Richard