Magnetic

levitation
(Maglev)
By Akshay Mishra

What is maglev ?
Magnetic levitation, maglev,
or magnetic suspension is a method by
which an object is suspended with no support
other than magnetic fields.

Requirement of maglev
1. Slow Transportation
2. Waste of fuel
3. Waste of Energy by Friction

development of maglev
First Maglev : Germany ( 1971)
96 KMPH
Fastest Maglev : Japan (2015)
603 KMPH

Maglev technology
1. Electromagnetic suspension (EMS)
2. Electrodynamic suspension (EDS)

Electromagnetic
suspension
It uses the attractive
magnetic force of a
magnet beneath the
rail to lift the train up.

 In EMS two different types of magnets are

used.
1. Iron core electromagnet placed on the side
of undercarriage
2. Ferromagnetic rails

 Train is levitated by attraction generated

between the undercarriage and rails magnets .
The train is propelled by the support brackets
on the carriage which provides an alternating
current that works to create a series of
attracting and repulsing poles resulting in
forward movement.

Electrodynamic
suspension
It uses the repulsive
force between two
magnetic fields to
push the train away
from rail.

 EDS uses the superconducting material at

very low temperature of levitate the train .
Superconductors are placed on the side of
train carriage and interacts with alternating
current coils on the side of guideways.

 When the coil experience the change in magnetic

field of superconducting material as train moves ,
they tries to oppose the change in magnet field.
Below coil induces the magnetic field that opposes
the superconducting poles and the one above
induces a field which attracts the superconducting
poles.
These two actions together levitates the train.

 Propulsion is achieved by a linear

synchronous motor consisting of addition
coils in guideway that provide a 3 phase
alternating current.
The magnetic field created by superconductor
interacts with this magnetic field to propel it
forward.

Countries with Active Maglev trains

1. China
2. Japan
3. South Korea
4. Germany

Countries with proposed maglevs

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Australia
U.S.A.
India
Italy
United Kingdom
Malaysia
Hong Kong

Problems with maglev

1. Installation cost is very high because a
completely different track will be required to
run the maglev train.
2. Change in magnetic field can cause problems
to passengers in rare cases.

References

1. YangLG. Development and application of maglev

transportation system. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
2008;18(2):10-23
2. W. Jun,Z Wenwu. Research on speed and position detection
of maglev. Journel of Nation university of defense
technology 33(2011)394-404
3. Sinha pk. Electromagnetic suspension-Dynamics control.
IEE1987
4. Rote DM. Stability of repulsive force maglev train
system.IEEE Trans Magn 2002;38(2)
5. Wikipidia