MAGLEV TRAINS

submitted by ritu
 WHAT IS MAGLEV?
 MagLev  means Magnetic Levitation
 The suspension of an object above or below a 
second object by means of magnetic 

repulsion or attraction is called magnetic levitation.

One important application of magnetic levitation is MagLev trains

Basic principle of Maglev trains
Maglev trains have to perform the following
functions to operate in high speeds:
1. LAVITATION
2. PROPULSION
3. LATERAL
The two notable types of Maglev
technologies are:
 Electromagnetic suspension(EMS)
 Electrodynamic suspension(EDS) 
 Electromagnetic suspension
 The electromagnetic suspension EMS uses attractive
force system to levitate. The train’s levitation magnet
will be attracted to the conductors on the underside of
the guideway. The attractive force between them will
overcome the gravitational force. This will in turn
levitates the train on the track.
 LEVITATION PRINCIPLE IN EMS:
 Attraction is caused by having currents within each
of the circuits travelling in the same direction. This
attraction will levitate the train.

 PRINCIPLE OF PROPULSION:
 LINEAR ELECTRIC MOTOR(LEM)
 LINEAR INDUCTION MOTOR(LIM)

 PRINCIPLE OF LATERAL GUIDENCE:

 there is a guidance magnet on the side of the track that
generates the magnetic force that prevents the train from
moving side to side. It also designed as the C-form to keep
the train in the bounce.
Electromagnetic suspension
 PROS AND CONS:
 PROS:
 Magnetic fields inside and outside the vehicle are less than EDS
 high speeds (500 km/h or 310 mph)
 no wheels or secondary propulsion system needed.
 CONS:
 The system needs to be monitored by outside system to maintain
the distance between the track and the train.
 The vibrations may occur due to instability and outside
monitoring.
 Electrodynamic suspension
It uses magnets that has same polarity (refer to
figure above) to create repulsive force between
levitation magnet and guideway magnet. This
repulsive force then will be high enough to
overcome gravitational force and allows it to
levitate.
 LEVITATION PRINCIPLE IN EDS
 The current in the top circuit will travel in the opposite
direction of the current in bottom resulting in the
repulsion between the two coils. This repulsion will levitate
the train.
 PRINCIPLE OF PROPULSION
 The propulsion coils located on the sidewalls on both
sides of the guideway are energized by a three phase
alternating current from a substation,creating a shifting
magnetic field on the guideway.
 PRINCIPLE OF LATERAL GUIDENCE
 When one side of the train nears the side of guideway the
superconducting magnet on the train induces a repulsive force
from the levitation coils on the side closer to the train and an
attractive forces from the coils on the farther side.
 This keeps the train in the centre
Electrodynamic suspension
PROS AND CONS:
 PROS:
 High speeds (500 km/h or 310 mph)
 no wheels or secondary propulsion system needed.
 CONS:
 Necessary use of magneting shielding due to strong Magnetic
fields
 The cryogenic system uses to cool the coils can be expensive
Inductrack
 The inductrack is a newer type of EDS that uses permanent
room-temperature magnets to produce the magnetic fields
instead of powered electromagnets or cooled
superconducting magnets.
 Inductrack 1 for fast speed
 Inductrack 2 for slow speed
 Advantages of MagLev trains:
 A MagLev is way faster than your usual bullet train. MagLevs
can reach speeds up to 500 kilometers per hour.
 Due to its lack of wheels, MagLevs are quieter than normal
trains, or sometimes even traffic.
 MagLevs use 30% less energy than normal trains.
 In theory, a MagLev and its track would require very little
maintenance; since the train never touches the track there is
virtually no wear and tear.
 All the systems of these Maglev automated machines do not
requires any control station because they are controlled with
the help of computers.
Disadvantages:
 The MagLev's track is much more expensive than
railroad tracks.
 Whole new sets of tracks would have to be built for
the MagLev to run. Many transportation vechicles in
Europe run on existing track.
 Although MagLevs are pretty quiet, noise caused by
air disturbance still occurs.