The Principle of Work of Maglev Train - Coursework Example

Running head: HOW THE MAGLEV TRAIN WORKS How Do Maglev Train Work? Presented by Name Presented to Lecturer Institution Topic 27th November 2011 Table of Contents page 1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………...3 2.0 History o Maglev Train………………………………………………………………..4 3.0 The Maglev Track……………………………………………………………………..5 4.0 Maglev Technology…………………………………………………………………...5 4.1 Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS)…………………………………………..6 4.2 Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS)…………………………………………...6 5.0 Use of Maglev Train…………………………………………………………………..7 6.0 Propulsion……………………………………………………………………………..7 7.0 Summary………………………………………………………………………………7 8.0 References………………………………………………………………………….....8 1.0 Introduction Various efforts have been made by different countries to make transportation of people and goods cheaper and fast. One of the greatest achievements in the transportations sector in the 20th century was the invention of the airplane that revolutionised the manner in which people and goods were transported from one region to the other at great distance and within a short period. Air transport has made it possible even today to transport perishable goods from one continent to the other without compromising on the quality of the goods transported (Gharabegian, 2000). In the 21st century, a new form of transportation called the Maglev Train has emerged that could see the transportation industry revolutionised further. The purpose of this report is to explain how the Maglev train works. In doing this, the report will seek to explore a number of factors such as the history of the maglev train, the elements that form the Maglev Track, maglev technology and the use of Maglev technology. 2.0 History of Maglev Train The word Maglev is derived from the term magnetic levitation. This is a form of transportation system in which magnetic levitation is used to propel, guide and suspend vehicles by using magnets rather than the use of conventional mechanical methods such as bearings and axles as well as use of wheels that rely on friction (Gharabegian, 2000). Through thrust and lift, the Maglev transportation system uses magnets to fly objects or vehicles along the guideway. Maglev vehicles move at high speed and they move quietly and smoothly by being lifted from the guideway (Gharabegian, 2000). This makes the Maglev train comfortable regardless of the speed with which they are propelled. Since, the maglev train does not rely on friction; its deceleration and acceleration surpass that or conventional vehicles. The history of the Maglev train can be traced back to 1907 when the first patent for high-speed transportation invention was granted to a German, Alfred Zehden. In the same year, Smith, S. F. invented another form of electromagnetic propelled transportation system. (Gharabegian, 2000 A series of linear motors using magnetic levitation were invented in German by different engineers such as Kemper Herman between 1938 and 1942. The modern day Maglev train were developed in Japan between 1969 and 1974 by companies such as Japan railways Group and Japan Airlines. More countries such as the United States, German, and Canada (to mention a few) have adopted this form of transport due to its convenience and comfortability. 3.0 The Maglev Track The Maglev track is also called a guideway. It comprises of a magnetized coil that runs along the guideway (Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). The purpose of the magnetized coil that runs along the guideway is to provide a repulsive force to the magnets situated at the undercarriage of the train. This allows for the levitation of the train above the guideway between 0.40 and 0.41 inches. Once the levitation of the train occurs, the supply of power occurs within the walls of the guideway to create magnetic field systems that push and pull the train along the track (guideway) (Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). (Gharabegian, 2000 Polarity of magnetized coil in the walls of the track changes through the alternation of the electric current that passes along the magnetized coils. The continuous process of polarity change results into the forward movement of the maglev train along the maglev track because the magnetic field created in the track pulls the train forward(Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). Similarly, the maglev train experiences a forward thrust from the magnetic field behind the train. Hence, the design and the application of magnetic technology is the basic concept used to move the maglev train along the guideway. 4.0 Maglev Technology The types of technology used to make the maglev train can be grouped into two. They include the electromagnetic suspension (EMS) technology and the electrodynamic suspension (EDS) (Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). (Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). 4.1 Electromagnetic suspension The electromagnetic suspension system is made up of arms that are C-shaped. The maglev rail is positioned between the lower and the upper arms. The maglev vehicle is attached to the upper arm of the electromagnetic suspension system while the lower arm carries the magnets. Any small change in the distance between the rail and the magnets situated in the lower arm produces a significant force that propels the train from one position to the other (Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). The three important components found in the maglev track that makes it possible for electromagnetic suspension to occur include the presence of metal coils along the track or guideway, large magnets positioned on the train’s underside and the power source that supplies electrical current (Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). Unlike the electrodynamic Maglev transportation systems, the electromagnetic suspension system enables the train to move at a very high speed, more than 500km/h, making the Maglev train a fast and convenient mode of transport for long distances (Shen, Meisinger and Shu, 2007). 4.2 Electrodynamic suspension Electrodynamic suspension is another model within which the maglev train works. In this model, both the train and the rail track produce a magnetic field (Moon, 2004). The movement of the train is therefore caused by the repulsive forces that occur produced by the magnetic fields produced by the train and the rail (Moon, 2004). This makes the electrodynamic suspended trains stable than the electromagnetic system. The reason for this is that the magnets are repelled back to their position by the strong forces created through the narrow distance between the magnets and the track. 5.0 Use of Maglev train Even though the history of the maglev train can be trace back to 1907, it is imperative to note that the first maglev train to be used commercially was in 2002 in China. The Transrapid line used as the guideway is used between Pudong airport and Longyang Road (Moon, 2004). The maglev train runs at a speed of more than 400km/hr. The first rail line to be used by the maglev train between Shanghai and Hangzhou was completed in 2010 and it runs a distance of 160km or 99 miles between the two cities. 6.0 Propulsion In terms of propulsion it is important to note that maglev train that uses the electromagnetic system uses the onboard magnets to produce the forward movement of the train (Moon, 2004). This is different from the maglev train that uses the electrodynamic system which uses the linear motors positioned onboard the train. Energy or power is used to move the train forward. This energy or power is regained during regenerative breaking that causes the train to stop. Power used in the guideway serves the purpose of stabilising the train when in motion as well as producing levitations of the train (Moon, 2004). Energy is particularly used to enable the train to overcome air resistance. Power is also used for lighting, heating and producing air conditioning for the passengers in the train. 7.0 Summary The purpose of this report was to investigate how the maglev train works. To achieve this purpose, the history and development of the maglev train has been provided. Other important elements that have been explored in the report that explain how the maglev train works include the composition of the maglev track, the maglev technology such as the use of electromagnetic systems (EMS) and the electrodynamic system (EDS). China, being one of the countries where the application of maglev technology has largely been used has also been explored particularly the specific parts of the country where the use of the maglev train occur. The propulsion of the maglev train has also been explained with main focus being the use of the magnets and power/energy that produces the needed magnetic force to propel the maglev train forward. The achievement of maglev train stability has also been explained in this report. 8.0 References Gharabegian, A. (2000). “Maglev- A super fast train” The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 108 (5): 2527. Moon, F. (2004). Superconducting Levitation Applications to Bearings and Magnetic Transportation. Wiley-VCH. Shen, G, Meisinger, R, and Shu, G., (2007). Modelling of a High-Speed Maglev Train with Vertical and Lateral Control. Vehicle System Dynamics, Volume 46, Supplement, p 643-651. Taylor & Francis Group. Read More