MAGNETIC LEVITATION

Levitation
 Levitation is the process by which an object is held aloft, without
mechanical support, in a stable position.

 Levitation is accomplished by providing an upward force that

counteracts the pull of gravity (in relation to gravity on earth), plus a
smaller stabilizing force that pushes the object toward a home position
whenever it is a small distance away from that home position.
 The force can be a fundamental force such as magnetic or electrostatic,
or it can be a reactive force such as optical, buoyant, aerodynamic, or
hydrodynamic.
Types of levitation
 Magnetic levitation
 Electrostatic levitation
 Aerodynamic levitation
 Gas film levitation
 Acoustic levitation
 Optical levitation
 Buoyant levitation
 Other ways to levitate an object
 Direct diamagnetic levitation
 Superconductors
 Dia-magnetically-stabilized levitation
 Rotational stabilization
 Servo stabilization
 Rotating conductors beneath magnets
 High-frequency oscillating
electromagnetic fields
 Translational Halbach arrays and
Inductrack
Magnetic levitation
 Magnetic levitation is the process of levitating an
object by exploiting magnetic fields. In other words,
it is overcoming the gravitational force on an object
by applying a counteracting magnetic field. Either
the magnetic force of repulsion or attraction can be
used.
 In the case of magnetic attraction, the experiment is
known as magnetic suspension. Using magnetic
repulsion, it becomes magnetic levitation.
Levitation using superconductors
Meissner effect in superconductors
 The Meissner effect (or Meissner–Ochsenfeld effect) is the
expulsion of a magnetic field from a superconductor during its
transition to the superconducting state.
Meissner effect in superconductors
History of Maglev
 Concept of magnetically levitated trains was first identified in early 1900s.
 1934-Germany received a patent for magnetic levitation of trains.
 1966-USA propose the first practical system for magnetically levitated
trains.
 1971-FMC and SRI were awarded for analytical and experimental
development of EMSand EDL.
 1975-Federal funding for high-speed maglev research in USA was
suspended.
 1991-inclusion of 300-km long super speed maglev system route in
Germany.
 1996-Yamanashi Maglev TestLine opened in Japan.
 1997-Running test of MLX01 started in YMTL.
 2000-Prince and Princess of Japan experienced maglev trial ride.
 2001-Construction of Shanghai Transrapid Maglev.
Maglev trains
 The maglev trains operates basically on three functions.

Levitation
Guidance
Propulsion

 In most of the current designs, magnetic Forces are used to

perform all three functions, although a nonmagnetic
source of propulsion could be used.
Levitation
 It is important for the train to be able to stay suspended above
the guideway so that Maglev can be operated.

 Based on the nature of the magnetic levitation system

employed, there are two technologies empowering today’s
Maglev trains.

Electro Magnetic Suspension (EMS)

Electro Dynamic Levitation (EDL)
Electro Magnetic Suspension (EMS)
 It is attraction type of
system.
 Magnet- guideway geometry
is used to attract a direct-
current electromagnet
towards the track.
 EMS levitates the train about
one-third of an inch above
the guideway.
 Maglev train (Transrapid) in
Germany works on EMS.
Electro Magnetic Suspension
 This system is arranged on a series of C-shaped arms. Upper
part of the arm is attached to the vehicle (the train) and lower
inside edge of the arm contains the electromagnet coil. The
guideways is placed inside the arm with another electromagnet
coil is attached at the bottom of it. The two coils with opposite
poles are facing each other and create an attractive force as
shown in figure above. Then, the attractive force causes the train
to be pushed upward and thus, levitate.
 However, the magnetic attraction varies inversely with cube of
distance. It means a slight distance changes between the train
and the guideway, will produce a significantly varying force. So,
a feedback system is created to maintain the optimum distance
(approximately 15mm or 0.59in) between the train and the
guideway.
Electro Magnetic Suspension
Electro Magnetic Suspension
Electro Magnetic Suspension
 To prevent the object from immediately attaching itself to the
electromagnet, the object’s position has to be sensed and the
error in air gap information is fed back into the control circuit
regulating the current in the electromagnet. This produces the
basic feedback arrangement depicted below.
 Electro Magnetic Suspension

Advantages
 Low magnetic fields inside
and outside the vehicle.
 Commercially available.
 No secondary propulsion
system needed. Disadvantages
 The system needs to be
monitored by outside system to
maintain the distance between
the Track and the train.
 Vibraitions may occur due to
instability and outside
monitoring.
Electro Dynamic Levitation (EDL)
 It is repulsion type of system.
 Based on the induction of Eddy
currents in conducting materials.
 Eddy currents are generated by
superconducting coil operating in
persistent current mode.
 Eddy currents create a magnetic
field and opposes the magnetic
field created by traveling coil by
Lenz’s law.
 This interaction produces a
repulsive force on the moving coil,
thus uplifting the vehicle.
 EDL levitates the train about 4
inches (10 cm) above the
guideway.
 The Japanese JR- Maglev MLX01
works on EDL.
Electro Dynamic Levitation (EDL)

 In this system, both the train and the guideway exert

magnetic fields. The train is levitated by repulsive and
attractive forces between these magnetic fields.
 These magnetic fields are created by superconducting
magnets that are attached to the train and the guideway.
Looking at figure above, the repulsive and attractive force is
created by the induced magnetic field in the conducting coils
in the system.
 Nonetheless, at slower speed (below 30 km/h or 19 mph),
current induced in this coils and resultant magnetic flux are
not large enough to levitate the train.
 So, wheels or other form of landing gears are installed to
support the train until it reaches the take-off speed.
Levitation in EDL
 The "8" figured levitation coils are installed on the
sidewalls of the guide way. When the on-board
superconducting magnets pass at a high speed about
several centimetres below the centre of these coils, an
electric current is induced within the coils, which then acts as
electromagnet temporarily.
 As a result, there are forces which push the
superconducting magnet upwards, thereby levitating the
Maglev vehicle.
 The train does not levitate until it reaches 50 mph, so it is
equipped with retractable wheels.
Levitation in EDL
Guidance

 Guidance is important to keep the train to be centred

over the guideway and prevent lateral displacement.

 Guidance system generally uses repulsive magnetic

force to achieve the position intended. However,
different levitation system has a different guidance.
Guidance in EMS
 In this system, two electromagnetic coils are placed
on the train, facing the sides of the guideways as
shown in below. Repulsive magnetic force from both
sides of the train keep the vehicle laterally on the
guideway. Gap sensors are installed to detect
changes in gap width so the current supplied to the
guideway can be adjusted accordingly, allowing the
train to shift back to the center.
Guidance in EMS
Guidance in EMS
Guidance in EDL
 In this system, guidance is coupled in the levitation system.
Looking at figure below, propulsion coils are set on the left and
right side of the guideway. When the train runs in the center of
the guideway, induced electromotive force (EMF) cancel each
other out. Through this connection, if the train moves closer to
either side of the guideway, circulating current between these
two coils is induced; as result, it creates a force that will push the
train back to the center.
Guidance in EDL
 The levitation coils facing each other are connected under the
guide way, constituting a loop. When a running Maglev vehicle,
that is a super conducting magnet, displaces laterally, an
electric current is induced in the loop, resulting in a repulsive
force acting on the levitation coils of the side near the car and
attractive force acting on the levitation coils of the side farther
apart from the car. Thus, a running car is always located at the
center of the guide way.
Guidance in EDL
Guidance in EDL
EMS& EDL
Propulsion
 In order for the train to move, a force that drives it forward
is needed. Generally, a Maglev train does not have an
engine. It uses electric linear motor to achieved propulsion. A
normal motor will have a stator and a rotor. A stator is used
to generate rotating magnetic field that induced rotating
force on a rotor. As a result, the rotor will rotate.
 Likewise, linear motor is like an unrolled version of the normal
motor as shown in figure below. In this motor, instead of
having a rotating magnetic field, the stator creates the
magnetic field across its length. Therefore, the rotor will
experience a linear force that is pulled across the stator
making the rotor moves forward in straight line.
Propulsion using linear motor
Propulsion
 The concept is applied to the Maglev train. In this case, the train
is the rotor and the guideway is the stator. As long as the
guideway is induced with magnetic field, the train will move
along its track. This system is called Linear Induction Motor
(LIM).
 However, this system causes the train to be lag behind the
guideway’s moving field and results in speed and energy
losses. So, a new system called Linear SynchronousMotor (LSM) is
introduced. The lag is removed by attaching a permanent
magnet to the train to create its own static magnetic field. With
addition of the magnet, the train travel in synchronize with the
moving field.
 For a long run in traction, LIM is preferred and for short run,
LSMis preferred.
 The Inductrack
• Improved version of the EDS
• Arrays of permanent magnets
called HALBACHARAYSare
used instead of SUPER
CONDUCTING COILS

• Does not require feedback

system
• Does not require cooling
• Lessexpensive than the EDS
and the EMSsystems.
• It’s only in the trial stage
Internal structure of maglev
 Advantages of Maglev
 1) The foremost advantage of maglev trains is the fact that it doesn't have moving parts as conventional
trains do, and therefore, the wear and tear of parts is minimal, and that reduces the maintenance cost by a
significant extent.
 2) More importantly, there is no physical contact between the train and track, so there is no rolling
resistance. While electromagnetic drag and air friction do exist, that doesn't hinder their ability to clock a
speed in excess of 200 mph.
 3) Absence of wheels also comes as a boon, as you don't have to deal with deafening noise that is likely to
come with them.
 4) Maglevs also boast of being environment friendly, as they don't resort to internal combustion engines.
 5)These trains are weather proof, which means rain, snow, or severe cold don't really hamper their
performance.
 6)Maglev systems are energy efficient. For long distance travel they use about half the energy per
passenger as a typical commercial aircraft.
 7) Experts are of the opinion that these trains are a lot safe than their conventional counterparts as they
are equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems, which can keep things in control even when the train is
cruising at a high speed.
 Maglev vehicle carries no fuel to increase fire hazard
 The materials used to construct maglev vehicles are non-combustible, poor penetration transmitters of
heat, and able to withstand fire.
Disadvantages of maglev
 1)Cost High cost incurred on the initial setup. As the present railway
infrastructure is of no use for maglevs, it will either have to be
replaced with the Maglev System or an entirely new set up will have
to be created―both of which will cost a decent amount in terms of
initial investment. Even though inexpensive as compared to EDS, it is
still expensive compared to other modes.
 2)Impact Although the tracks could be elevated, there would still be
the addition of guideways crossing great amounts of land.
 3)Energy Consumption Larger train cars are tougher to levitate and
require quite a bit more energy, making them less efficient.
 4)SafetyWhile the MagLev can be safer overall, any infrequent
accidents that do occur are likely to be more catastrophic due to the
elevated guideways and incredible speeds.
 5)Noise Although MagLevs are pretty quiet, noise caused by air
disturbance still occurs
Applications of Magnetic levitation
 Maglev trains
 Wind turbines
 Maglev space propulsion
 Maglev bearings
 Defense applications (e.g., rocket launching)
 Mining industries
 Toysand consumer electronics
 Weapons (e.g., machine guns etc.,)
 Household fixtures and decorations