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The current practical mode of transport between two places are:
1. Road (inexpensive, slow, usually not environmentally
sound)
2. Air (expensive, fast, not environmentally sound)
3. Rail (expensive, slow, often environmentally sound)
Hyperloop
Avoids the negative effects of each mode of transport. It is:
1. Ready when the passenger is ready to travel (road)
2. Inexpensive (road)
3. Fast (air)
4. Environmentally sound (rail/road via electric cars)
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Hyperloop consists of low pressure tubes with capsules that are transported at low and
high speed throughout the length of the tube.
The idea of transporting through pneumatic tube is 200 years old.
In 1812, British mechanical Eng. George Medhurst first proposed blowing passengers
carriages through tubes but never implemented.
Currently the reformed and innovated version of that idea of transportation is proposed
by entrepreneur Elon Musk - CEO of Tesla Motors and SpaceX in the form of
Hyperloop.
What is Hyperloop?
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Hyperloop Transportation system
Consists of several components which can be classified into-
1) Capsule
2) Tube
3) Propulsion
4) Route
@hyperloopone.com
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Position of several components in proposed geometry
of capsule-
@teslamotors.com/Hyperloop _Alpha
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Axial compressor is used.
It avoids the Kantrowitz limit.
Air is compressed with pressure ratio of 20:1.
Some air is stored for air bearing.
An onboard water tank is used for the cooling of the air.
Figure:- Streamline for
capsule travelling at high
subsonic velocities inside
Hyperloop
Compressor:-
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Suspension-
Figure- Schematic of air bearing ski that support the capsule
1. Thrust bearing offers stability and extremely lo drag.
2. Compressor pressurized air and aerodynamic lift provide better lift to
capsule (0.5-1.3mm)
3. Independent mechanical suspension are provide for smooth ride of
passengers
@teslamotors.com
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Hyperloop capsule specifications:-
Hyperloop passenger
capsule
Hyperloop passenger +
vehicle capsule
Overall structure weight 3100kg 3500kg
Overall cost of structure $245,000 $275,000
Overall interior weight 2500kg 2700kg
Overall cost of interior
components
$255,000 $185,000
Maximum width 1.35m 1.35m
Maximum height 1.10m 1.10m
Frontal area 1.5 sq. m 4.0 sq. m
Aerodynamic power
requirement at 700mph
Around 100kW Around 382kW
@teslamotors.com/Hyperloop _Alpha
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Hyperloop passenger
capsule
Hyperloop passenger
+ vehicle capsule
Suspension system
Air bearing system weight 2800kg 3800kg
Overall cost of bearing
system component
$475,000 $565,000
Total drag generated by 28
bearings at capsule speed
of 760mph
140N 187N
Power loss due to drag 48kW 63kW
Length 1.5m 1.5m
Width 0.9m 1.2m
Flow rate required beneath
the ski
0.2kg/sec at 9.4kPa 0.2kg/s at 11.2kPa
Suspension System:-
@teslamotors.com/Hyperloop _Alpha
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Tubes-
Are made of the steel.
The pressure inside it will be 100Pa( equivalent to flying above
150,000 feet altitude)
Pylons are placed every 30m apart to support the tube.
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Hyperloop passenger
version
Hyperloop passenger
+ vehicle version
Inner diameter of the
tube
2.23m 3.30m
Tube cross sectional
area
3.91sq.m 8.85sq.m
Capsule/tube area ratio 0.36 0.47
Capsule/tube diameter
ratio
0.60 0.68
Possible wideness of
tube tracks
4.25m 6.60m
Expected max. solar
energy produced
285MW 446MW
Tube specifications:-
@teslamotors.com/Hyperloop _Alpha
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Propulsion system-
Uses a linear induction motor to accelerate and decelerate the capsule
Benefits over permanent magnet motor-
1. Lower material cost
2. Lighter capsule
3. Smaller capsule dimensions
Made of Al
Figure:- Rotor and stator 3D diagram
@teslamotors.com/Hyperloop _Alpha
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Lateral force exerted by the stator on the rotor- 13N
Each accelerator has two 70 MWA inverters: one to accelerate the outgoing
capsule and one to capture the energy from the incoming capsule
Semiconductor switches allow inverters to energize only section of
track occupied by capsule
Gap between rotor and stator is 20mm on each side.
A combination of capsule control system and electromagnetic center forces
allows the capsule to safely enter, stay within and exit such a precise gap.
Stator is mounted to bottom od the tube.
Two halves of stator require bracing to resist magnetic force of 300N/m that
try to bring them together
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Total cost of both types of Hyperloop transportation versions:-
Cost is calculated for the route between Los Angeles and San Francisco which are
560km apart.
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Figure:- Energy cost per
passenger for a journey
between Los Angeles and
San Francisco for various
modes of transport.
Energy cost comparison between various modes of
transportation
@teslamotors.com/Hyperloop _Alpha
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Current scenario:-
Prototype of this system is in its developing state.
The first test of prototype had been performed at Nevada in USA on
11May, 2016.
It was open air test that is without tubes.
The length of the track was 0.5mile.
Maximum speed of prototype was only 116mph.
Prototype achieved its max. speed in 2sec.
Prototype is expected to be completed at the end of year 2016.
Working model of it is expected to be prepared till 2020.
@techinsider.com
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Expected problems: -
Small space
No space for washroom in current design
Involves a lot of risk of money
Might be frightening experience to travel by it
Can not enjoy nature’s view
Fast acceleration and noisy vibration
