The trains that are ridden above highly engineered rails and carefully embedded with magnets, strong enough to hold the train and the passengers. In view of growing transportation, its energy requirements and its impacts on the global environment, maglev technology has emerged as a sustainable, faster and clean and alternative amongst the various levitation, guidance and propulsion technologies. Magnetic levitation is a highly advanced technology. The common point in all applications is the lack of contact and thus no wear and friction.

1. A
Seminar on
“Levitating Rails”
K.L.E Society’s
K.L.E. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, HUBBALLI-30
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
2019-2020
Presented by:
Miss. Sanjana V.Vakkund
Under Guidance of
Prof. Manjunath B.R.

2. Contents
• Introduction
• Functional Principles
• Acceleration of Levitating Rail
• Levitation System
• Propulsion System
• Linear Induction Motor
• Linear Synchronous Motor
• Advantages
• Applications
• Conclusion
• References
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 2

3. Introduction
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 3
 Robert H. Goddard said trains can be made to run on Jacks without wheels
using electromagnetism.
 By manipulating magnetic fields and controlling their forces an object can be
levitated.
 Levitation rail is relatively a new transportation technology in which non-
contacting vehicles travel safely at speeds of 250 to 300mph.
 A maglev is a train, which is suspended in air above the track and propelled
forward using magnetism. Because of the lack of physical contact between the
track and vehicle.
Cube magnet levitating over a superconducting material
Fig . 1
3-D model of magnetic field lines levitating a vehicle
Fig. 2

4. Functional Principles
Maglev trains have to perform the following functions to
operate in high speeds
1. Levitation
2. Propulsion
3. Guidance
4Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi
The three primary functions basic to maglev
Fig. 3

5. How a Levitating Rail is accelerated?
5Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi
The guide way track
Fig. 5
Blue indicating the North pole
Red indicating the South pole
 When a running maglev vehicle 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
 A 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 guideway.
Acceleration of a vehicle
Fig. 4

6. Levitation System
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 6
On the basis of levitation principle. There are two principle means namely,
1. Electro Magnetic Suspension - Attraction
2. Electro Dynamic Suspension - Repulsion
Electro Dynamic Type of suspension
Fig.7
Electro Magnetic Type of suspension
Fig.6

7. EMS EDS
The German Trans-Rapid TR08
demonstration train and 30 kilometer
test track, with operating speeds up to
450 km/hr.
7Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi
The Japanese Yamanashi
demonstration train, with speeds
of 500 km/hr on a 18 kilometer
test track.
EMS System
Fig. 8
EDS System
Fig. 9

8. Propulsion System
There are two alternatives for propulsions:
 Non- magnetic energy source: Gas turbine or turboprop can be used for
propulsion resulting in a heavy and reduced operating efficiency.
 Magnetic energy source: Propulsion using an electrically powered LIM
(Linear Induction Motor) or LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) winding in
the guideway for high speed maglev systems while providing greater
operating efficiency.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 8
Stator propulsion along with waveform
Fig. 10

9. Linear Induction Motor
 Linear induction motor is a single sided structure that generates a non-
uniform normal force, side force, and rotational moments on the LIM. The
large air gap between the on-board stator and guideway rail results in a
high leakage flux.
 LIM’s have conventionally been used by placing electromagnets inside the
train portion of the system. The LIM comprises a stator containing
excitation windings and a translator composed of a metal conduction sheet
laid over a ferromagnetic layer.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 9
Propulsion/levitation modules for LIM
Fig. 11
(a)
(b)

10.  The on-board power converter conditions the input DC or AC power from the
power feeder to the appropriate variable-voltage, variable-frequency, multi-
phase power needed for LIM operation. The converter also contains input and
output filters.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 10
Block diagram of the power circuit for LIM
Fig. 12

11. Linear Synchronous Motor
 LSM generate propulsive force by running current through a stator, which
creates an electromagnets field. This electromagnetic field interacts with a
set of permanent magnets on a vehicle to create thrust.
 The permanent magnets serve as the motor secondary, equivalent to a rotor
in conventional motors enabling linear motion.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 11
(a)
(b)
Propulsion/levitation modules for LSM
Fig. 13

12.  An increased number of converter stations will be required near train
terminals and intermediate stations. Operational voltage of the converter is
limited by the maximum voltage level capability of transmission cables,
section switches and stator windings to prevent arcing and electrical
breakdown.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 12
Block diagram of the power circuit for LSM
Fig. 15
Long stator Propulsion Switching
Fig. 14

13. Parameters LIM LSM
Pole Pitch (mm) 192.6 298
Airgap (mm) 10-15 10-20
Nominal Speed (km/h) 200 400
Maximum Speed (km/h) 300 550
Thrust (kN) 1.6-2.5 1.44
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 13
Feature LIM LSM
Efficiency 3 4
Reliability 4 3.5
Fault tolerance 4 4
Cost 3 4
Copper loss 4 4
Position control 5 3.5
Controllability 5 4
Robustness 5 4
Speed range 4 5
Life span 5 4
Overload capability 4 4.5
Table 1. Technical comparison between LIM and LSM
Table 2. Characteristic analysis between LIM and LSM
Based on the desirable characteristics for
maglev propulsion systems Table 2 gives
the comparative analysis of different
linear motors used. The suitability of a
particular motor is rated on the scale of
1–5 for a particular characteristic. This
comparison is based on the existing
literature.

14. Advantages
Parameters On-wheel System MAGLEV System
Levitation No levitation Levitating coils
Propulsion Rotary motors Linear motor
Forward motion Rail and Wheel adhesion Linear motor
Braking Various braking circuits Linear motor
Guidance Rail and wheel Guidance coils
Vibration and Noise More due to rail-wheel contact Less, as no mechanical
contacts
Maintenance Frequent replacements of parts Less frequent replacements
Safety Derails from minor defects No possible derailment
Specific Energy
Consumption
48.5 - 59 45 - 54
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 14
Table 3. Comparison of Levitating rail and on-wheel system

15. Applications
 Microsoft’s MAGRAIL in Europe named as HYPER POLAND.
 East Japan Railway company an experimental train known as the
ALFA-X.
 HYPER LOOP proposed by SpaceX founder Elon Musk
 The European Network Rail has signed a 10 year contract for the
installation and support for the implementation of Digitized ETCS
which includes the train protection warning system.
 Similarly in Norway, the respective rail network has signed a 25
years contract for implementation of Digitized Bane NOR all of it
completely based on IOT.
 While the countries like USA and China working on the systems
namely PM-EDS and HEMS respectively are still in progress.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 15

16. Features EDS PM-EDS EMS HEMS
Air gap(mm) 80-150 80-150 8-12 18-25
Speed(Km/h) >500 500 100-500 500
Propulsion LSM LSM LIM/LSM LSM
Magnets Super cooled
Magnet
PM Halbach
Array
Electro-magnet Hybrid
magnet
Country using
this technology
Japan USA Japan/Germany China
Current Status In use Under trial In use Under trail
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 16
Table 4.Various Levitating technologies
Among useful usages of magnetic levitation technologies, the most important usage
is in operation of magnetically levitated trains. Maglev trains are undoubtedly the
most advanced vehicles currently available to railway industries. Besides different
countries have broadened the research and proposed systems like HEMS.

17. Conclusion
 The integration of levitation, guidance and propulsion
systems decreases the cost and size of the system, but
it adds complexity in controls.
 Rapid increase in traffic volume in transport systems
plus the need for improving passenger comfort have
highlighted the subject of developing new transport
systems.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 17

18. References
 Nisha Prasad, Shailendra Jain, “Electrical Components of Maglev
Systems: Emerging Trends,” Urban Rail Transit 5(2):67-79- 29 May
2019.
 Sujay Jaiaraman, Madhu.S, “A Research Review On Magnetic
Levitation Trains,” ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.33 (2015).
 Brandon Gilmore, Jeff Deely, “Magnetic Levitation Transportation
by the use of Electromagnets in Maglev Trains,” A11, paper- 3068,
April 2013.
 Monika Yadav, Nivritti Mehta, “Review of Magnetic
Levitation(MAGLEV): A technology to propel vehicles with
Magnets,” Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research
Journal. Volume 13 Issue 7 Version 1.0 Year 2013.
 Mamoru Taniguchi, “ High Speed Rail in Japan: A Review and
Evaluation of Magnetic Levitation Train,” working paper, April
2010.
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engg., K.L.E.I.T, Hubballi 18

19. Thank you