Essay - The Development and Use of Magnetic Levitation Propulsion Systems in...

The Development and Use of Magnetic Levitation Propulsion Systems in North America and Around the World

Introduction

***** Magnetic Levitation Propulsion System Works?

***** of the Maglev Technology

Design Differences in the German and Japanese Maglev Technology

Advantages of Maglev

Disadvantages

***** Factor

***** Applications ***** spin-offs

Potential Projects in the USA

Conclusion

Appendices

Bibliography

Magnetic Levitation Propulsion *****s

Introduction

With air travel and the highways becom*****g increasingly congested, the need for an efficient, fast ***** com*****table mode of alternative travel has been felt in many countries of the world. One of the possible solutions is the Magnetic Levitation ***** System or high-speed trains called the Maglev train (sh*****t for magnetic levitation). The recent question mark over ***** safety ***** ***** travel and the fear of flying created among the general public by ***** events of 9/11 ***** renewed interest in the Maglev technology. In th***** paper we will discuss how ***** Magnetic Levitation Propulsion System works and briefly overview its history ***** development. The different types of designs developed so far, the cost of developing such systems, and the potential ***** its expansion and use in transportation systems in the United States and all over the world will also be discussed.

How Magnetic ***** Propulsion ***** Works?

We all know that the opposite poles of a magnet attract while the like poles repel each other. This is the basic principle on which the ***** Levitation Propulsion System works. In *****ic propulsion systems, po*****rful electromagnets are *****d. The three basic components ***** a maglev train system *****: A large electrical power source, metal coils ***** line the track or guide-way, and large magnets attached to the underside of ***** train. *****re ***** no conventional engine in ***** **********. Instead, the force for propulsion is achieved by a combination of the magnetic fields created ***** the electrified coils in the tracks (c*****ed the guideways) and the guideway walls.

***** the magnetic coils l*****ing the track or ***** repel the magnets ***** to ***** underside of the train's carriageway, it makes the train levitate 1 to 10 cm above the ***** (***** guideway). While the train is **********, power is supplied ***** the coils in the guide-way walls that creates a ***** ***** ***** field, providing a ***** of 'pull' ***** 'push' *****ces to propel ***** train forward. Alternating current is supplied ***** the coils in ***** guideway ***** that constantly changes the polarity of the magnetized walls. This causes ***** magnetic field ***** front of the train to exert a 'pulling' force on the ***** ***** the ***** field at ***** back of the train 'pushes' the train forward adding more momentum to ***** ***** thrust.

Development ***** the Maglev Technology

The concept of magnetically levitated trains is not new; it was first identified at the turn of the century by two **********, Robert Goddard and Emile Bachelet. In ***** 1930s a German engineer (Hermann Kemper) further developed the concept. A p*****ent was granted to Americans James R. Powell and Gordon