Maglev Trains
How Transrapid Works
Support System
• The electromagnets on the underside of the train pull it up to the ferromagnetic stators on the track and levitate the train.
• The magnets on the side keep the train from moving from side to side.
• A computer changes the amount of current to keep the train 1 cm from the track.
This means there is no friction between the train and the track
Levitation System’s Power Supply
 Batteries on the train power the system, and therefore it still functions without propulsion.
 The batteries can levitate the train for 30 minutes without any additional energy.
 Linear generators in the magnets on board the train use the motion of the train to recharge the batteries.
 Levitation system uses less power than the trains air conditioning.
Propulsion System
• The system consists of aluminum three-phase cable windings in the stator packs that are on the guideway
• When a current is supplied to the windings, it creates a traveling alternating current that propels the train forward by pushing and pulling.
• When the alternating current is reversed, the train brakes.
• Different speeds are achieved by varying the intensity of the current.
• Only the section of track where the train is traveling is electrified
Application Information
Safety
• The trains are virtually impossible to derail because the train is wrapped around the track.
• Collisions between trains are unlikely because computers are controlling the trains movements.
Maintenance
• There is very little maintenance because there is no contact between the parts.
Comfort
• The ride is smooth while not accelerating..
Economic Efficency
• The initial investment is similar to other high speed rail roads. (Maglift is $20-$40 million per mile and I-279 in Pittsburg cost $37 million per mile 17 years ago.)
• Operating expenses are half of that of other railroads.
• A train is composed of sections that each contain 100 seats, and a train can have between 2 and 10 sections
• The linear generators produce electricity for the cabin of the train.
Speed
• The train can travel at about 300 mph. (Acela can only go 150 mph)
• For trips of distances up to 500 miles its total travel time is equal to a planes (including check in time and travel to airport.)
• It can accelerate to 200 mph in 3 miles, so it is ideal for short jumps. (ICE needs 20 miles to reach 200 mph.)
Environment
• It uses less energy than existing transportation systems. For every seat on a 300 km trip with 3 stops, the gasoline used per 100 miles varies with the speed. At 200 km/h it is 1 liter, at 300 km/h it is 1.5 liters and at 400 km/h it is 2 liters. This is 1/3 the energy used by cars and 1/5 the energy used by jets per mile.
• The tracks have less impact on the environment because the elevated models (50ft in the air) allows all animals to pass, low models ( 5-10 ft) allow small animals to pass, they use less land than conventional trains, and they can follow the landscape better than regular trains since it can climb 10% gradients (while other trains can only climb 4 gradients) and can handle tighter turns.