subject: maglev trains [print this page] maglev trains maglev trains
maglev is the short form of MAGNETIC LEVITATION. it is a process of making an object flying in air,against gravity with the help of magnetic field.it can be achieved by various means- EMS(electromagnetic suspension), EDS(electrodynamic sus[ension) and the latest INDUCTRACK SYSTEM.
now,though it appears simple to make an objec fly in air using magnets or rather electro-magnets( one can go for free videos on you tube),bt if one id truly interested in actual and most practical form of levitation, than its raher a fairly cumbersome task.
since my project is on maglev train,so i will discuss that only.(although there are several other uses of levitation- say using levitation one can design a motor with the rotor floating in air, and so the frictional losses in rotor are reduced by a large percentage, one can design a maglev turbine,whose losses are much less than the conventional turbine,and it can be coupled to an alternator to produce electricity.,. and many other applications)
Now, the design process is carried out in three different steps-
1- magnetic system, 2- propulsion system, 3- power system.
uses of all these systems can be recognised from their names only. a magnetic system is used to float the object(basically its an electromagnet), a propulsion system is used to make the object move, and the power system is used to supply the electromagnets and other aeras where it is required.
several considerations have to be taken before actual designing. most important being the materail to be levitated. In order to perform levitation,only a diamagnetic material is used,and that'll be a superconductor when it'll be cooled to temprature of -179 deg cel with the help of liquid nitrogen.
when this is done,then the material undergoes MEISSNER EFECT.the magnetic lines fails to pass through the superconductor and when an array of electromagnets is formed,than a blank path is formed by the magnetic lines,and the object(ie the superconductor) floats in the air.
