Magnetic Levitation: Extreme Engineering

Use of powerful electromagnets to develop high-speed trains, called MAGLEV (magnetic levitation) trains is being developed in a few countries, Germany being the pioneer. These trains will float over a guide-way using the basic principles of magnets to replace the old steel wheel and track trains.

The big difference between a maglev train and a conventional train is that maglev trains do not have a conventional Engine i. e. not the kind of engine used to pull typical train cars along steel tracks.

#-Link-Snipped-#Researches are happening on different implementations of the magnetic levitation principle for train-type travel. They are Electromagnetic Suspension, Electrodynamic suspension and Inductrack System. Each type involves advantages and disadvantages.

Here is how it works:

The magnetized coil running along the track, called a guide-way, repels the large magnets on the train's undercarriage, allowing the train to levitate around 10 cm above the guide-way. Once the train is levitated, power is supplied to the coils within the guide-way walls to create a unique system of magnetic fields that pull and push the train along the guide-way. The electric current supplied to the coils in the guide-way walls is constantly alternating to change the polarity of the magnetized coils. This change in polarity causes the magnetic field in front of the train to pull the vehicle forward, while the magnetic field behind the train adds more forward thrust.

The Electrodynamic suspension (EDS) system, which is based on the repelling force of magnets, is being developed by Japanese Companies. The key difference between Japanese and German maglev trains is that the Japanese trains use super-cooled, superconducting electromagnets. This kind of electromagnet can conduct electricity even after the power supply has been shut off.

The Maglev train is currently operational in Shanghai, China. The train was developed by German company Transrapid International, back in 2002. It is called the Shanghai Transrapid Airport Line.

Here is a video about this MagLev Train:

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