Maglev trains use magnetic levitation to float above guideways without making contact. They are propelled through changing magnetic fields created by electromagnets in the guideway. This allows for very high speeds without friction. Maglev trains have no wheels or engines and are instead pulled and pushed through the guideway by magnetic fields. They have lower maintenance needs than wheeled trains and produce less noise, but have much higher initial construction costs. Temperature can affect how maglev trains levitate, with colder temperatures allowing faster speeds as the magnets ride closer together.

1. By
G. Venkata Surya Prakash (14NU5A0215)
P. Mani sankar (14NU5A0231)
Department of EEE

2.  Maglev trains are popular
in transportation stations in
big countries like Germany
and the United States of
America due to the demand
for hi-speed transportation,
as the general public
transportation services
become more congested
with increase of population.
 The maglev propulsion
systems uses the interaction
of stators, superconductors
and magnets between the
railway and the train. It has
controls for speed and
direction, which are based
on electricity.

3.  The principle of magnetic levitation is that a vehicle
can be suspended and propelled on a guidance track
made with magnets. The vehicle on top of the track may
be propelled with the help of a linear induction motor.
Although the vehicle does not use steel wheels on a steel
rail they are still referred to as trains as by definition
they are a long chain of vehicles which travel in the
same direction. This is the definition of a MAGLEV
train.

4.  The train will be floating about 10mm
above the magnetic guiding track. The
train will be propelled to move by the
guide way itself. Thus, there is no need of
any engine inside he train. The detailed
working of MAGLEV train is shown in
the figure below. The train is propelled by
the changing in magnetic fields. As soon
as the train starts to move, the magnetic
field changes sections by switching
method and thus the train is again pulled
forward. The whole guide way is run by
electromagnets so as to provide the
magnetic effect.

5.  The main difference between both the trains is that
conventional trains need steel wheels and a steel track for their
movement and MAGLEV does not need wheels. They travel under
the principle of electromagnetic suspension.
 Another difference is in the engine used. MAGLEV trains do
not need engines like conventional trains. The engine used for
conventional trains provide power to pull a chain of compartments
along steel tracks. In MAGLEV trains, the power to propel the train
is provided by the magnetic fields created by the electric coils kept
in the guidance tracks which are added together to provide huge
power.

6.  The track along which the train moves
is called the guide way. Both the guide
way as well as the train’s undercarriage
also have magnets which repel each
other. Thus the train is said to levitate
about 0.39 inches on top of the guide
way. After the levitation is complete,
enough power has to be produced so as
to move the train through the guide way.
This power is given to the coils within
the guide way, which in turn produces
magnetic fields, which pulls and pushes
the train through the guide way.

7.  The main advantage is maintenance. There is no contact between the
guide way and the train which lessens the number of moving parts. Thus
the components that wear out is little.
 Another advantage is the reduction in noise. As there are no wheels
running along there is no wheel noise. However noise due to air
disturbance will still be there.
 The next advantage is high speed. As there are no frictional contacts, the
train is prone to have more speed.
 Another advantage is that the guide way can be made a lot thicker in
uphill places, after stations and so on. This will help in increasing the
speed of the train further.

8.  The initial cost of MAGLEV trains are highly costly. The guide paths are
also supposed to be more costly than conventional steel railways.

9.  In conclusion weather does affect the way a magnetic train levitates.
Temperature affects a magnetic levitating train because when it’s cold it
runs a lot faster, the magnets ride closer together and with less effort to
move ahead. The result in the end is temperature does affect how the train
runs. Japan right now has developed a super-cooled superconducting
electromagnetic train. These magnets can conduct electricity even after the
power supply has been shut off.

10. Thank You