Magnetically Levitated Magnetically Levitated Trains (MagLev)Trains (MagLev)

By Sai ganeshBy Sai ganesh

What are MagLev trains?What are MagLev trains?

MagLev uses Electromagnetic Propulsion.MagLev uses Electromagnetic Propulsion.Trains are thrust forward by positively and Trains are thrust forward by positively and

negatively charged magnets.negatively charged magnets.The train floats on a cushion of air The train floats on a cushion of air

eliminating friction.eliminating friction.

MagLev “Guideways” or TracksMagLev “Guideways” or Tracks

Track repels magnets on undercarriage of Track repels magnets on undercarriage of train, sending the train forward.train, sending the train forward.

Train levitates between 1 and 10 cm Train levitates between 1 and 10 cm above guideway.above guideway.

MagLev vs. Conventional TrainsMagLev vs. Conventional TrainsMagLev TrainsMagLev Trains Conventional TrainsConventional Trains

No Friction = Less No Friction = Less MaintenanceMaintenance

Routine Maintenance Routine Maintenance

NeededNeeded

No Engine = No fuel No Engine = No fuel requiredrequired

Engine requires fossil Engine requires fossil fuelsfuels

Speeds in excess ofSpeeds in excess of

300 mph300 mph

Speeds up to 110 mphSpeeds up to 110 mph

Better for the EnvironmentBetter for the Environment

Less energy consumption because no rail-Less energy consumption because no rail-track frictiontrack friction

Requires no fossil fuel which can harm the Requires no fossil fuel which can harm the environment.environment.

Less noise pollution since the train never Less noise pollution since the train never hits the trackhits the track

MagLev guideways and trains take up less MagLev guideways and trains take up less space than conventional trainsspace than conventional trains

Other MagLev ApplicationsOther MagLev Applications

Disneyland’s California Adventure CoasterDisneyland’s California Adventure CoasterCalifornia Screamin’ roller coaster uses California Screamin’ roller coaster uses

MagLev technology to propel car from 0-MagLev technology to propel car from 0-55 mph in less than 5 seconds!55 mph in less than 5 seconds!

Disneyland® - California Screamin'

Other MagLev ApplicationsOther MagLev Applications

U.S. military is looking into using MagLevU.S. military is looking into using MagLevPossible uses could include:Possible uses could include:

Rocket launchingRocket launchingAircraft carrier launching padAircraft carrier launching padSpace craft launchingSpace craft launching

Travel SpeedsTravel Speeds

At 300 mph, you could travel to Paris to At 300 mph, you could travel to Paris to Rome in just 2 hours!Rome in just 2 hours!

Anaheim to Las Vegas in just 86 minutes,Anaheim to Las Vegas in just 86 minutes,

and cheaper than flying!!!!and cheaper than flying!!!!MaglevMaglev

ReferencesReferences Bonsor, Kevin. “How Maglev Trains Work”. 5 September, 2002. Bonsor, Kevin. “How Maglev Trains Work”. 5 September, 2002.

<http://travel.howstuffworks.com/maglev-train.htm><http://travel.howstuffworks.com/maglev-train.htm>

Keating, Oliver. “Maglevs (Magnetically Levitated Trains)”. 16 June, Keating, Oliver. “Maglevs (Magnetically Levitated Trains)”. 16 June, 2000. <http://www.okeating.com/hsr/maglev.htm>2000. <http://www.okeating.com/hsr/maglev.htm>

Disney Online. “California Screamin’”. August, 1999. Disney Online. “California Screamin’”. August, 1999. <http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/attraction<http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/attractions/detail?name=CaliforniaScreaminAttractionPage>s/detail?name=CaliforniaScreaminAttractionPage>

MagLev Systems. “Electromagnetic Systems”. General Atomics MagLev Systems. “Electromagnetic Systems”. General Atomics and Affiliated Companies. 2005. <http://www.ga.com/atg/ems.php>.and Affiliated Companies. 2005. <http://www.ga.com/atg/ems.php>.