For over two hundred years have passed since that moment when mankind invented the first steam locomotives.However, until now the railway ground transportation, carrying passengers and heavy loads with the power of electricity and diesel fuel, is quite common.
It is said that all these years, engineers-inventors are actively working to develop alternative ways to move.The result of their work became the magnetic levitation train.
story of
The idea to create a magnetic levitation train has been actively developed in the early twentieth century.However, to implement the project at the time for various reasons did not succeed.By making such a train started only in 1969. It was then the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany have started to lay the magnetic track on which it would take a new vehicle, which was later named as: maglev-train.It was launched in 1971. According to the magnetic track hosted the first maglev train, which was called "Transrapid-02."
interesting fact is that the German engineers prepared an alternative vehicle on the basis of those records, which left the scientist Hermann Kemper in 1934 received a patent confirming magnitoplana invention.
«Transrapid-02" can hardly be called very fast.It could be moved at a maximum speed of 90 kilometers per hour.Low was also its capacity - only four.
in 1979 created a more advanced model of maglev.The train, called "Transrapid-05" could carry sixty-eight passengers.He is moved along the line, located in the city of Hamburg, the length of which is 908 meters.The maximum speed which developed this train was equal to seventy-five kilometers per hour.
In the same 1979 in Japan, was released another model maglev.It was called "ML-500".Japanese magnetic levitation train developed a speed of up to five hundred seventeen kilometers per hour.
Competitiveness
speed that can develop a magnetic levitation train, can be compared with the speed of the aircraft.In this regard, this mode of transport could become a serious competitor of the air routes, which operate at a distance of thousands of kilometers.Universal application of maglev hampered by the fact that the move by traditional rail coatings they can not.Magnetic levitation train need to build special roads.This requires large investments of capital.It is also believed that was created for the Maglev magnetic field can have a negative impact on the human body, which has a negative impact on the health of the driver and the inhabitants of the regions that are far away from a road.
The principle of magnetic levitation train is a special kind of transport.While driving like a maglev floats above the tracks without touching it.This is for the reason that the vehicle is controlled by the power of artificially created magnetic field.While driving maglev no friction.Retarding force at the same time is a drag.
How does it work?About what basic properties are magnets, each of us aware of the lessons of physics the sixth grade.If two magnets are brought together North Pole, they will be repelled.It creates a so-called magnetic levitation.When connecting the different poles of the magnet will be attracted to each other.This rather simple principle is the basis of the train, maglev, which literally glides through the air at a slight distance from the rails.
are already developed two technologies with which is driven by magnetic levitation or suspension.The third experimental and exists only on paper.
electromagnetic suspension
This technology is called EMS.It is based on the strength of the electromagnetic field changes over time.She is levitation (rising air) maglev.For the movement of the train in this case requires T-rails are made of a conductor (typically metal).This system operation is similar to conventional rail.However, instead of the train wheel sets installed support and guide magnets.They are arranged parallel to the ferromagnetic stators, located at the edge of the T-shaped webs.
The main disadvantage is the need for technology EMS control the distance between the stator and the magnets.And this despite the fact that it depends on many factors, including from the fickle nature of the electromagnetic interaction.In order to avoid sudden train stop on special battery installed therein.They are able to recharge the linear generators, built-in support magnets, and thus long enough to support the process of levitation.
braking trains created technology-based EMS, synchronous linear motor provides a low acceleration.He is represented by the support magnets and the roadway over which hovers maglev.Speed and thrust the composition can be adjusted by changing the frequency and intensity of generated alternating current.For slowing down enough to change the direction of the magnetic waves.
electrodynamic suspension
There is a technology in which the movement takes place at the maglev cooperation between the two fields.One line is created in the web, and the second - on board composition.This technology is called EDS.At its base is built a Japanese magnetic levitation train JR-Maglev.
This system has some differences from EMS, which used conventional magnets, coils of which an electric current is applied only when power is applied.
EDS technology involves a continuous supply of electricity.This occurs even if the power supply is disconnected.The coils of such a system is installed cryogenic cooling in order to save significant amounts of electricity.
advantages and disadvantages of technology EDS
positive side of working on an electrodynamic suspension is its stability.Even a slight reduction or increase in the distance between the magnets and the web is governed by forces of repulsion and attraction.This allows the system to remain unchanged.With this technology, there is no need to install electronics for control.We do not need and devices for adjusting the distance between the blade and the magnets.
EDS technology has some drawbacks.Thus, sufficient force to levitate the composition, it may be only at high speed.That is why the maglev equipped with wheels.They provide their movement at a speed of up to one hundred kilometers per hour.Another disadvantage of this technique is the friction force occurring at the rear and front of the repelling magnets at low speed.
Because of the strong magnetic field in the section intended for passengers, you must install special protection.Otherwise, a person with a pacemaker to travel is prohibited.Protection is needed for magnetic media (credit cards and HDD).
Developed technology
third system, which now exists only on paper, is the use of permanent magnets EDS version that does not need to activate the power failure.Until recently it was thought that this was impossible.Researchers believe that the permanent magnets there is no force that can cause levitation train.However, this problem was avoided.To solve the magnets placed in a "Halbach array."This arrangement results in a magnetic field under no array, and above it.This helps to maintain the levitation composition even at a speed of about five kilometers per hour.
practical implementation of the project has not yet received.This is due to the high cost of arrays formed of permanent magnets.
Advantages maglev
most attractive aspect of magnetic levitation train is the prospect of reaching the high speeds that will compete in the future maglev even jets.This type of transport is quite economical in terms of energy consumption.Small costs and in its operation.This is possible due to the absence of friction.Pleases and low noise maglev, which has a positive impact on the environment.
Disadvantages
downside maglev is too big amount required to create them.High costs and maintenance track.In addition, for the considered mode of transport requires a complex system of paths and high precision devices that control the distance between the blade and the magnets.
implementation of the project in Berlin
in the German capital in 1980 opened the first type maglev system called M-Bahn.The length of fabric was 1.6 km.Magnetic levitation train shuttled between three metro stations on weekends.Meeting of passengers was free.After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city's population has doubled.It took the creation of transport networks with the ability to provide high passenger traffic.That is why in 1991, the magnetic sheet was dismantled and in its place has begun construction of the metro.
Birmingham
This German city of low-speed maglev put together from 1984 to 1995.Airport and railway station.The length of the magnetic path is only 600 meters.
Road worked for ten years and was closed down due to numerous complaints of passengers on existing inconvenience.Subsequently maglev monorail transport replaced on this site.
Shanghai
first magnetic road in Berlin was built by German company Transrapid.The failure of the project did not deter developers.They continued their studies and received an order from the Chinese government, which has decided to build the country's track-maglev.Shanghai and the airport "Pudong" linked the high-speed (up to 450 km / h) path.
road length of 30 km opened in 2002. The plans for the future - its extension to 175 kilometers.
Japan
in this country in 2005 was an exhibition Expo-2005.For its opening was put into operation the magnetic path length of 9 km.On the line is the nine stations.Maglev serves an area that is adjacent to the exhibition venue.
considered maglev transportation future.Already in 2025 it is planned to open a new ultra-fast track in a country such as Japan.Magnetic levitation train will carry passengers from Tokyo to one of the central areas of the island.Its speed is 500 km / h.For project will need about forty-five billion dollars.
Russia
Creating a planned high-speed train and the Railways.By 2030, Russia's maglev linking Moscow and Vladivostok.The way to overcome passengers 9300 km in 20 hours.Speed magnetic levitation train will reach five hundred kilometers per hour.
