China develops brand-new maglev train

People's Daily Online ^ | September 23, 2004

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

China made it to develop MAS-3 maglev train with its own intellectual property rights. The train, 2.63 meters long and 1.25 meters wide, can hold six people. The sample train will be showcased with those from Germany and Japan at the 18th international exhibition on maglev and linear drive in the coming October.

As learned from related departments, with magnetic suspension technology as the core, maglev train is a brand-new means of transportation propped by magnetic force. That is to say, it is the interaction between magnetic bodies in the train and on the rail to levitate the train from the ground, which greatly reduces the frictional resistance in running.

MAS-3 maglev train is invented trial-made by Wei Lehan, chief scientist in magnetic suspension technology at Shanghai Academy of Science and Technology (SAST). With its unique edges, the train is essentially different from Germany's EMS (electromagnetic suspension) and Japan's EDS (electrodynamic suspension) and is called by experts "alternative maglev".

At an appraisal meeting held in Shanghai on the project, Wei's magnetic suspension technology is hailed as "a pioneer with no problem in the principles".

The sample of MAS-3 maglev train produces a suspension force through the attraction and repulsion between the bodies on the train and rail. The suspension force produced is 20 percent greater than EMS and EDS. The cost each kilometer is 330 million yuan for EMS but only 50 million yuan for MAS, which takes up far smaller area.

In addition, compared with EMS and EDS, MAS, with no need in control, features strong suspension force and bi-directional stability. The suspension, driving, and orientation systems are all structurally simple, power-saving, efficient in driving and light in weight. These make MAS-3 a promising new-generation means of transportation for the public.

[Willie Green]

The Chicoms learn quickly.
The Germans build 'em a Maglev, then the Chicoms turn around to squeeze 'em out of the market.
Of course, they're gonna backstab us the same way: aquire our technology, then ditch us.

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[Chad Fairbanks]

China made it to develop MAS-3 maglev train with its own intellectual property rights.

PRC Code for "We stole it from those filthy decadent capitalist pigs..."

[Pontiac]

The train, 2.63 meters long and 1.25 meters wide, can hold six people.

This is a long way from commercially ready.

1.25 meters is not even wide enough for two adults to sit comfortably side by side.

In ten years the Chinese may get this on the market. And by then their train will likely have been eclipsed by a better product from a capitalist country.

[WOSG]

Maglev is 'brand-new'? That'll be news to those who developed it decades ago.

[traumer]

"the train is essentially different from Germany's EMS (electromagnetic suspension) and Japan's EDS (electrodynamic suspension) and is called by experts "alternative maglev... "

MAS-3 maglev train with its own intellectual property rights.... HA :o)
ALL the Maglevs there are - belong to us !

[Old Professer]

6 people per car???

[stripes1776]

A conventional train on a track moves forward by means of friction. If the maglev train reduces the friction between the train and the track, what accelerates the train forward?

[traumer]

Electromagnetic field. Think of an electric motor that is 'unrolled'.... that's what it is

[Willie Green]

Magnetic repulsion propels the maglev forward in addition to keeping it levitated.

[Willie Green]

It sounds a little cramped to me.
But perhaps the average Chinese is smaller than the average American.
Anyway, for a demo model at an exhibition, it doesn't make that much difference.
Refinements can easily be made for actual implementations.

[stripes1776]

Electromagnetic field. Think of an electric motor that is 'unrolled'.... that's what it is

I still don't understand the physics. Is an electric motor based on acceleration of uniform circular motion? If so, how does circular motion become linear motion? In this case of a maglev train, I see where there would be a vertical component of force, but I don't understand where the horizontal force is coming from.

[stripes1776]

Magnetic repulsion propels the maglev forward in addition to keeping it levitated.

Can you go into this with a little more detail so that I can understand the physics? I don't understand where the horizontal component of force is coming from. To produce acceleration, net force must be unbalanced in the direction of motion. How does the magnetism accomplish this? Are the magnets set at angles to each other?

[WFTR]

Will this technology actually make the trains and tracks less expensive? Isn't the biggest economic problem with rail travel the expense of builing and maintaining the rails? If this technology could reduce that cost, then it might be viable. I can't see it being viable if it can't reduce that cost.

Bill

[pierrem15]

There are two coil systems: one lifts, the other pushes and pulls.

[stripes1776]

Thanks. I checked the link. The layout of the system is clear. The levitation is not difficult to understand. But I don't know enough about electromagnetic fields to understand how two parallel coils can produce a forward linear acceleration. I will read up on electromagnetism.

[Willie Green]

It's basicly a linear induction motor.
The track functions as the motor stator, and the vehicle is the motor rotor.

[stripes1776]

That was a good link to a linear induction motor. I have a better idea of how this works. My knowledge of physics is not very deep, so I am trying to understand with what I know about vector forces.

Obviously there is a horizontal component of the electromagnetic force acting on the train. But is the angle of the force vector 0 degrees, i.e. the magnitude of the force is completely in the horizontal direction? Or is the force vector at an angle to the horizontal, e.g. 12 degrees? Since the magnets are turned on when they are just off center, doesn't that mean the angle is greater than 0, but obviusly less than 90 degrees to the horizontal?

A force diagram for just the train would be helpful if you have a link. Thanks.