Modified H-LSM for urban MAGLEVs

MAGLEVs-vehicles without wheels - that use electromagnetic forces for propulsion, levitation (suspension) and guidance -are credited with reduced noise, vibration and energy per passenger and km for given commercial speeds (from urban to suburban or interurban high speeds (400km/h and more)). Existing active and passive guide way MAGLEVs have propulsion (only) efficiency around 0.7 and a power factor bellow 0.65, while the active guide way MAGLEVs imply also large initial (active track) costs. A passive guideway H-LSM (homopolar linear synchronous motor) MAGLEV (MAGNIBUS-01) with integrated propulsion and levitation control proved in a 4 tons prototype at 10 m/s, a total efficiency of 0.8 and 0.8 lagging power factor (propulsion and levitation copper and iron losses considered). In an effort to further reduce the system (and passive guide way) initial costs but keep efficiency and power factor as above an improved H-LSM topology, capable to offer controlled propulsion, levitation and guidance is investigated, for a MAGLEV “flying” under a single beam sustained by a high post structure (tele cabin-like), by preliminary design and key FEM validations for a potential 16 tons urban vehicle capable of 16kN up to 20 m/s for a total efficiency above 80% above 10m/s. In depth design and control investigations are planned for the near future.