Electromagnetic propulsion
Electromagnetic propulsion (EMP) is the principle of
The science of electromagnetic propulsion does not have origins with any one individual and has application in many different fields. The thought of using magnets for propulsion continues to this day and has been dreamed of since at least 1897 when John Munro published his fictional story "A Trip to Venus".
History
One of the first recorded discoveries regarding electromagnetic propulsion was in 1889 when Professor
Uses
Trains
Electromagnetic propulsion is utilized in transportation systems to minimize friction and maximize speed over long distances. This has mainly been implemented in high-speed rail systems that use a linear induction motor to power trains by magnetic currents. It has also been utilized in theme parks to create high-speed roller coasters and water rides.
Maglev
In a
A typical Maglev train costs three cents per passenger mile, or seven cents per ton mile (not including construction costs).
Assembly: Linear Induction Motor
A linear induction motor consists of two parts: the primary coil assembly and the reaction plate.[8][11] The primary coil assembly consists of phase windings surrounded by steel laminations, and includes a thermal sensor within a thermal epoxy.[10] The reaction plate consists of a 3.2 mm (0.125 inch) thick aluminum or copper plate bonded to a 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) thick cold rolled steel sheet.[11] There is an air gap between these two parts that creates the frictionless property an electromagnetic propulsion system encompasses.[7][11] Functioning of a linear induction motor begins with an AC force that is supplied to the coil windings within the primary coil assembly.[4] This creates a traveling magnetic field that induces a current in the reaction plate, which then creates its own magnetic field.[9] The magnetic fields in the primary coil assembly and reaction plate alternate, which generates force and direct linear motion.[11]
Spacecraft
There are multiple applications for EMP technologies in the field of aerospace. Many of these applications are conceptual as of now, however, there are also several applications that range from near term to next century.[12] One of such applications is the use of EMP to control fine adjustments of orbiting satellites. One of these particular systems is based on the direct interactions of the vehicle's own electromagnetic field and the magnetic field of the Earth. The thrust force may be thought of as an electrodynamic force of interaction of the electric current inside its conductors with the applied natural field of the Earth.[13] To attain a greater force of interaction, the magnetic field must be propagated further from the flight craft. The advantages of such systems is the very precise and instantaneous control over the thrust force. In addition, the expected electrical efficiencies are far greater than those of current chemical rockets that attain propulsion through the intermediate use of heat; this results in low efficiencies and large amounts of gaseous pollutants.[14] The electrical energy in the coil of the EMP system is translated to potential and kinetic energy through direct energy conversion. This results in the system having the same high efficiencies as other electrical machines while excluding the ejection of any substance into the environment.[14]
The current thrust-to mass ratios of these systems are relatively low. Nevertheless, since they do not require reaction mass, the vehicle mass is constant. Also, the thrust can be continuous with relatively low electric consumption.[13] The biggest limitation would be mainly the electrical conductance of materials to produce the necessary values of the current in the propulsion system.
Ships and Submarines
EMP and its applications for seagoing ships and submarines have been investigated since at least 1958 when Warren Rice filed a patent describing the technology.[15] The technology described by Rice considered charging the hull of the vessel itself. The design was later refined by allowing the water to flow through thrusters as described in a later patent by James Meng.[16] The arrangement consists of a water channel open at both ends extending longitudinally through or attached to the ship, a means for producing magnetic field throughout the water channel, electrodes at each side of the channel and source of power to send direct current through the channel at right angles to magnetic flux in accordance with Lorentz force.[17]
Elevators
Cable-free
See also
References
- ^ Munro, John (1897). A Trip to Venus (2007 IndyPublish ed.). London: Jarrold & Sons. pp. 26–28.
- ^ a b "Inventor of the week- Elihu Thomson". February 2002. Archived from the original on 2003-04-15.
- ^ a b Harding, R, & Darroch, D. (2003, May). Emile bachelet collection. Retrieved from "Technology, Invention, and Innovation Collections". Archived from the original on 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
- ^ a b c d James R. Powell ph.d. (2002). Retrieved from "James Powell - the Franklin Institute Awards - Laureate Database". Archived from the original on 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
- ^ a b Powell, J.; Danby, G. (2005). "Maglev the new mode of transport for the 21st century". The 21st Century Science and Technology Magazine.
- .
- ^ a b c Bonsor, K (October 13, 2010). "How Maglev trains work".
- ^ a b c Gluckman, R. (n.d.). Is it a Bird? a plane?. Retrieved from gluckman.com
- ^ a b "Shanghai supertrain makes first journey". BBC News. December 31, 2002.
- ^ S2CID 11904735.
- ^ a b c d e Lmac - ac linear induction motor. (2010). Retrieved from "LMAC - AC Linear Induction Motor: Baldor, a leader in motion control, servo, linear motors, energy efficient electric motors and adjustable speed drives". Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
- ^ Byers, D. C. (1984). The NASA electric propulsion program. JSASS/AIAA/DGLR 17th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 1-9.
- ^ ISSN 0376-0421.
- ^ ISSN 0376-0421.
- ^ US 2997013, Rice, Warren A., "Propulsion system", published 1961-08-22, assigned to Carl E. Grebe & inventor
- Secretary of the United States Navy
- ^ Friauf, J. B. (1961). Electromagnetic ship propulsion. American Society of Naval Engineers -- Journal, 73(1), 139-142.
- Thyssen Krupp. Archived from the originalon 19 January 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ Condliffe, Jamie (June 23, 2017). "World's First Cable-Free Elevator Zooms Horizontally and Vertically Using Maglev Tech". MIT Technology Review. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 19 October 2017.