ELECTROMAGNETIC FLIGHT

The article gives a simplified description of electromagnetic flight, reviewing the physical principles of magnetic levitation and the experimental projects in the German Federal Republic and Japan. It goes on to explain the Magneplane system studies at MIT. The vehicle is lightweight (50 to 100 seats in the preliminary project) and levitation is about a foot above the guideway by superconducting coils distributed over the semi-circular underside of the vehicle body. It is supported and guided by a C-shaped trough and propulsed by a linear synchronous motor. The authors explain how the principle of levitation and propulsion offers the possibility of very lightweight vehicles which can operate at short intervals (1 minute) and reach speeds of 300 miles an hour. The authors think that air transport has reached its limits in both speed and passenger capacity. They demonstrate Magneplane's superiority over air transport and its advantages in relation to conventional rail transport.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00368733
• Corporate Authors:

  Scientific American Incorporated

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  New York, NY  United States  10017
• Authors:
  • Kolm, H H
  • Thoruton, R D
• Publication Date: 1973-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 9 p.
• Serial:
  • Scientific American
  • Publisher: Scientific American Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0036-8733

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Intelligent transportation systems; Magnetic levitation
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00054353
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Union of Railways
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 10 1974 12:00AM