MagneMotion’s Urban Maglev Transit System (M3) pairs Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) technology with Electro-Magnetic Suspension and Guidance (EMS) technology to create a fast, safe, and efficient alternative to traditional light rail, automated people movers (APM), personal rapid transit (PRT), and group rapid transit systems. M3 eliminates the cost and complexity found in larger, heavier maglev projects or other transportation modes. Our unique urban maglev design allows for smaller, lighter, and more easily controlled vehicles; lighter, cost-effective guideways with less environmental impact; and energy savings far greater than conventional transport systems.

MagneMotion’s Urban Maglev Transit System uses attractive magnetic forces for the suspension, guidance, and propulsion of vehicles on a guideway. Our patented maglev design is unique in that a single magnetic structure provides all the forces necessary for operation, resulting in a simpler, more cost-effective, and efficient maglev solution. Competitive maglev designs in use today typically use two electro-magnetic structures – one for magnetic suspension and another for magnetic propulsion. This makes larger maglev trains in use today heavier, more complex, and therefore inherently more expensive to design, build, and operate. The M3 suspension system uses the attractive force between permanent magnets onboard the vehicle to steel on the guideway to suspend and guide the vehicle as it moves along the track. Only a small amount of control power is needed to provide stable levitation due to the use of permanent magnets on the vehicle. Levitation control coils placed around the magnets on the vehicle stabilize the suspension system, maintaining a nominal operating gap of approximately 20 mm. These same levitation control coils coupled with the magnets on the vehicle and steel on the guideway provide a smoother ride, damping turbulence, weight shifts, and lateral movement during acceleration, deceleration, and travel through curves. Position sensors integrated with controls communicate vehicle position at all times.

MagneMotion utilizes LSM technology for the electro-magnetic propulsion of maglev vehicles on the guideway, producing thrust and braking according to system and operation requirements. Controlled electric current in the windings on the steel guideway generates a synchronized magnetic field pattern that interacts with the permanent magnets on the vehicle. The vehicle “rides” the magnetic field, accelerating to maximum speed and decelerating to stop at stations along the guideway. Thrust is controlled by varying currents in the windings. The control system allows for shorter headways between vehicles, which enables greater vehicle throughput. The system’s scalable design makes it ideal for smaller or larger automated people mover (APM) applications as well as the transport of goods.

MagneMotion maintains a working demonstration model of its magnetic levitation design that shows a maglev vehicle moving along a guideway using electro-magnetic forces, and levitating at zero speed with minimal energy usage. A video of the M3 prototype system is available (43 MB MPEG; 13 min @ 56.6KB/s). Also, a video of the industrial QuickStick™ LSM module shows how maglev vehicles are controlled in clusters for optimal travel times (29 MB MPEG; 9 min @ 56.6KB/s). MagneMotion is seeking partners to further commercialize its maglev technology. Interested parties should respond through MagneMotion's contact page.

Maglev vehicle structure plays an important part in the overall system development and magnetic levitation design. Most magnetic levitation projects have developed larger, heavier maglev vehicles for city-to-city transit. MagneMotion’s system avoids the use of heavy and costly maglev trains, relying on a model that favors smaller maglev vehicles. Key points include the following:

• Composite construction
• Reduced weight
  
• Streamlined shape
  
• Supported by pivoting magnet pods
  
• Like a small bus with magnet pods replacing wheels
  
• Secondary suspension only needed for high-speed maglev installations
  
• Onboard power via inductive power transfer
  
• Power requirements low because of efficient suspension
  
• Size and layout can be varied
  
• Shorter maglev vehicles reduce cost for lower capacity applications
  
• Vehicle size and number can be optimized for capacity >12,000 people per hour per direction
  
  

The guideway structure used for MagneMotion’s urban maglev system takes advantage of the lightweight EMS system and a smaller maglev vehicle design whereas the heavier guideways for long maglev trains are substantially more expensive. Key points include the following:

• Lightweight and compact
• Optimized for low cost, vehicle weight and speed
• 20 mm gap relaxes system dimensional tolerances thereby lowering construction costs
• Reinforced concrete box beam
• Designed for excellent ride quality at minimum cost
• 1.7 meter gauge
• Double span concrete box beams reduces deflection and temperature distortion
• Light weight and 36 m (118’) column spacing simplifies installation
  
  

MagneMotion's novel approach to maglev vehicle and guideway design makes it ideal for commuter transport or as an automated people mover (APM) in numerous applications.

• Airport transportation, Automated People Movers (APMs)
  
• Group Rapid Transit (GRT) and commuter rail extensions
  
• An alternative to light rail or monorail
  
• Theme parks, including parking lot connectors

For a summary of how MagneMotion’s key maglev objectives are accomplished, please see the paper “Linear Synchronous Motor Propulsion of Small Transit Vehicles,” presented by MagneMotion's Dr. Richard Thornton to the 2004 ASME/IEEE Joint Rail Conference.

For MagneMotion’s vision of Maglev Technology, please read Dick Thornton's recent presentation at the 2007 International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS) Conference titled The Future of Maglev (171 KB pdf).

MagneMotion’s M3 and LSM technology is also applicable to a personal rapid transit system (PRT). Please see Dr. Tracy Clark’s paper titled Maglev Personal Rapid Transit (2.5 MB pdf) that was presented at the 2007 Automated People Movers conference held in Vienna, Austria.

For a collection of links to details on maglev projects, maglev transportation corporations, Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), and various transportation technologies (other than the automobile), see Jerry Schneider's website at the University of Washington.