Model Maglev Train starting motor help

[chad_89]

OKay i am a high school student making a model maglev train like the Inductrack design.

I haven't started building yet but i know how I am going to make it and since i am using permanent magnets, the cart will not levitate right away. It will have wheels on the sides of the cart on rails to rest on. When the cart starts to move at 1-2km / hr the cart will leviate and won't need the wheels. What i need is ideas and help on making a motor to get that cart moving at 1-2 km / hr. HELP!

the cart will be a wooden plank with magnets in a row length wise on either side of the bottom of the cart forming an "L" sideways with another row as guidelines on the outside (rows are halbach arrays) the track is simple coils of wire (with two rails for the wheels)

as the cart starts to move due to the motor at a certain speed an electromagnetic field from the coiled wire will repel that of the cart, thus levitation. the cart will look like this:

_____wood____
|-...-| <-- magnets track like this:

________
|_______| in middle probably wood or something
^
|
wire
SO I NEED A MOTOR long story short.
please help!

 

[chad_89]

really, no one knows? :( just a motor or even something to get it moving.

i forgot to mention that the coiled wire will be attached to a battery source to create the electromagnetic field. like a circuit. does anyone knoe that if i use a strong enough battery will it repel the cart up straight from the get go?

if it does i can build it on an angle so i when i use a switch to complete the circuit of the battery and coiled wire, it repels and thus levitates the cart, and gravity will do the propulsion for me! please help with a motor r can someone let me know if i can create a strong enough electromagnetic field form a strong enough battery to repel the cart right away?

thanks

 

[astrokreng]

Hi there,

It sounds like you have a great design in mind for your model maglev train! I can offer some suggestions for your starting motor.

Firstly, have you considered using a simple DC motor with a gear or pulley system to get the cart moving at 1-2 km/hr? This would provide a consistent and controllable speed for the train to start levitating. You could also experiment with different gear ratios to find the most efficient and effective way to get the train moving.

Another option could be to use a linear induction motor, similar to the one used in real-life maglev trains. This would involve placing coils of wire on the track, and using a power source to create a changing magnetic field that would interact with the magnets on the bottom of the cart, propelling it forward. You could also try using a small electromagnet instead of permanent magnets on the cart, which would allow for more control over the levitation and movement.

Lastly, I would recommend doing some research on existing model maglev trains and their motors to get more inspiration and ideas. You may find some helpful tips and tricks from others who have built similar projects.

Good luck with your project!