Magnetic levitation system awarded US patent

MagneMotion, a developer and manufacturer of assembly automation has announced that its magnetic levitation system (MagLev) has been awarded US Patent.

MagneMotion, a developer and manufacturer of assembly automation, material handling and transportation solutions using electro-magnetic technology, has announced that its magnetic levitation system (MagLev) has been awarded US Patent No.

6,973,701.

The patent recognizes MagneMotion's use of a single magnetic structure to provide suspension, guidance and propulsion of vehicles on a guideway, eliminating a level of complexity and costs found in other MagLev systems.

MagneMotion's MagLev development efforts are geared towards the urban environment and represent an alternative to light rail and automated people movers.

Although the technology can achieve high speeds found in competitive technologies, MagneMotion has focused on the urban transportation market, where small vehicles on an elevated guideway can maneuver city streets with frequent stops.

The technology is cost competitive with other forms of city transportation, environmentally friendly and inherently safe.

MagneMotion has a working prototype at its facility, funded in part with grants from the Federal Transit Administration.

"Our MagLev patent solidifies our position as a leader in MagLev technology and clearly differentiates our system from others in the marketplace.

It enables us to develop a cost effective system with broad appeal to transportation planners worldwide, both public and private," said Todd Webber, co-founder and president of MagneMotion.

"Our approach to MagLev and the unique technology we have developed results in a system that will be easy to build, install, maintain and operate.

Although it is true some high speed MagLev systems may be expensive, we have concentrated on the urban market, where top speeds of 100 mph, tight radius turns and vehicles that can accelerate quickly to reduce trip time are a real alternative for communities with acute transportation needs." Competitive designs in use typically use two electro-magnetic structures; one for suspension and guidance, and another for propulsion.

This makes them heavier, more complex, and therefore inherently more expensive to design, build and operate.

MagneMotion's single magnetic configuration simplifies both the vehicle and guideway structures as well as the control system, resulting in significant cost savings.

Its scalability makes it useful for both small and large applications.

MagneMotion's MagLev is based on a wide-gap EMS (Electro-magnetic Suspension) which uses Linear Synchronous Motors for propulsion.

Specifically, MagneMotion deploys attractive magnetic force which can be controlled to levitate the vehicle, maintaining a magnetic gap between permanent magnet arrays on the vehicle and steel on the guideway.

Only a small amount of control power is needed to provide stable levitation due to the use of permanent magnets on the vehicle.

The levitation control coils on the vehicle adjust the gap between the magnets on the vehicle and the steel on the guideway, maintaining a consistent force equal to the weight of the vehicle.

Controls on the vehicle sense weight changes, as when passengers board or exit the vehicle, and adjust the magnetic gap accordingly, maintaining the equilibrium required for levitation.

These same levitation control coils, coupled with the magnets on the vehicle and steel on the guideway, also provide guidance with no mechanical dependencies, dampen turbulence, and adjust for weight shifts and lateral movement during acceleration, deceleration and travel through curves.

The result is a stable and smooth ride through all kinds of weather and terrain.

MagneMotion uses LSM-based technology to produce thrust and braking on the guideway.

Windings on the steel guideway are energized in a controlled fashion to generate a synchronized magnetic field pattern which 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.

About MagneMotion - MagneMotion provides the world's most advanced electromagnetic transportation, assembly and logistics solutions.

The company's renowned scientists have captured the power of Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) and MagLev technology to create faster, more efficient, longer lasting and more affordable automated manufacturing and transportation systems.

LSM technology underpins the company's QuickStick, a breakthrough in powering manufacturing and logistics systems.

Organization's ranging from the US Navy to major consumer goods companies and value added resellers rely on MagneMotion for superior results.

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