MagLev Elevator

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MagLev Elevator

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Salient points of the project

• The basic difference between a mechanical or a
  hydraulic elevator and a MagLev elevator is that
  it is based on electromagnetic suspension.
• Two electromagnetic systems will be used in this
  elevator.
• One system of axial wires and circular coils
  attached to the elevator will counteract the
  effect of gravity, suspending the elevator.
• The coils would be repelled by the wires thus
  ensuring higher stability (making sure that the
  coils dont hit against the wire).
• The coils would have a surface current going
  radially outwards on which the force would act in
  the vertical direction. These coils would be
  strongly connected to the capsule, thus
  levitating the capsule.

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• Another system of Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS)
  ( only the motion part) would be used to move the
  elevator up or down.
• The principle of the motion is that there will be
  electromagnet coils on the undercarriage of the
  elevator and also on the outer frame. These coils
  will attract or repel (as per the relative
  position of the elevator) the capsule, thus
  culminating in motion
• The relative position of the electromagnets and
  the capsule would be calculated using IR
  proximity detectors, whose output would be fed to
  the control system, which will regulate the
  direction of current in the outer electromagnets,
  thus achieving attraction or repulsion.
• The lift would also have buffer zones at the
  bottom and the top which will have a very high
  perpetual repelling magnetic field thus ensuring
  the safety of the elevator.

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Motion system of the elevator
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Challenges of the Project

• The two control systems of the EDS and the
  stability will be complex to design.
• The physics of the system( the calculations for
  the current and other parameters for suspension
  and motion) would be challenging.

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• Pros of the Maglev Elevator
• There is less friction due to no contact between
  the pulley and the suspension rope. Therefore
  higher speeds can be attained, which is useful in
  tall skyscrapers. Also the power required for the
  elevator would be reduced.
• Due to the use of electromagnetism, the elevator
  can have a higher weight to power ration than a
  normal elevator.
• The safety system using electric buffers would be
  a failsafe.
• Such a design would be better suited to
  electrical 21st century than a mechanical
  elevator.

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Prototype Scale

• The Outer elevator frame would be cylindrical
  with diameter of 6ft. The height of the frame
  would be about 20 ft.
• The elevator capsule would be coaxial with the
  frame and would be cylindrical with a height of
  4.5 ft and a radius of 2 ft.
• There would be at least 3 floors for the
  elevator so that the control systems could be
  tested out properly.

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• Feasibility of the project
• In a normal elevator the power provided from the
  source would be required to do two kinds of work.
• The first would be the work required to raise the
  elevator (or retard it) and the second would be
  the work done against friction.
• In Maglev elevator the power from the source is
  not wasted upon friction, which minimizes losses.
• As the working of the elevator is based on the
  principle laws of electromagnetism (creation of
  magnetic field due to current, force on a
  conductor due to magnetic field), the elevator
  design can be practically attained and is
  feasible.
• Moreover the construction of the elevator
  (exterior frames and the capsule) would be
  difficult but quite possible within the
  timeframe.

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Timeline

• now-May 1 - Principle and Design and
  calculations
• May1-May2 - Outer skeleton and
  movement electromagnets
• May22-June10 - The main lift capsule
• June11-Shaastra - Control system of the elevator

• Team Members
• Abhiram Iyer ME07B070 Jamuna 255
• Aditya Nandakumar MM07B035 Ganga 273 B
• Rajat Sharma EE07B067 Pamba 547
• M.V.S.R. Ajay CE07B002
  Mandak 148
• 5 Krishna Chaitanya CE07B019
  Mandak 163