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Electromagnetic propulsion (EMP), is the principle of accelerating an object by the utilization of a flowing electrical current and magnetic fields. The electrical current is used to either create an opposing magnetic field, or to charge a fluid, which can then be repelled. It is well known that when a current flows through a conductor in a magnetic field, an electromagnetic force known as a Lorentz force,
pushes the conductor in a direction perpendicular to the conductor and
the magnetic field. This repulsing force is what causes propulsion in a
system designed to take advantage of the phenomenon. The term
electromagnetic propulsion (EMP) can be described by its individual
components: electromagnetic- using electricity to create a magnetic
field (electromagnetism),
and propulsion- the process of propelling something. One key difference
between EMP and propulsion achieved by electric motors is that the
electrical energy used for EMP is not used to produce rotational energy for motion; though both use magnetic fields and a flowing electrical current.
The science of electromagnetic propulsion does not have origins with
any one individual and has applications in many different fields. The
thought of using magnets for propulsion continues to this day and has
been dreamed of since at least 1897 when John Munro published his
fictional story "A Trip to Venus".[1] Current applications can be seen in maglev trains and military railguns. Other applications that remain not widely used or still in development include ion thruster for low orbiting satellites and magnetohydrodynamic drive for ships and submarines.
Contents
History
One of the first recorded discoveries regarding electromagnetic propulsion was in 1889 when Professor Elihu Thomson made public his work with electromagnetic waves and alternating currents.[2][3] A few years later Emile Bachelet proposed the idea of a metal carriage levitated in air above the rails in a modern railway, which he showcased in the early 1890s.[2][3] In the 1960s Eric Roberts Laithwaite developed the linear induction motor, which built upon these principles and introduced the first practical application of electromagnetic propulsion.[4] In 1966 James R. Powell and Gordon Danby patented the superconducting maglev transportation system, and after this engineers around the world raced to create the first high-speed rail.[4][5] From 1984 to 1995 the first commercial automated maglev system ran in Birmingham.[citation needed] It was a low speed Maglev shuttle that ran from the Birmingham International Airport to the Birmingham International Railway System.[citation needed]Uses
Trains
Maglev:
Main article: Maglev (transport)
In a maglev train the primary coil assembly lies below the reaction plate.[6] There is a 1–10 cm (0.39-3.93 inch) air gap between that eliminates friction, allowing for speeds up to 500 km/h (310 mph).[6] An alternating electric current is supplied to the coils, which creates a change in polarity of the magnetic field.[7] This pulls the train forward from the front, and thrusts the train forward from the back.[8] A typical Maglev train costs three cents per passenger mile, or seven cents per ton mile (not including construction costs).[9] This compares to 15 cents per passenger miles for travel by plane and 30 cents for ton mile for travel by intercity trucks.[9] Maglev tracks have high longevity due to minimal friction and an even distribution of weight.[7] Most last for at least 50 years and require little maintenance during this time.[10]
Maglev trains are promoted for their energy efficiency since they run
on electricity, which can be produced by coal, nuclear, hydro, fusion,
wind or solar power without requiring oil.[4] On average most trains travel 483 km/h (300 mph) and use 0.4 megajoules per passenger mile.[9]
Using a 20 mi/gallon car with 1.8 people as a comparison, travel by car
is typically 97 km/h (60 mph) and uses 4 megajoules per passenger mile.[9]
Along with this there are no carbon dioxide emissions and the running
of the train is significantly quieter than other trains, trucks or
airplanes.[5]Assembly: Linear Induction Motor
Main article: Linear motor
A linear induction motor consists of two parts: the primary coil assembly and the reaction plate.[7][10]
The primary coil assembly consists of phase windings surrounded by
steel laminations, and includes a thermal sensor within a thermal epoxy.[9]
The reaction plate consists of a 3.2 mm (0.125 inch) thick aluminum or
copper plate bonded to a 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) thick cold rolled steel
sheet.[10]
There is an air gap between these two parts that creates the
frictionless property an electromagnetic propulsion system encompasses.[6][10]
Functioning of a linear induction motor begins with an AC force that is
supplied to the coil windings within the primary coil assembly.[4]
This creates a traveling magnetic field that induces a current in the
reaction plate, which then creates its own magnetic field.[8] The magnetic fields in the primary coil assembly and reaction plate alternate, which generates force and direct linear motion.[10]Spacecraft
Main article: Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion
There are multiple applications for EMP technologies in the field of
aerospace. Many of these applications are conceptual as of now, however,
there are also several applications that range from near term to next
century.[11]
One of such applications is the use of EMP to control fine adjustments
of orbiting satellites. One of these particular systems is based on the
direct interactions of the vehicle's own electromagnetic field and the
magnetic field of the Earth. The thrust force may be thought of as an
electrodynamic force of interaction of the electric current inside its
conductors with the applied natural field of the Earth.[12]
To attain a greater force of interaction, the magnetic field must be
propagated further from the flight craft. The advantages of such systems
is the very precise and instantaneous control over the thrust force. In
addition, the expected electrical efficiencies are far greater than
those of current chemical rockets that attain propulsion through the
intermediate use of heat; this results in low efficiencies and large
amounts of gaseous pollutants.[13]
The electrical energy in the coil of the EMP system is translated to
potential and kinetic energy through direct energy conversion. This
results in the system having the same high efficiencies as other
electrical machines while excluding the ejection of any substance into
the environment.[13]The current thrust-to mass ratios of these systems are relatively low. Nevertheless, since they do not require propulsive mass, the vehicle mass is constant. Also, the thrust can be continuous with relatively low electric consumption.[12] The biggest limitation would be mainly the electrical conductance of materials to produce the necessary values of the current in the propulsion system.
Ships and Submarines
EMP and its applications for seagoing ships and submarines have been investigated since at least 1958 when Warren Rice filed a patent explaining the technology US 2997013.[14] The technology described by Rice considered charging the hull of the vessel itself. The design was later refined by allowing the water to flow through thrusters as described in a later patent by James Meng US 5333444.[15] The arrangement consists of a water channel open at both ends extending longitudinally through or attached to the ship, a means for producing magnetic field throughout the water channel, electrodes at each side of the channel and source of power to send direct current through the channel at right angles to magnetic flux in accordance with Lorentz force.[16]
See also: Magnetohydrodynamics
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