2023 IEEE IAS Global Conference on Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Technologies (GlobConHT)

The Maldives National University, Male City (Maldives). Mar 11-12, 2023

Wayside Hyper-loop System using Double Sided

Linear Induction Motor
2023 IEEE IAS Global Conference on Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Technologies (GlobConHT) | 979-8-3503-3211-7/23/$31.00 ©2023 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/GLOBCONHT56829.2023.10087437

Anant Kumar Himanshu Anand Lovesh B. Xaxa

Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology(BHU) Indian Institute of Technology(BHU) Indian Institute of Technology(BHU)
Varanasi, India Varanasi, India Varanasi, India
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]@itbhu.ac.in

Kamal Gupta Arbind Kumar R. K. Srivastava

Defence Research and Development Orgn. Defence Research and Development Orgn. Department of Electrical Engineering
Pune, India Pune, India Indian Institute of Technology(BHU)
[email protected] [email protected] Varanasi, India
[email protected]

Abstract—Linear Induction motors are becoming more and being used for normal force or dynamic levitation using
more popular day by day. High speed Electromagnetic propulsion PM. Enrico Levi considered various realizations of linear
is the demand of many upcoming industry projects viz. the synchronous motors, energized from either the vehicle side
Hyper-loop transport system, factory operation and Defence
establishment for moving large mass rapidly. The short secondary or the wayside for modern intercity ground transportation.
long primary Double Sided Linear Induction Motor (DSLIM), The linear synchronous motor warrants an effort to make use
with conventional single layer or double layer distributed winding of the same electromagnets for propulsion, suspension and
when operating at extremely high acceleration results in oscil- lateral guidance in contrast to linear induction motors [2].
lating thrust which restricts the movement of the mover. A case Zabar, et.al studied the performance of an experimental 3-
study has been reported for wayside Hyper-loop system with
German Silver mover gives satisfactory performance for moving phase propeller energized by a capacitor bank for large muzzle
a heavy mass at high speed using DSLIM. Here slot by slot double velocity [3]. Junyong et.al presented two types of feasible
layer three phase winding has been used. linear machines, including linear permanent magnet brushless
Index Terms—Distributed winding, DSLIM, Electromagnetic dc motor (LPMBDCM) and linear induction motor (LIM)
Propulsion system, Finite Element method, Tooth winding. for covert airstrip catapult [4]. Ji-An Duan et.al developed a
novel maglev transportation platform for ultra-precision linear
I. I NTRODUCTION motion with large travel range, and designed an optimized
Transfer of extremely large thrust to accelerate a heavy decoupled electromagnet spatial distribution of this platform
mass using rotary motor using wheel rail arrangement is with finite-element analysis [5]. Li Chunyan et.al designed a
problematic. Only about 3.11 % of the dead weight of a large thrust force permanent magnet linear synchronous motor
wheel-rail locomotive can be safely translated to tractive thrust (PMLSM) that is used in a space electromagnetic propeller
without any wheel slippage for acquiring an acceleration of [6]. Mu Shujun, et.al proposed a variable pole pitch linear
1.0 kmphps. This transfer of thrust to move the mass is again induction motor (VPPLIM) as a new member of the family of
restricted by striction between wheel and rail system, gear loss, electromagnetic aircraft propulsion system [7]. Another type
drag force and severe thrust oscillations when motor is excited of linear induction motor is transverse flux linear Induction
by high voltage. This impedes the movement of vehicle along motor (TFLIM), which can be made using E-core or C-core
the rail track. In case of Single sided linear induction motor [8]. Design consideration of TFLIM has been reported in [9].
(SLIM) based propulsion system, the thrust is provided in a Investigation of thrust characteristics of transverse flux tubular
non-contact way and wheel slip plays no role in hindering the linear machine including theoretical analysis and numerical
advancement of movement. The apparent mass of the vehicle calculation is done in [10]. Ref. [11] presents the comparison
gets increased due to large attractive normal force at high of four linear switched reluctance machines (LSRMs) as possi-
speed and low slip region of the SLIM [1]. ble candidates for application in vertical elevators along with
In levitated transport system and Hyper-loop system of the design criteria and methodology depending on elevator
transport, the additional change in virtual weight of moving performance and control strategy.
pod needs to be countered by real time controlled electro-
magnets or SLIM mounted as repulsive force levitator by II. T OPOLOGY OF DSLIM
supplying frequency corresponding to instant speed, such Operation of a long primary short secondary double sided
that it corresponds to linear synchronous speed of SLIM linear induction motor, LPSS-DSLIM is a tedious task because

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 it requires a proper voltage and frequency when the secondary TABLE I
(mover) is in proximity to a particular DSLIM block. For small D ESIGN D ETAILS OF DSLIM
displacement thruster applications constant voltage constant Parameter Value Unit
frequency supply can be easily used. LPSS-DSLIM’s appli- Length of Core ( DLIM block) 3300 mm
cation in wayside Hyper-loop system and factory automation Width of Core 300 mm
Thickness of core 2000 mm
must cater to the demand of heavy load to be transported from Air clearance (one side) 12 mm
one place to another with remote control in required time. The Slot Pitch 132 mm
stator blocks not in proximity to the mover need to remain de- Number of Slots 25 -
energized or switched Off, else magnetizing power in those Slot Type 2 -
Secondary mover Length 6 m
blocks gets wasted resulting in increased losses and poor Winding Layers 1 -
efficiency. In high speed high power machines, the electrical Coil Pitch 1 -
time constants and mechanical time constants are compara- Number of conductors 1 -
Conductor size 40 x 44 sq mm
ble rendering closed loop position based control difficult to frequency 28-170 Hz
incorporate. When such systems are operated using variable Supply Volt (RMS) 297 - 1662 V
voltage variable frequency control (VVVF), the thruster action Secondary Thickness 16 mm
forces the mover to achieve speed higher than the block’s Secondary material German Silver -
Conductor material Copper -
linear synchronous speed (speed of the traveling magnetic field Winding type Slot by slot -
wave) which subsequently results in sudden electrical braking
situation due to regenerative braking operation and the mover
fails to achieve its target. When each block is energized with IV. FEM ANALYSIS
different voltage and frequency, probability of regenerative
In ANSYS Electronics platform 2D model of DLIM with
action becomes less. A heuristic approach has been adopted in
Voltage excitation has been analyzed.
this paper for the selection of Voltage and frequency for each
subsequent stator block of DSLIM espousing the advancing
mover.

III. D ESIGN OF DSLIM FOR WAYSIDE H YPER - LOOP

APPLICATION

Fig. 1. 2D double layer slot by slot winding model of DSLIM

The DSLIM under transient dynamic condition has been
evaluated for 27 blocks for motoring of 3.3 m each covering a
Length of 89.1 m plus four blocks of 3.3 m each for counter
current braking. The secondary mover is assumed to be a plate
of German Silver of 16 mm thickness and length of 6 m for 2D
model simulation. The thickness of core is 2 m. The blocks
have been energized with VVVF. In the present case each
block is assumed to have fixed voltage and fixed frequency and
have been decided. Here slot by slot winding (tooth winding)
have been assumed instead of distributed winding. The range
of frequency is 28 Hz to 170 Hz and range of phase RMS
voltage is 297 V to 1.662 kV.
Each slot is assumed to have two thick conductors of size. In
actual practice it will be made using insulated strip conductors
short circuited at both the ends for limiting the current density.
Fig. 2. Details of optimized Slot
Since blocks are ON for few cycles only, higher value current
density are used. The optimization of slot, yoke and distance The details of applied voltage (Fig. 3), applied frequency
between blocks have been done using ANSYS MAXWELL (Fig. 4) and duration of active period (Fig. 5) for each block
software. is reported.
The design details of double sided Linear Induction motor The blocks at initial starting position are ON for compara-
have been given in Table I. The typical FEM model of DSLIM tively larger duration of time as that of blocks at the finishing
for one block is shown in Fig. 1 and the detail of winding are zone. The blocks need to be switched ON for larger duration
given in Table II. of time in mid portion, as the thrust dips.
The optimization of slots was carried out in Maxwell and The 2D transient dynamic analysis has been carried out after
the details of slot is given in Fig. 2. properly selecting voltage and frequency. With the increase in

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 TABLE II
D ETAILS OF WINDINGS

Slot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
LS R -R Y -Y B -B R
US -B B -R R -Y Y
Slot 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
LS -R Y -Y B -B R -R
US -B B -R R -Y Y -B
Slot 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
LS Y -Y B -B R -R Y
US B -R R -Y Y -B B
Slot 22 23 24 25
LS -Y B -B
US -R R -Y Y

Fig. 5. ON time of different blocks (milli-sec)

Fig. 6. Thrust versus time

Fig. 3. Applied phase voltage (V) in different blocks
in thrust is rather delayed. The speed versus time and position
versus time are shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 respectively.
The speed close to desired speed is achieved. This may be
again brought to 102 m/s after proper selection of voltage and
frequency. The speed can be adjusted using Wayside Hyper-
loop control in conjunction with control provided on hyper-
loop pod. The speed varies smoothly and jerk in speed is not
seen here.

Fig. 4. Applied Frequency (Hz) in different blocks

time force increases and maximum force achieved is 4.65 MN

in 18 ms . The thrust does not go in negative direction with
German Silver when slot by slot winding are in use. Fig. 7. Speed versus time
Motoring: The initial speed is assumed to be zero, but
hyper-loop pod’s constant thrust of 160 kN is assumed. The This machine should be adopted for Wayside Hyper-loop
present simulation took a continuous computation on high manufacturing at final stage, although more studies are needed
speed server.The thrust versus time characteristics are shown for single layer slot by slot winding (tooth winding), compen-
in Fig. 6. sated winding with multi pole system with or without initial
The oscillating thrust during starting does not go in negative pod velocity. The R-phase current (Fig. 9) of single core of
direction and does not show any oscillatory response as has first block, thrust (Fig. 10), speed (Fig. 11) and position (Fig.
been observed with distributed winding of different slot per 12) with respect to time have been shown respectively for
pole per phase (SPP). The use of aluminum with slot by slot initial 420 ms. The peak current is around peak 168 kA (119
winding (tooth winding) also gives oscillatory thrust. When kA RMS) which settle to around 56 kA peak values (40 kA)
conducting sheet was replaced by German silver, oscillations RMS. The area of cross section of single conductor is 40 X 44

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 Fig. 8. Position versus time

sq mm, which will be realized with several strip conductors in Fig. 11. Speed Versus time
actual case as suggested in earlier reports. The current density
varies from 67.61 A/sq mm to 22.5 Amp per sq mm, the
latter is within 45 A per sq mm. The current density can be
further decreased using larger cross sectional area of coil or
by increasing the height of core or by increasing the clearance.
In actual practice, the Copper –Silver- Zirconium alloy is
suggested for winding, instead of Copper, so that winding can
withstand higher current and higher temperature.
The field overlay for first block is shown in Fig. 13. The
air gap flux density may be close to 1.2 T, which is slightly
on higher side.

Fig. 12. Position versus time

Fig. 13. Field Overlay of first block

Fig. 9. R-phase current in first block single LIM

Fig. 14. Thrust during plugging operation

braking blocks are energized with changed phase sequence

as mentioned earlier in Table 2. On application of reverse
phase sequence, Wayside Hyper-loop stopped motoring thrust
Fig. 10. Thrust versus time releasing the pod, leaving only 1800 kg mover for plugging
(braking) and reverse motoring. The mover comes to halt in
Braking: Once pod achieves 107m/s and plate enters into 51.66 ms in 3 m travel and starts reverse motoring ( to be
braking blocks, the supply to 27th block is cut off and all four reported later on). The thrust versus time, speed versus time

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 and frequency of blocks so as to avoid negative thrust during
it’s operation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Authors are thankful to the Department of Electrical Engi-
neering Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu Uni-
versity), Varanasi (India) for providing necessary facilities for
Fig. 15. Deceleration during plugging opertaion research work.
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of half that of distributed winding. However, these winding
have least overhang portion as that of distributed winding,
giving a better utilization of electrical power, larger current
for phase voltage as that of distributed winding, peak flux
density is also on higher as that of distributed winding. These
winding offer easy repair and replacement of coils on site.
Here slot by slot double layer three phase winding has been
used. In present work, way side Hyper-loop system, with
German Silver mover gives satisfactory performance. The use
of German Silver instead of Aluminium secondary results in
high resistance secondary where chances of thrust swings at
starting vanishes. It is expected that single layer slot by slot
winding will give even better performance of such machine.
The present studies need more work for single layer slot by slot
model of Wayside Hyper-loop. The controlled motoring thrust
for achieving 102 m/s in 90 m travel for different payload and
pod and deceleration during plugging can be further controlled
using trial and error method with proper selection of voltage

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