Linear Induction Motor (LIM) for Hyperloop Pod Prototypes

Abstract

Mobility is one of the main dilemmas facing a sustainable, clean-energy future. How can people and cargo be transported over long distances, without expending large amounts of fossil fuel energies or producing a large carbon footprint? How can this be done quickly and efficiently? Finding a mode of transportation which is energy-efficient, inexpensive, and even offers passenger transport is the task which the Swissloop team is striving towards each day. We as a team are currently focused on building the first ever Swiss solution for the Hyperloop. We are proud to say that our Swissloop product aims to be the fastest form of ground transportation ever conceived. Swissloop’s long term vision is to find ways to propel its pod capsules at speeds in excess of 1,000 km/h or 600 mi/h, while at the same time, having the smallest impact possible on our environment. These incredibly fast, yet energy-efficient ground speeds are to be realized by means of a magnetic linear accelerator. Therefore, we at Swissloop are researching and developing a linear induction motor prototype to be the foundation for future high-speed linear propulsion drives for Hyperloop-like systems. Developing an efficient yet powerful Linear Induction Motor (LIM) is key to Swissloop’s future as a sustainable Hyperloop transportation company. Passenger and cargo capsules need to be accelerated via some form of a high-speed linear accelerator – and a LIM is believed to be one of the best options for such a system. Before such a feat can be accomplished, scalable prototype motors should be developed in the short to medium term to help understand and formulate future, more complex linear accelerator systems. Therefore, the aim of the thesis is to develop a prototype LIM – providing Swissloop with a first iteration of a sustainable and efficient, yet powerful linear drive system.