Hyper loop powered trains!
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hyperloop-design-teenager/index.html
Nice idea and valid concept, but I think the present infrastructure is being given to much credit in some of the cost savings and it might be impossible to create a vacuum with an external connected arm. But it would be great to see her overcome those issues and put it in operation.
The arm is magnetically coupled to the “slug” in the tube… the other end is affixed to the train. No hole in the tube.
That said, would take a hell of a lot of magnetic force to couple to the train, the arm would have to overlap a lot more of the “magnetic slug” in the tube, and also the track reworked to allow the tube and track to stay in pretty good alignment.
Greg
I envisioned a larger magnet in the train to maintain the connection, as it were.
It’s always great to hear about teens interested in technology! It’s a valid concept, and a fun project to sketch, but I’m not convinced it’s better. The most attractive aspect of the hyperloop to me is getting the trains out of the environment and away from anything that could get in the way. If we’re going to go faster and faster you need to eliminate grade crossings, traditional trackwork, and also any risk of natural impediments such as downed trees, wildlife, and even bad weather.
I don’t expect true hyper loop speed either, but it could prove to be a more cost effective power source.
Wind resistance vs life in a vacuum, pick yer poison
And where is all the power to run this coming from? With our move away from coal, unless we re embrace nuclear power, which would take a long time to spin up, getting the electricity to power a mag-lev strong enough to move is going to outweigh any other savings. Side note , I live within 40 miles of one of the best as far as operation and low down time nuclear plants in the US . Palo Verde Station outside of Phoenix.
The basic tenents in the “tube train” designs, is either move the train with air or reduce drag with a lowered pressure ahead of the train.
With the train external, you still have wind resistance, rolling friction, and another thing not considered is grades.
The tube trains would use tunnels to keep grades down.
On the surface, the idea sounds sort of plausible, but it does not address the major energy losses that the “real” tube trains address.
Greg
Just think of how far Amtrak could throw them with that much speed.
Chris Kieffer said:
Just think of how far Amtrak could throw them with that much speed.
I can relate to that. Riding “The Crescent” there were MANY times I thought I would get thrown out of my bunk! If it had been a plane ride, everybody on board would have been frightened to death! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
You gotta love the ingenuity, but…but…but…