MuLTi ARTICULATED VEHICLE BASED ON SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETIC

LEVITATION

Field of Invention

The present invention describes a multi articulated vehicle for cargo and passengers transportation, in which said vehicle magnetically levitates over an adequate rail, and is composed of small modules, being able to perform sharp turns.

Background of the Invention Superconductivity

A superconductor material is characterized by presenting no electrical resistance and by the null magnetic field inside the material. This second condition, also known as the "Meissner effect", can be easily demonstrated by experiments where a permanent magnet levitates over the superconductor's surface. The magnetic field lines do not enter in the superconductor that behaves as if another identical magnet were inside the material. Therefore, the magnet suffers a repulsion that cancels its weight and "levitates" over the superconductor.

Two types of superconductors are known: type I ₁ in which the "Meissner effect" is full and type II, in which there is a small intersection between the magnetic field lines. Maalev The "Magnetically Levitating Transport System" (Maglev) is a transportation system that hovers, guides and thrusts vehicles, mainly trains, by using electromagnetic forces. Due to the fact that they are not compatible with conventional railroad systems, Maglevs must be designed from scratch, including not only vehicle but also the tracks, which are specially designed for magnetic levitation and propulsion. In addition to that, route and inclination stabilization is necessary and translational or lateral movements can cause serious problems.

Earnshaw's theorem shows that any static magnet combination may not be stable, requiring advanced electronic control systems for stabilization. Specifically for high critical temperature superconducting ceramic materials,

Maglev is stable. For other forms, such as electromagnetic or electrodynamic systems, a complex monitoring system must be present.

The patent literature contains several documents disclosing magnetic levitation systems as transportation means. Document US 5,317,976 describes a non-modular transportation system in which the magnetic levitation occurs through a cryostat and coil, also responsible for displacement and control. The present invention differs from this document by being composed of several modules and an electric motor for movement, being the cryostat (which houses the superconductors) responsible for levitation only.

Document US 2007/0089636 discloses a non-modular transport system for urban use based on magnetic levitation of magnetic discs that interact with the tracks. The present invention differs from this document by being composed of interconnected modules and the magnetic levitation occuring by means of cryostats and magnets instead of magnetic discs.

Document WO 1993/19965 discloses a building method of a conventional train in which the chassis and hull are separately manufactured and then assembled directly, thus forming the complete vehicle. The present invention differs from this document by having a whole modular unit as result of the chassis and hull assembly instead of a complete vehicle. The present invention also differs from the prior art by having electric propulsion and levitation by means of cryostats, which house the superconductors, and magnets, both not cited in the prior art.

Therefore, no prior art document that could suggest and/or anticipate de objects of the present invention was found. Summary of the Invention

The present invention's objects are the manufacture, assembly and operation of devices, known from prior art, that allow the construction of trains based on the "Meissner effect" of High-Temperature Superconductors - HTS. The present system comprises a standard base which preferably comprises cryostats filled with liquid nitrogen (-196 ⁰ C), linear motor components, retractable wheels and space for optional accessories. Above this base a compartment for passengers and cargo is installed, connected by special rubber connectors, forming a multi articulated train - Maglev Cobra - allowing it to perform sharp turns, resembling a snake's movement.

The development of this application results from researches on the economic advantages of a vehicle capable of travelling on magnetic tracks, wherein the weight is distributed throughout its length, instead of being focused on the axis, such as in terrestrial transports (roads and railroads). This configuration allows smaller tracks and thus lesser production and maintenance costs. Another economic advantage is the low energy cost due to nonexistence of friction with the surface.

The advantages are not limited to the economic level. Environmental advantages are also present, such as absence of atmospheric pollutants emission and safety advantages when compared to similar levitation solutions, due to the fact that the present invention is stable and does not need optic- electronic position monitoring or lateral coils for guidance, used in electromagnetic and electrodynamic solutions respectively. The gradual loss of levitation properties due to possible nitrogen cooling problems also contributes to the safety in view of the available prior art.

It is an object of the invention a multi articulated vehicle based on magnetic levitation comprising: a) a base comprising: i) superconducting material; ii) means for cooling the superconducting material; iii) means for linear displacement b) a transport compartment for transporting cargo and/or passengers; and c) connecting means for connecting transportation compartments; wherein the weight of the compartment is distributed over the entire base. It is a further object of the invention a multi articulated vehicle based on magnetic levitation capable of performing sharp turns, suitable for urban areas.

This and other objects of the invention will be readily appreciated from the detailed description below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows the base responsible for levitation in perspective, wherein in (1) the transportation compartment for passenger and cargo is placed. It is also possible to see the cryostat (2), comprising blocks of superconductors cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature, the coils and other devices of the linear motor (3), mechanical system comprising the retractable wheels and braking means (4). The whole base levitates over the magnetic field produced by the Neodymium-lron-Boron permanent magnets (5) installed inside the track (6) and protected by protections means (7) that also contains the power cable and is attached to the track's surface that comprises an induction plate (8), forming the secondary of the linear motor.

Figure 2 shows the transportation compartment (10) comprising seats longitudinally arranged mounted onto the levitation base (9), in perspective.

Figure 3 shows the connector for interconnecting the modules (11) comprising a rubber body (12), with an internal steel structure (13) wherein bolts (14) and screws, glues and other similar solutions, connect the wall of each module to this flexible device, which comprises spaces (15) that allow for controlled deformation.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a train with four transportation compartments, being two passenger modules (17) and two command modules (16), travelling in a track (18). The cargo distribution allows a weight % less when compared to the same cargo on wheels, wherein the modules are connected by rubber connectors (19).

Detailed Description of the Invention The following examples are meant only to illustrate a few of the several possible embodiments of the present invention, and therefore should not limit the scope of protection.

Multi articulated vehicle

The multi articulated vehicle of the present invention is composed of a base responsible for linear displacement and magnetic levitation, transportation compartment and connecting means. Specifically, the vehicle is composed of: a) a base comprising: i) superconducting material; ii) means for cooling the superconducting material; iii) means for linear displacement b) a transportation compartment for transporting cargo and/or passenger; and c) connecting means for connecting transportation compartment; wherein the weight of the compartment is distributed over the entire base. According to the present invention, suitable superconducting materials are those classified as high-temperature superconductors - HTS ₁ i.e. materials that have a superconducting transition temperature above 3OK. Examples of such include, without limitation copper-oxide superconductors such as YBCO and BSCCO. Since the superconductive material only exhibits superconducting properties in low temperatures, such as -196 ⁰ C, they need to be cooled down in order to attain said property. The most common means for cooling the superconducting material is to put it into liquid nitrogen.

Suitable means for linear displacement include, without limitation, linear motors, which are alternating current electric motor that has had its stator unrolled, thus producing a linear force along its length. Any conductor, be it a loop, a coil or simply a metal plate, that is placed in a magnetic field will have currents induced in it, creating opposing magnetic field, which repeal each other, forcing the conductor away from the stator, in the direction of the moving magnetic field. The transportation compartment is a compartment adapted to carry passenger and/or cargo. It may comprise therefore seats, windows, doors, poles and any equipment known in the state of the art. The passengers compartment may also be a command module, comprising means for operating the train. Since the weight is easily handled by the base, the length of the compartment can be smaller than conventional trains, thus allowing sharp turns to be made and being excellent for urban areas. It also enables the vehicle to climb up and down hills containing inclinations up to 15%, which is 3 times steeper that the conventional trains, that travels in inclinations of 4%.

The connectors of the present invention are connectors that allow the sharp turns to be performed correctly, and its shape allows a controlled deformation. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber comprises spaces for this controlled deformation.

Suitable connectors are made of elastic material that can endure deformation, such as rubbers known in the state of the art. It also contains an internal steel structure, that acts as reinforcement for the connector. The connector may be attached to the transportation compartment by any known means such as bolts, screws, adhesives.

The vehicle additionally comprises safety means, such as retractable wheels and brakes. The retractable wheels are meant to be used only in the event of loss of superconductivity, such as the warming up of the superconducting material, ceasing the magnetic levitation. The wheels will be used to avoid the contact of the cryostat and the permanent magnet. It is also present brakes for breaking both the linear motor and the retractable wheels.

The entire magnetic levitation system is monitored and controlled by several elements, able to gather, transmit and interpret the relevant information. The monitoring system is mainly concerned with the correct functioning of the cryostat (cooling system) and braking system, and is monitored by electrical cables, sensors, softwares and suitable interfaces