SkyTran MagLev is Simple
Since the 1930's several MagLev systems have been developed to technical perfection — but never to economic perfection All historical MagLev systems in the past used very expensive computer controlled active track and/or superconducting magnets to levitate, propel and brake. Malewicki's friend, Floyd Wyczalek, retired head of General Motors electrical vehicle advanced R&D projects (and who is known in transportation circles as "the" MagLev expert in the USA) introduced Doug to the Levi/Zibar breakthrough. That research was originally a highly classified part of the Space Defense Initiative (Star Wars) and gradually became declassified after SDI was cancelled.Malewicki initiated contact with Brooklyn Polytechnic professor, Enrique Levi, who has since retired as head of the Electrical Engineering department. Zivan Zibar, Enrique's partner and co-patentee in the Electromagnetic Rail Gun MagLev technology, is now the current department head. Their patented MagLev concept has some cost advantages because it uses a completely passive track in conjunction with non-exotic, readily available three phase, 60 Hertz electricity supplied to the vehicle itself for levitation, propulsion and stability. Levitation power requirements, however, in the Levi/Zabar system are very high, which is not desirable.
In 1992, Dr. Dan DeBra, a Stanford University Professor of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, introduced Doug Malewicki to the University of California's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's famed Fusion and Flywheel researcher, Dr. Richard F. Post. Doug spent time at LLNL visiting with Dr. Post that year and has kept in touch ever since. In May 1998, Doug found out that Dr. Post applied his flywheel passive magnetic bearing technology to a new form of passive MagLev which LLNL named INDUCTRACK. Now, after numerous discussions with INDUCTRACK inventor, Dr. Richard F. Post, and Advanced Technology Group Leader, J. Ray Smith, it was decided this was a much more promising technology for our lightweight, low speed application. SkyTran Inc. has initiated negotiations for an INDUCTRACK license with LLNL.
LLNL's preliminary calculations show that a 700 pound SkyTran vehicle traveling at 100 mph would only have a magnetic drag (same thing as rolling resistance of rubber tires on asphalt used to "levitate" autos) value of 408 watts. This is 0.54 Horsepower and is 68% of the .79 HP value Malewicki estimated in his 1991 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) People Pod paper for a vehicle that grossed in at 590 pounds (110 pounds LIGHTER!). This is equivalent to a super high pressure bicycle tire with a Rolling Coefficient of 0.3%!! The best 250 psi sewups ever measured were 0.5%! A car tire at 30 psi is typically 1% to 2%. For comparison purposes a 3,000 pound car traveling at 65 mph would be consuming between 3,900 and 7,800 watts (5.2 to 10.4 Horsepower) just in overcoming tire rolling resistance (the equivalent energy penalty for "levitating" the car with pressurized air).
The entire SkyTran system has undergone continual improvements in the interim to bring the simplest most reliable, low cost technologies to bear. In typical fashion, costs are prepared for all components/assemblies and after review, the most expensive items are attacked with creativity. Most recently a breakthrough has occurred in the way we plan to design the on-off boarding stations. The problem we finally solved to our satisfaction was how to maintain an adequate queue of empty vehicles for immediate boarding and still achieve extremely low capital costs, minimum land usage and easy, safe passenger access. Everything is coming together nicely and the concept makes even more economical and practical sense than it did even six months ago.
Present and Planned Steps for SkyTran
Steps necessary to take the SkyTran from its current status to market ready
Completion Objective
Milestone Accomplishment
Expand LLNL MagLev functional model: Straight line. Verify power usage, accel/decel control methods. Oval loop with two straights. Verify minimum radius of curvature capability. Oval with switch out and back in from a parallel track. Verify instantaneous 100% positive electromagnetic switching capability. Multiple vehicles running under independent control. Radio controlled to represent on board occupants’ decisions used to verify sensing and interaction. Multiple vehicles running under independent control with multiple switch off/on segments track and dwell efficiency. Verify merging software: A) sensing of acceptable gaps to start merge sequence and B) variable weight payloads. Full size mockup: Seating buck Verify comfort of basic shape. Working door and auto-locks Verify simplicity and reliability. Ingress and egress Verify convenience/ease. Finish and appearance Verify marketing acceptability. Wind tunnel tests Verify minimum aerodynamic drag configuration. Manufacturing methods Verify low cost and required tooling costs. Maintenance methods Verify toughness and simplicity. Pole placement: Foundation coring Verify methods, material and labor costs. Pole attachment robot Verify delivery truck plus one-man operation. Track forming: Track forming robot development. Verify maximum length capability and costs Laser alignment for programmed curves, hills, station drops. Verify versatility plus costs of materials and labor per mile along with equipment development costs. Electrical power: Main distribution and hookup to track Verify installation and potential power costs. Distribution and transfer to vehicle Verify transfer efficiency. Redundancy Verify on board backup power kick in and warnings. Station Mockups: single, dual, attached Develop full size prototypes. Verify strength, visual impact, and utility of dwell concept. Test access and function Verify access and function Test safety Verify safety Manufacturing methods Verify low cost and required tooling costs. Maintenance methods Verify toughness and simplicity. Destination selection kiosk: GPS vs map vs voice based selection. Verify easiest, fastest, user friendly method. Plastic SkyTran charge card loading for bills or coins. I like the Mobil gas station Fast Key automatic billing (90% of users). Cashless. Also need onboard method to change one's mind for final destination. Here is where voice control may be optimum for the future. Just physically touch a "command" button to awake voice sensor. Ignores regular conversation.
