VAHLE energy solutions for the Transrapid
Cross-section of the VAHLE rail for the Transrapid
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The magnetic high-speed train travels along the track without touching it. It does so almost in silence, because
the Transrapid does not produces an of the wheel or driving noise associated with conventional trains. Only at speeds
beyond 200 kilometres an hour can a rushing sound be heard, caused by the aerodynamics. At these speeds, a normal Intercity
would already be twice as loud.
Propulsion for the magnetic highspeed hoverrail system is provided by a long stator linear motor whose three-phase motor winding is fitted into the grooves of the the stator packages. When the train is hovering and the motor is switched to "drive", the Transrapid is accelerated cantact-free by a moving electromagnetic field. To put it in another way, the lifting magnets take on the role of the "armature" in a three-phase current motor. To brake, the direction of the moving field is simply reversed. Once the Transrapid is under way, the magnetic fields of the advanced technology system simply pull the train along by themselves. But to generate these fields, the TR08 first needs energy from outside. This is the case whenever the speed of the futuristic vehicle falls below 100 km/h, i.e. especially at stations and in the servicing area. Here, the train gets the energy it need using equipment from VAHLE. At these points, conductor rails from Kamen provide the power supply to the high-tech railway. At the test circuit in Lathen, a total of some 4.2 kilometres of conductor rails, on which VAHLE has applied for a patent, have been installed parallel to the track. The rails have been specially developed for the needs of the Transrapid and are equipped with vibration-buffered insulated mounts - a tailor-made solution for a German high-tech development. |