Adjustable Speed Coupling Technology was developed at Magna Force to expand the capabilities delivered by Fixed Gap Coupling Technology. These designs delivered many of the same benefits derived from Fixed Gap Coupling Technologies, with the added benefits of speed control. Speed control is achieved by applying slight variations to the air gap separating the two main coupling components, a magnet rotor containing the magnet array and a conductor made of copper or aluminum.
As the air gap is widened, the speed of the driven process equipment slows. Early testing and case studies verified that Adjustable Speed Couplings Technology can save as much as 66% of the motor systems energy demand and thousands of dollars of annual maintenance costs.
Adjustable Speed Coupling
Adjustable Speed Coupling
In January of 1999, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance awarded a total of $2.1 million in support of the market transformation of Magna Force, Inc.'s Adjustable Speed Coupling Technology through a phased contract for the Field Testing of Breakthrough Speed Control Technology on Fan, Pump and Blower Applications in NW Industrial and Commercial Applications.
In 2001, Adjustable Speed Coupling Technology was chosen as Technology of the Year in Industry Week Magazine's Ninth Annual Technology and Innovation Awards Program.
Fixed Gap Coupling
Reaction & Response
"The drives maintain the same 4800 GPM flow while reducing energy demand from 142 to 62 kW, this translates to a savings of over 700,000 kWh per year."
"The pump is slowed down, energy demand drops. This reduces energy costs by approximately $18,800 per year, and potentially reduces costly demand charges."
"The motor and coupling were downsized from 60 HP to 20 HP, reducing energy demand by nearly 28%."
"Vibration and shaking in the piping was eliminated, significantly reducing future maintenance and replacement costs."
"Duration of locked rotor current on start-up was reduced significantly, prolonging motor life and eliminating the possibility of voltage sags that disrupt electronic equipment."
"Pressure at the pivot is down to 40 pounds; reducing water consumption by 35%."
What are Permanent Magnets?
A permanent magnet is an object made from a material that is magnetized to create its own continuous magnetic field. A good permanent magnet should produce a high magnetic field with a low mass, and should be stable against the influences which would demagnetize it. Permanent magnets do not require an electrical current to make them work.
What are Rare-Earth Magnets?
Rare-earth magnets are strong permanent magnets made from alloys of rare earth elements. Developed in the 1970s and 80s, rare-earth magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets made and have significant performance advantages over ferrite or alnico magnets. The term "rare earth" can be misleading as these metals are not particularly rare or precious;they are about as abundant as tin or lead.
What are Electromagnetic Pros & Cons?
An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by the flow of electric current. The magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off. Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) are being studied for their negative health effects.
The main advantage of an electromagnet over a permanent magnet is that the magnetic field can be rapidly manipulated over a wide range by controlling the amount of electric current. However, a continuous supply of electrical energy and a complex system of sensors and controls are required to utilize the electromagnetic field. Outdated Electromagnetic Levitation for transportation systems is expensive to build, with energy supplies alone costing upwards of 20 million dollars per mile.
What is a Superconducting Electromagnet?
A superconductor is an electromagnet made from coils of superconducting wire cooled with liquid nitrogen to cryogenic temperatures (below −150 °C, −238 °F or 123 K) during operation. In its superconducting state the wire can conduct much larger electric currents than ordinary wire, creating intense magnetic fields. Superconducting magnets can produce greater magnetic fields than all but the strongest electromagnets and can be cheaper to operate because no energy is dissipated as heat in the windings. However, cryogenic cooling is expensive and requires constant maintenance. Making real-world transportation applications using superconductivity impractical.
What is a Pantograph-Catenary?
The devices used to transmit electrical energy from overhead lines or overhead wires to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point. These overhead lines are known variously as:
• Overhead contact system (OCS)
• Overhead line equipment (OLE or OHLE)
• Overhead equipment (OHE)
• Overhead wiring (OHW)
Overhead line is designed on the principle of one or more overhead wires or rails (particularly in tunnels) situated over rail tracks, raised to a high electrical potential by connection to feeder stations at regular intervals. The feeder stations are usually fed from a high-voltage electrical grid.
What are Electrified Third Rails?
A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost fully segregated from the outside environment. In most cases, third rail systems supply direct current electricity.
How is LEVX® Different?
LEVX® Transportation Systems require minimal energy that may be easily supplied by on-board sources, eliminating the cost and maintenance associated with outdated pantograph-catenary or third rail connections.
What is Magnetic Levitation?
Magnetic levitation, maglev (or mag lev), or magnetic suspension is a method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields. Magnetic levitation is used for maglev trains, magnetic bearings and wind turbines.
LEVX® uses strong rare-earth permanet magnets for maximum levitation. Permanent magnets are preferred for their strength and stability, require no maintenance, electrical current, sensors or controls.
What are Permanent Magnets?
A permanent magnet is an object made from a material that is magnetized to create its own continuous magnetic field. A good permanent magnet should produce a high magnetic field with a low mass, and should be stable against the influences which would demagnetize it. Permanent magnets do not require an electrical current to make them work.
What are Rare-Earth Magnets?
Rare-earth magnets are strong permanent magnets made from alloys of rare earth elements. Developed in the 1970s and 80s, rare-earth magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets made and have significant performance advantages over ferrite or alnico magnets. The term "rare earth" can be misleading as these metals are not particularly rare or precious;they are about as abundant as tin or lead.
What are Electromagnetic Pros & Cons?
An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by the flow of electric current. The magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off. Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) are being studied for their negative health effects.
The main advantage of an electromagnet over a permanent magnet is that the magnetic field can be rapidly manipulated over a wide range by controlling the amount of electric current. However, a continuous supply of electrical energy and a complex system of sensors and controls are required to utilize the electromagnetic field. Outdated Electromagnetic Levitation for transportation systems is expensive to build, with energy supplies alone costing upwards of 20 million dollars per mile.
What is a Superconducting Electromagnet?
A superconductor is an electromagnet made from coils of superconducting wire cooled with liquid nitrogen to cryogenic temperatures (below −150 °C, −238 °F or 123 K) during operation. In its superconducting state the wire can conduct much larger electric currents than ordinary wire, creating intense magnetic fields. Superconducting magnets can produce greater magnetic fields than all but the strongest electromagnets and can be cheaper to operate because no energy is dissipated as heat in the windings. However, cryogenic cooling is expensive and requires constant maintenance. Making real-world transportation applications using superconductivity impractical.
What is a Linear Motor?
A linear motor is an electric motor that has had its stator and rotor "unrolled" so that instead of producing a torque (rotation) it produces a linear force along its length. The most common mode of operation is as a Lorentz-type actuator, in which the applied force is linearly proportional to the current and the magnetic field.
What is a Linear Induction Motor?
The Linear Induction Motor use electrical current to create a moving electromagnetic field that works in conjunction with a copper or aluminum plate.
What is a Linear Synchronous Motor?
In Linear Synchronous Motors the copper or aluminum (used in linear induction motors) is replaced by permanent or electromagnets which are attracted to or repelled by an electrically generated magnetic field. In either case, electrical energy creates the driving and braking forces.
How is LEVX® Different?
We have developed our own proprietary linear drive for use in LEVX®. Magnetic discs rotate near an aluminum linear reaction rail mounted in the guideway. The rotation of the magnetic discs produces a powerful forward or backward force against the aluminum reaction rail moving the carriage along the passive magnetic guideway. These highly efficient magnetic forces are generated by the relative motion between the magnetic discs and the linear reaction rail. Safely creating eddy currents rather than electromagnetic currents. Carriage speed and direction are controlled by simply adjusting the speed and direction of rotation of the magnetic discs. Powerful non-contact primary braking forces are generated by stopping or reversing the direction of rotation of the magnetic discs. The energy required for propulsion and braking is just what is needed to rotate the magnetic discs.
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