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The patented permanent magnet suspension system allows LEVX® carriages to remain suspended above the guideway rail, without an energy source. LEVX® does not depend on system controls to maintain fail-safe, continuous levitation - whether in motion, or completely stopped.
LEVX® carriages are held in continuous energy free magnetic suspension above a truly passive guideway utilizing the patented LEVX® magnetic suspension system eliminating the need for heavy wheel and axle components. No energy, linear velocity, sensors or air gap management controls are required for LEVX® carriages to perpetually hover above the guideway. Perpetual defiance of gravity is achieved through simple magnetic repulsion that naturally occurs between like poles of permanent magnets.
Simple, magnet to magnet repulsion provides superior efficiency and lift potential compared to all other conventional maglev configurations. An early LEVX® prototype has been held in stable and continuous suspension for over 87,000 hours with no degradation of the air gap between the guideway and the suspended carriage. A second prototype with recycled magnets from two other test tracks has been similarly suspended for over 70,000 hours, again requiring zero energy to remain suspended over a guideway.
The patented LEVX® permanent magnet suspension system is the core technology that provides a quantum leap in transportation efficiency by eliminating the static drag caused by weight bearing wheels.
Carriages are suspended at a minimum of 1" above guideway rails at all times lessening the demand for perfect surfaces and tight construction tolerances that might otherwise increase engineering requirements and project cost.
Time Tested
" An early LEVX® prototype has been held in stable, continuous suspension for over 87,000 hours with no degradation of the air gap between the guideway and the suspended carriage. "
Jo Klinski, COO, CIPO
"The straightforward inventiveness, that is Jerry Lamb's hallmark, surprised me yet again... The LEVX® system provides passive, non-energy consuming suspension and guidance for vehicles. " Read Alan's report.
Alan Wallace, Professor of Engineering, Oregon State University
Perpetual, Energy Free
The concept of 2 magnets repelling against each other is not new. Many have attempted to create a stable relationship between the two opposing elements with no success. While the outcome achieved by Mr. Lamb seems quite simple, the science behind his success is not so obvious. The result of his work defies the assumptions of physicists and other experts around the world. His many years of practice in the art of magnetism and success with prior innovations gave him the knowledge and tools needed to create a lasting, stable, and strong configuration. Our success in patenting around the world, undergoing endless searches for prior art and working through detailed examinations underlines the true innovation in the LEVX® design.
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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