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Hyperloop 131209083131 Phpapp01

The Hyperloop is a proposed method of transport that would use pods traveling in low pressure tubes to move people or objects at airline speeds but at lower costs than existing modes of transport. Pods would accelerate via magnetic acceleration and glide above the tube surface on air skis. The concept was proposed by Elon Musk as a way to move people between Los Angeles and San Francisco in under 35 minutes at airline speeds but at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact of air travel or high speed rail. Major technical challenges include achieving stable levitation and acceleration of pods inside the low pressure tube.

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37 views16 pages

Hyperloop 131209083131 Phpapp01

The Hyperloop is a proposed method of transport that would use pods traveling in low pressure tubes to move people or objects at airline speeds but at lower costs than existing modes of transport. Pods would accelerate via magnetic acceleration and glide above the tube surface on air skis. The concept was proposed by Elon Musk as a way to move people between Los Angeles and San Francisco in under 35 minutes at airline speeds but at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact of air travel or high speed rail. Major technical challenges include achieving stable levitation and acceleration of pods inside the low pressure tube.

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shrutika
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HYPERLOOP

The Hyperloop

• A concept for a fifth mode of transport after


planes, trains, cars and boats.
• Cheaper, faster, less environmental footprint.
• Inflection point of about 1500 km after which air
travel becomes faster and cheaper.
Elon Musk

Founder of PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, SolarCity.

"When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is


possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is
impossible, he is very probably wrong".
-Clarke’s First Law
The Concept
• Low pressure tube with capsules that move back and forth
throughout the length of the tube.
• Accelerated via a linear magnetic accelerator.
• Supported on a cushion of air.
• Proposed route from Los Angeles to San Fransisco (approx. 560 km).
• To be covered in just 35 minutes, with capsules leaving end stations
every 2 minutes.
The Concorde Part
The Concorde Part
• Streamlined shape reduces drag.
• Low pressure in the tube (100 Pa) reduces drag further.
Problem of Choked Air Flow
• Kantrowitz limit gives the top speed for a given tube to pod area
ratio, above which flow will be choked.
• Build up of air in front of capsule and subsequent increase in
resistance.

• Fan and compressor in the front compresses this air and routes it
to the rear via a bypass tunnel.
• This air expands in the nozzle at the back, also providing additional
thrust.
The Rail Gun Part
The Rail Gun Part
• Magnetic linear accelerators present at various
locations – rotor on the capsule, stator fixed to the
tube.
• Route divided into sections with speeds of 300 mph,
555 mph, 760 mph.
• Maximum linear acceleration of 1g achieved while
accelerating from 300 to 760 mph.
• Smaller turning radius implies a lower speed, such
that centripetal acceleration is not more than 0.5g.
The Air Hockey Table Part
The Air Hockey Table Part
• Part of the compressed air is rerouted to air bearings.
• Known as external pressure (EP) bearing and effective
when capsule is stationary or moving at very high
speeds.
• Each ski is integrated into a mechanical suspension.
• 28 such air bearing skis.
• Additional lift is provided aerodynamically – front edge is
higher than the rear edge (at an angle of 0.05º).
• Viscous interactions generate pressure differential to
provide lift.
Advantages
• Safe
• Fast
• Low cost
• Immune to weather
• Energy saving
• Sustainably self-powering
• Resistant to earthquakes
• Not disruptive to those along the route
Major Concerns
• In some parts, total acceleration experienced by the
passenger will be more than 1g, taking the resultant of
linear and centripetal acceleration.
• Commercial aircrafts accelerate at approximately 0.25g,
roller coasters at (4-6)g.
• Uneven shear stress markings were seen on the outside
of the capsule body during simulation.
• Suggestion: Air bearings on top of the pod to improve
stability and help the pod stay balanced.
References
• http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/hyperloop_alpha-
20130812.pdf
• http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/hyperloop
• http://science.howstuffworks.com/rail-gun1.htm
• http://www.gizmag.com/hyperloop-musk-analysis/28672/
• http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-
explains/2013/08/economist-explains-12
• http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-18/elon-
musks-hyperloop-will-work-says-some-very-smart-software

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