GOVERNMENT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

KALAHANDI BHAWANIPATNA
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

A
SEMINAR REPORT
ON
HYPERLOOP

GUIDED BY: SUBMITTED BY:

CHNDRA SEKHAR SARAN ABHIJIT PATRA
REGD. NO.:1601110142
CONTENT

1. Introduction

2. Historical Review

3. Working principle of Hyperloop

4. Construction features of Hyperloop

5. Tube

6. Capsule

7. Compressor Fan

8. Air Bearing

9. Propulsion

10. Suspension

11. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hyperloop

12. Present Work

13. Future Scope

14. Conclusion

15. References
1. INTRODUCTION
Hyperloop is a completely new mode of fastest transportation.
Hyperloop is firstly proposed by Elon musk and a team of
engineers from Tesla Motors and the Space Exploration
Technologies Corporation in August 2013. The concept of
hyperloop includes travelling people from one place to another
place in a capsule which is propelling at a very high speed. We
can also call hyperloop as a solar powered transportation
system and it is an alternative of high-speed train. Basically,
hyperloop is magnetically levitated train which runs inside a
long tube or pipe.
It consists of low-pressure tube with capsule that is
transported at both low and high speeds. It is driven by linear
induction motor and compressor. It includes 28 passenger
pods. For propulsion, magnetic accelerators will be planted
along the length of the tube, propelling the pods forward. The
tubes would house a low-pressure environment, surrounding
the pod with a cushion of air that permits the pod to move
safely at such high speeds, like a puck gliding over an air
hockey table. Given the tight quarters in the tube, pressure
buildup in front of the pod could be a problem. The tube
needs a system to keep air from building up in this way.
Musk’s design recommends an air compressor on the front of
the pod that will move air from the front to the tail, keeping it
aloft and preventing pressure building up due to air
displacement. A one-way trip on the Hyperloop is projected to
take about 35 minutes (for comparison, traveling the same
distance by car takes roughly six hours.) Passengers may enter
and exit Hyperloop at stations located either at the ends of the
tube, or branches along the tube length.
HISTORICAL REVIEW

Hyperloop concept was invented and designed in 1812 by the British

Mechanical Engineer George Wenger and later on polished by various people
like George Medhurst in 1827 and Alfred Ely Beach in 1869.

Concepts for high-speed trains in vacuum or evacuated tubes can be traced back
as far as 1909, when rocket pioneer Robert H. Goddard proposed high-speed
passenger-carrying pods traveling through evacuated tubes.

Bachelet introduced the core idea behind magnetically levitating trains as early
as 1910. Over the years these ideas have been further renamed, for instance by
the Rand Corporation in 1972 with their “Very HighSpeed Transport System”.

The concept of Hyperloop is now developed and redesigned by the billionaire

Elon Musk in 2012. Hyperloop is in some countries a registered trademark of
the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) for the highspeed
transportation of passengers and goods in partially evacuated tubes. Earlier, in
all types of transportation mode, we have encountered many accidents, cost
issues, comfort issues, affordability, conservation issues and environmental
issues. Hyperloop confront all the above point issues to provide better way to
future with help of modern science and engineering solutions.

Robert H. Goddard George Medhurst Elon Musk

Working Principle

Hyperloop is based on a principle of magnetic levitation. The principle of

magnetic levitation is that a vehicle can be suspended and propelled on a
guidance track made with magnets. The vehicle on top of the track may be
propelled with the help of a linear induction motor.

Fig-3.1.1: Working Principle of Hyperloop System

Working of hyperloop system is based on magnetic levitation principle. As we
know that the passenger pad travel through low pressure tube which is pylon-
supported tube.

In hyperloop system an air compressor fan is fitted on front side of pod which
sucks the air. It transfers high pressure air front side to the rear side of capsule
(pod) and it propel the pod. It creates the air cushion around the pod, so that the
pod is suspended in air within the tube.

On the basis of magnetic levitation principle, the pod will be propelled by the
linear induction motor. By the linear induction motor the capsule send from one
place to another place to a subsonic velocity that is slower than the speed of
sound.

The pod will be self-powered. There is solar panel fitted on top of the tube. By
this solar panel there is enough energy is stored in battery packs to operate at
night and in cloudy weather for some periods. The energy is also is stored in the
form of compressed air.

The air between the capsule acts as cushions to prevent two capsules from
colliding within the tube.

Fig-3.1.2: Air Through By-Pass Tunnel

In above figure it shown that the air through the compressor is send to a bypass
nozzle at the rear end of the capsule. If capsule cover too much area of the tube
then, the air is not flow around the capsule and ultimately the entire column of
air in the tube is being pushed ahead of the capsule and because of this there is
friction between the air and tube walls is increases tremendously. Therefore to
avoid this problem the compressor is fitted at the front of the capsule through
which the air is flow which will not flow around the capsule and send it to
bypass nozzle.
1. CONSTRUCTION FEATURES OF HYPERLOOP
4.1.1. 1. TUBE

The tube is made of steel. There are two tubes which are welded together side
by side configuration to allow the capsules travel in both directions. The tube
will be supported by pillars. Solar panel arrays are provided on top of the tubes
for the purpose of power to the system.

Fig-4.1.1: Construction of Tube

These tubes were theoretically meant to have vacuum inside them which should
remove any resistance offered by air in direction where train is travelling, but still
practically vacuum cannot be achieved for such a long track. Thus, capsule
consist of very low-pressure air which offers very negligible resistance.

But low pressure air doesn’t solve the problem wholly. While capsule is
travelling the air ahead of it get compressed and increase pressure offering
resistance to capsule giving rise to Kantrowitz limit, which can eventually stop
the train but this problem was solved by adding compressor fan on bow(front)
of train. The pressure in the tube is 100pa (equivalent to flying above 150,000
feet altitude). Pylons are placed every 30 m to support the tube.

A specifically designed cleaning and boring machine will make it possible to

surface finish the inside of the tube and welded joints for a better gliding
surface. In addition, safety emergency exits and pressurization ports will be
added in key locations along the length of the tube.

A tube wall thickness between 20 to 23 mm is necessary to provide sufficient

strength for the load cases considered in this study. These cases included, but
were not limited to, pressure differential, bending and buckling between pillars,
loading due to the capsule weight and acceleration, as well as seismic
considerations.

In order to keep cost to a minimum, a uniform thickness steel tube reinforced

with stringers was selected as the material of choice for the inner diameter tube.
Tube sections would be pre-fabricated and installed between pillar supports
spaced 100 ft (30 m) on average, varying slightly depending on location. This
relatively short span allows keeping tube material cost and deflection to a
minimum.

Fig-4.1.1: Simulation of tube and pillars

The cost of the tube is expected to be less than $650 million USD, including
pre-fabricated tube sections with stringer reinforcements and emergency exits.
4.1.2. 2. CAPSULE

For increasing speed and efficiency of capsules certain geometrical changes are
brought in capsule design by minimizing frontal surface area which makes it
more comfortable for passengers.

The vehicle is streamlined to reduce drag. Interior design was highly

concentrated for comfort of passengers. The seats are design as to nullify high
speed acceleration discomfort produced during the travel. Entertainment of
passengers are kept in mind and modern accessories are equipped to suffice also
passengers will be provided with access to landscape scenery.

Fig-4.1.2: Hyperloop Capsule

The maximum width is 1.35 m and maximum height is 1.10 m. With rounded
corners, this is equivalent to a 1.4 m^2 frontal area, not including any
propulsion or suspension components.

The aerodynamic power requirements at 700 mph (1,130 kph) is around only
100k with a drag force of only 320 N, or about the same force as the weight of
one oversized checked bag at the airport. The doors on each side will open in a
gullwing (or possibly sliding) manner to allow easy access during loading and
unloading. The luggage compartment will be at the front or rear of the capsule.

The overall structure weight is expected to be near 3,100 kg including the

luggage compartments and door mechanism. The overall cost of the structure
including manufacturing is targeted to be no more than $245,000.
 Fig-4.1.2: Capsule in Tube

Assuming an average departure time of 2 minutes between capsules, a minimum

of 28 passengers per capsule are required to meet 840 passengers per hour. It is
possible to further increase the Hyperloop capacity by reducing the time between
departures.

The current baseline requires up to 40 capsules in activity during rush hour, 6 of

which are at the terminals for loading and unloading of the passengers in
approximately 5 minutes. In order to optimize the capsule speed and
performance, the frontal area has been minimized for size while maintaining
passenger comfort.

The vehicle is streamlined to reduce drag and features a compressor at the

leading face to ingest oncoming air for levitation and to a lesser extent
propulsion. Aerodynamic simulations have demonstrated the validity of this
‘compressor within a tube’ concept.
4.1.3. COMPRESSOR FAN

Since need of vacuum was not sufficed in tube, capsule travelling in low
pressure tube accumulates air on its front side, which is further compressed by
motion of capsule, this compressed air will resist motion of capsule decreasing
its velocity, forming a choke inside the tube and eventually stopping it.

Fig-4.1.3: Compressor fan

Thus, hyperloop demands new innovation to solve this problem known as

Kantrowitz limit. Compressor fans were introduced to nullify effect of
Kantrowitz limit.

Compressor fans are installed on front of capsules. These fans suck the
accumulated compressed air from front of train and exhale it to air bearings.
Thus, resistance is removed and no further choking because of Kantrowitz limit
is caused.

One important feature of the capsule is the onboard compressor, which serves
two purposes. This system allows the capsule to traverse the relatively narrow
tube without choking flow that travels between the capsule and the tube walls
(resulting in a build-up of air mass in front of the capsule and increasing the
drag) by compressing air that is bypassed through the capsule. It also supplies
air to air bearings that support the weight of the capsule throughout the journey.
4.1.4. AIR BEARINGS

Friction was another major hurdle of hyperloop, which had only one solution to
remove any surface contact between capsule and tube i.e. capsule should be
levitating i.e. it should float in air.

Air bearings are installed on surface of capsules, the air inhaled by front of
capsule’s compressor fan is exhaled by air bearing providing it hovering and
levitation.

Air bearing also provide suspension to capsules so traveling is more smooth in

hyperloop.

Fig-4.1.4: Air Bearings

As the design process began, the Drexel team realized in order to excel in the
competition, they needed to overcome a few obstacles. Drawing on the work of
Elon Musk’s original vision, the team explored the intriguing possibilities of
leveraging air bearings to facilitate levitation for the POD.

Musk’s original concept for the Hyperloop consisted of a fleet of capsules

traveling at high speeds between Los Angeles and San Francisco through a low-
pressure tube. The capsules themselves would be supported on a cushion of air,
created by internal pressurization and aerodynamic lift. The essential
technology for the realization of that vision was the air bearing.
4.1.5. PROPULSION

Finally, hyperloop requires a propelling machine. And thus, linear induction

motor is used in hyperloop, the same motor used in tesla cars which in
hyperloop can produce velocity of 20000 meter per second. The moving motor
element (rotor) will be located on the vehicle for weight savings and power
requirements while the tube will incorporate the stationary motor element
(stator) which powers the vehicle.

The overall propulsion system weight attached to the capsule is expected to be

near 2,900 lb (1,300 kg) including the support and emergency braking system.
The overall cost of the system is targeted to be no more than $125,000. This
brings the total capsule weight near 33,000 lb (15,000 kg) including passenger
and luggage weight. The overall propulsion system weight attached to the
capsule is expected to be near 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) including the support and
emergency braking system. The overall cost of the system is targeted to be no
more than $150,000. this brings the total capsule weight near 57,000 lb (26,000)
kg including passenger, luggage, and vehicle weight.

Fig4.1.5: Propulsion

To accelerate and decelerate the capsule the linear induction motor is used in
hyperloop system. It provides some advantages over a permanent magnet motor.
To accelerate the capsules there is linear accelerators are constructed on a length
of the tube. Stators are placed on the capsules to transfer momentum to the
capsules via the linear accelerators.
4.1.6. SUSPENSION

Suspending the capsule within the tube presents a substantial technical

challenge due to transonic cruising velocities. Conventional wheel and axle
systems become impractical at high speed due frictional losses and dynamic
instability. A viable technical solution is magnetic levitation; however the cost
associated with material and construction is prohibitive. An alternative to these
conventional options is an air bearing suspension. Air bearings offer stability
and extremely low drag at a feasible cost by exploiting the ambient atmosphere
in the tube.
Air bearing suspension offers stability and extremely low drag at a feasible cost.
A stiff air bearing suspension is superb for reliability and safety. When there is a
gap between ski and tube walls is high then it shows the nonlinear reaction and
which results in large restoring pressure.

Fig-4.1.6: Suspension

Externally pressurized and aerodynamic air bearings are well suited for the
Hyperloop due to exceptionally high stiffness, which is required to maintain
stability at high speeds. When the gap height between a ski and the tube wall is
reduced, the flow field in the gap exhibits a highly non-linear reaction resulting
in large restoring pressures. The increased pressure pushes the ski away from
the wall, allowing it to return to its nominal ride height. While a stiff air bearing
suspension is superb for reliability and safety, it could create considerable
discomfort for passengers onboard. To account for this, each ski is integrated
into an independent mechanical suspension, ensuring a smooth ride for
passengers. The capsule may also include traditional deployable wheels similar
to aircraft landing gear for ease of movement at speeds under 100 mph (160
kph) and as a component of the overall safety system.
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
5.1.
HYPERLOOP

ADVANTAGES:

1. It saves the travelling time.

2. There is no problem of traffic.

3. It is powered by the solar panel.

4. It can travel in any kind of weather.

5. Cost of hyperloop is low.

6. Not disruptive to those along the route.

7. More convenient.

8. Resistance to earthquake.

9. Pollution Free

10. Light Weight

11. Weight ¼ for the Same Strength

12. Corrosion & Chemical Resistance

13. Excellent Elastic Properties

14. Extremely Strong

15. High Speed of 760mph

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Turning will be critical.

2. Less movable space for passenger.

3. High speed might cause dizziness in some passenger.

4. Punctured tunnel could cause shockwaves.

5. High Cost of Fabrication.

6. Complex repair procedure.

7. Compressive strength not dependable.

5.2. PRESENT WORK

Presently the idea of hyperloop was proposed for route between San Francisco,
California and Los Angeles in 35 minutes. This requirement tends to size other
portions of the system. Given the performance specification of the Hyperloop, a
route has been devised to satisfy this design requirement. The Hyperloop route
should be based on several considerations, including:

1. Maintaining the tube as closely as possible to existing rights of way.

2. Limiting the maximum capsule speed to 760 mph (1,220 kph) for
aerodynamic consideration.

3. Limiting accelerations on the passengers to 0.5g.

4. Optimizing locations of the linear motor tube sections driving the capsules.

5. Local geographical constraints, including location of urban areas, mountain

ranges, reservoirs, national parks, roads, railroads, airports, etc. The route must
respect existing structures.

For aerodynamic efficiency, the speed of a capsule in the Hyperloop is

typically:

 300 mph (480kmph) where local geography necessitates a tube bend radii
< 1.0 mile (1.6 km)
  760 mph (1220 kmph) where local geography necessitates a tube bend
radii > 3.0 mile (4.8 km) or where local geography permits a straight tube.

These bend radii have been calculated so that the passenger does not experience
inertial accelerations that exceed 0.5g. This is deemed the maximum inertial
acceleration that can be comfortably sustained by humans for short periods. To
further reduce the inertial acceleration experienced by passengers, the capsule
and/or tube will incorporate a mechanism that will allow a degree of ‘banking’.
The Hyperloop route was created by the authors using Google Earth.

Fig-5.2.1: map of present work path

5.3. FUTURE SCOPES

Hyperloop is a newborn technology since it is nothing like anything the design

for everything inside it is like invented for even a smaller entity. Thus,
Technology welcomes further development for inventors.

Hyperloop also conducted a worldwide competition for building it which would

award by building hyperloop in winning nation.

Hyperloop is considered an open source transportation concept. The authors

encourage all members of the community to contribute to the Hyperloop design
process. Iteration of the design by various individuals and groups can help bring
Hyperloop from an idea to a reality.

The inventors recognize the need for additional work, including but not limited
to:

1. More expansion on the control mechanism for Hyperloop capsules,

including attitude thruster or control moment gyros.
2. Detailed station designs with loading and unloading of both passenger
and passenger plus vehicle versions of the Hyperloop capsules.
3. Trades comparing the costs and benefits of Hyperloop with more
conventional magnetic levitation systems.
4. Sub-scale testing based on a further optimized design to demonstrate the
physics of Hyperloop.
CONCLUSION
The Train of future is reviewed in this paper. Hyperloop has two versions
namely passenger only and passenger plus vehicle hyperloop. This technology
can reduce travel time between Los Angeles and San Francisco up till 35
minutes. The price of one way trip would be as less as $20. Hyperloop is much
cheaper compared to railway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

On other hand passenger plus vehicle version would just cost more 25%. This
version would be capable of transporting passengers, vehicles, freight, etc. this
version is 11% more cheaper than proposed by rail system between Los Angeles
and San Francisco. Furthermore the hyperloop is at development stage in future
the price will be much lower than present price. A high speed transportation
system known as Hyperloop has been developed in this report. Hyperloop
transportation system can be used over the conventional modes of transportation
that are rail, road, water and air. At very high speed it provides better comfort
and cost is also low. By reducing the pressure of the air in the tube which
reduces simple air drag and enables the capsule to move faster than through a
tube at atmospheric pressure. As it has number of advantages it will very help
full for transport public as well as goods in a very short period of time (at a top
speed of 1220 kmph) and also in lower cost. It is a new concept so there is some
future work will be required for development of this project .Conventional
means of transportation (road, water, air, and rail) tend to be some mix-off
expensive, slow, and environmentally harmful. Road travel is particularly
problematic, given carbon emissions and the fluctuating price of oil. As the
environmental dangers of energy consumption continue to worsen, mass transit.
Rail travel is relatively energy efficient and offers the most environmentally
friendly option, but is too slow and expensive to be massively adopted. An
additional passenger plus transport version of the Hyperloop has been created
that is only 25% higher in cost than the passenger only version. This version
would be capable of transporting passengers, vehicles, freight, etc. The
passenger plus vehicle version of the Hyperloop is less than 11% of the cost of
the proposed passenger only high speed rail system between Los Angeles and
San Francisco. Additional technological developments and further optimization
could likely reduce this price.
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2013

[2] A. Kantrowitz, “Proceeding of International Conference of lasers ‘87” F. J.

Duarte, Ed. (STS Press, Mc Lean, VA, 1988).

[3] “Hyperloop One”. Hyperloop One. Retrieved November 25, 2016.

[4] Chin, Jeffrey C.; Gray, Justin S.; Jones, Scott M.; Berton, Jeffrey J. (January
2015). “Open source conceptual design for Hyperloop passenger pod”. 56th
AIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials
Conference. January 5–9, 2015. Kissimmee, Florida.

[5] Ahmed Hodaib, Samar, et al, international journal of mechanical, aerospace,

industrial, mechatronics and manufacturing engineering Vol:10 No:5, (May
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[7] Paper by Mark Sakowski, “The Next Contender in High Speed Transport
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[8] N. Kayela, editor of scientific and technical department, “Hyperloop: A

Fifth Mode of Transportation”, 2014.

[9] Mohammed Imran, international journal of engineering research, 2016

[10] Musk, Elon (August 12, 2013). "Hyperloop Alpha"(PDF). SpaceX.

Retrieved August 13, 2013.

[11]Compressor:https://patrickenewman.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/compress
oriso.png

[12] Operating principle of hyperloop

http://webjapan.org/kidsweb/hitech/maglev/images/004.jpg

[14] IEEE Journals

[15] IJERT journals.