TELMAGV
Encyclopedia
The TELMAGV is an ongoing research project which was born in the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) in 1967, and later continued by the Universidad de los Andes. From the beginning, an effort was made to involve the Venezuelan government in the research of electromagnetic trains. This idea was supported by the distinguished research scientist, Dr. Humberto Fernández Morán
, in 1989. The TELMAGV is a ground mass transport system that does not require mechanical friction for drive and guidance as conventional trains do.
reluctance motor
for drive, guidance and suspension. This motor uses the same forces that drive rotative motors, but without a mechanical transmission to apply the torque to the vehicle wheels. Instead, these forces are applied between the vehicle and the rail, reducing mechanical friction and wear. Also, the TELMAGV can climb steeper gradients than a conventional system because it does not depend on friction between wheel and rail for propulsion.
Although the TELMAGV's working principle is based on magnetic forces, it is not a Maglev system because the TELMAGV has an electric contact between the rail and the vehicle. The main reason for this is to have a passive rail (without coils), reducing the construction costs.
An example is the Caracas
– La Guaira
route that, in only 10 kilometres, climbs 800 metres. This route is critical because Venezuela's most important airport and port are located in La Guaira.
on December 28 of 2006, of TELMAGV's seventh scale prototype. The President was convinced about the benefits of this project and gave instructions to his Ministers of Poder Popular para la Insfraestructura (equivalent to Department of Transportation), Poder Popular para la Defensa (equivalent to Department of Defense), and IFE's chairman, to stop further railway contracts, join efforts and give funding. Support was to begin as early as possible for the construction of TELMAGV's first kilometer. It would be the first mass transport system completely made in Venezuela.
s or airplanes and the passengers can walk freely inside the carriage at any time regardless of the speed at which the train travels. Exposure to electromagnetic fields in the carriages of the TELMAGV is below the maximum level established by the World Health Organization
.
The Electromagnetic Train is one of the most environmentally friendly systems because it is a completely electrical system and does not create direct pollution. Also, the elevated monorail system and hill climbing capabilities guarantee a minimal environmental impact. This makes the system compatible with the fragile and rich Venezuelan ecosystems because this kind of track requires less earthmoving than conventional systems.
- La Guaira
, Caracas
- Valencia, La Ceiba - La Fría
- El Vigía, was a consequence of floods and landslides.
Imported railroads do not “reproduce” but, if Venezuela builds its own railroads, it can assure maintenance, expansion and improvement, and consolidate its technological sovereignty and independence.
Humberto Fernández Morán
Humberto Fernández-Morán Villalobos was a Venezuelan research scientist born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, renowned for inventing the diamond knife, significantly advancing the development of electromagnetic lenses for electron microscopy based on superconducting technology, and many other scientific...
, in 1989. The TELMAGV is a ground mass transport system that does not require mechanical friction for drive and guidance as conventional trains do.
Overview
The main idea of this system is to use a linearLinear motor
A linear motor is an electric motor that has had its stator and rotor "unrolled" so that instead of producing a torque it produces a linear force along its length...
reluctance motor
Reluctance motor
A reluctance motor is a type of electric motor that induces non-permanent magnetic poles on the ferromagnetic rotor. Torque is generated through the phenomenon of magnetic reluctance.A reluctance motor, in its various incarnations, may be known as a:...
for drive, guidance and suspension. This motor uses the same forces that drive rotative motors, but without a mechanical transmission to apply the torque to the vehicle wheels. Instead, these forces are applied between the vehicle and the rail, reducing mechanical friction and wear. Also, the TELMAGV can climb steeper gradients than a conventional system because it does not depend on friction between wheel and rail for propulsion.
Although the TELMAGV's working principle is based on magnetic forces, it is not a Maglev system because the TELMAGV has an electric contact between the rail and the vehicle. The main reason for this is to have a passive rail (without coils), reducing the construction costs.
Project background
In 1967, three IVIC investigators, inspired by Venezuela's complicated topography, initiated a research project about a more efficient traction system that could work on steeply-graded routes.An example is the Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
– La Guaira
La Guaira
La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region...
route that, in only 10 kilometres, climbs 800 metres. This route is critical because Venezuela's most important airport and port are located in La Guaira.
List of TELMAGV 1:10 scale prototypes
| Prototype 1 (1971) | |
|---|---|
| This was the first version developed in the IVIC. It consisted of a rotative reluctance motor that interacted with a lineal ferromagnetic band. | |
| Prototype 2 (1976–1980) | |
| First prototype developed in the Universidad de los Andes. The rotative motor was replaced by a linear motor. | |
| Prototype 3 (1981–1984) | |
| In this prototype improvements were made mainly in the control system. | |
| Prototype 4 (1985–1987) | |
| This prototype was presented at several expositions, INOVA 86, CADAFE (1987) and to the former Venezuelan President Jaime Lusinchi and his ministers in June 1987. The more important features of this prototype were: a better design, stiffer and lighter chassis and a more sophisticated electronic controller. | |
| Prototype 5 (1988–1991) | |
| This prototype was the result of three decades of research. It was designed and built in the Universidad de los Andes with contributions from Professors of the Faculty of Engineering. In addition to the further development of the control system (using microprocessors) and the vehicle's chassis, a great improvement of the rail also was made. | |
| Prototype 6 (1992–2005) | |
| Great improvements were made in the linear motor's control logic and a big circular test track of 86 metres perimeter was constructed. This allowed for greater speed tests. | |
| Prototype 7 (2006–2007) | |
| In the beginning of 2006, at the Comandancia General del Ejército, it was decided to support this project and make a proposal to the Venezuelan Government for the construction of the Caracas – La Guaira route. Improvements were made to the vehicles and the rails and the control system were totally redesigned. Also two new body types, a flat wagon and a tank wagon, were made to illustrate that this system could also be used for freight transport. |
Presentation to President Hugo Chavez.
General Raúl Isaías Baduel and the TELMAGV workgroup made a presentation to the Venezuelan President Hugo ChávezHugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
on December 28 of 2006, of TELMAGV's seventh scale prototype. The President was convinced about the benefits of this project and gave instructions to his Ministers of Poder Popular para la Insfraestructura (equivalent to Department of Transportation), Poder Popular para la Defensa (equivalent to Department of Defense), and IFE's chairman, to stop further railway contracts, join efforts and give funding. Support was to begin as early as possible for the construction of TELMAGV's first kilometer. It would be the first mass transport system completely made in Venezuela.
Safety
The electromagnetic trains are a safe mass transport system. Thanks to the motor's design, it is impossible for the train to be derailed. There is no need for seatbelts as in carČar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
s or airplanes and the passengers can walk freely inside the carriage at any time regardless of the speed at which the train travels. Exposure to electromagnetic fields in the carriages of the TELMAGV is below the maximum level established by the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
.
Environmental Benefits
For many years, trains have been the most environmentally friendly transport system. Furthermore, they are the only transport system that promotes economic growth because the investment in this kind of transport stimulates the development of new technologies. For these reasons, and to reduce traffic jams and pollution, research on cleaner, safer, faster and more efficient transport systems must be done.The Electromagnetic Train is one of the most environmentally friendly systems because it is a completely electrical system and does not create direct pollution. Also, the elevated monorail system and hill climbing capabilities guarantee a minimal environmental impact. This makes the system compatible with the fragile and rich Venezuelan ecosystems because this kind of track requires less earthmoving than conventional systems.
The future
It is likely that future railways, built on plains or in mountainous regions, will be elevated because this way the track is less vulnerable to floods and landslides produced by violent weather. The fate of the trains from CaracasCaracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
- La Guaira
La Guaira
La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region...
, Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
- Valencia, La Ceiba - La Fría
La Fría
La Fría is a town in Táchira, Venezuela. It is the capital of García de Hevia Municipality. It was founded in 1853....
- El Vigía, was a consequence of floods and landslides.
Imported railroads do not “reproduce” but, if Venezuela builds its own railroads, it can assure maintenance, expansion and improvement, and consolidate its technological sovereignty and independence.