Investigation of long primary linear motor types and topologies for a vacuum transport application

Hyperloop is the next evolution of rail-based transportation, combining the speed of aircraft and the efficiency of the railway industry. EuroTube is focusing on the implementation of hyperloop infrastructure, with the first step being the DemoTube test track in Dübendorf, Switzerland and the next one being a 3km test track (AlphaTube) in canton Valais, Switzerland. In AlphaTube, test vehicles will be propelled by a track mounted, long primary linear electric motor. In this master thesis, the student will investigate different linear motor types and topologies for the future 3km AlphaTube vacuum transport demonstrator. The track-side (long primary) motor will be 400m long and will propel the vehicle to 900km/h, reaching a peak power of 10MW. Possible motor types of interest are the permanent magnet synchronous motor and the synchronous reluctance motor, while both double-sided and single-sided topologies can be investigated. The designs will be compared to the existing linear induction motor design of EuroTube for efficiency, cost and optimal usage of materials. The motor designs should be verified in a 2D or 3D finite element analysis software.

Hyperloop is the next evolution of rail-based transportation, combining the speed of aircraft
and the efficiency of the railway industry. EuroTube is focusing on the implementation of
hyperloop infrastructure, with the first step being the DemoTube test track in Dübendorf,
Switzerland and the next one being a 3km test track (AlphaTube) in canton Valais, Switzerland.
In AlphaTube, test vehicles will be propelled by a track mounted, long primary linear electric
motor.
In this master thesis, the student will investigate different linear motor types and topologies for
the future 3km AlphaTube vacuum transport demonstrator. The track-side (long primary) motor
will be 400m long and will propel the vehicle to 900km/h, reaching a peak power of 10MW.
Possible motor types of interest are the permanent magnet synchronous motor and the
synchronous reluctance motor, while both double-sided and single-sided topologies can be
investigated. The designs will be compared to the existing linear induction motor design of
EuroTube for efficiency, cost and optimal usage of materials. The motor designs should be
verified in a 2D or 3D finite element analysis software.

Internal supervisor Prof. Dr. Jürgen Biela, HPE lab, External supervisor Ioannis Stavropoulos, R&D Electrical Hardware Engineer, EuroTube

Internal supervisor Prof. Dr. Jürgen Biela, HPE lab, External supervisor Ioannis Stavropoulos, R&D Electrical Hardware Engineer, EuroTube

Literature review on linear electric motors, Derivation of the equivalent electrical circuit and hardware, Finite element analysis of different motor types and topologies, Summary of the results and compilation of a written report

Literature review on linear electric motors, Derivation of the equivalent electrical circuit and hardware, Finite element analysis of different motor types and topologies, Summary of the results and compilation of a written report

Electrical engineering student, Knowledge of electrical motors, High motivation and interest in the topic, Able to work independently and be creative, Experience or interest in learning circuit simulation and finite element analysis tools

Electrical engineering student, Knowledge of electrical motors, High motivation and interest in the topic, Able to work independently and be
creative, Experience or interest in learning circuit simulation and finite element analysis tools

Dr. Jürgen Biela

Dr. Jürgen Biela