The idea for this project is to create efficient, cheap, and sustainable LIMs. So that hopefully with smarter and more energy-conscious LIMs we can speed up the innovation and implementation of high-speed transit in regions without it yet, such as Canada

Some questions I am currently thinking about:

• How can we make LIMs the most efficient, cheap and sustainable as possible so the public can get around faster and pollute the environment less?
  • ~40% of Canadians travel outside their cities to work, this contributes to most of the inter & intra-city traffic in Canada. How can we reduce intra-city traffic long-term in Canada?
• How can we maintain the public’s excitement and demand even after these new high-speed transit systems are built, so that demand for these systems is more than their cars?
  • How can we construct these systems to be dynamic to growing public needs?
• What does it take to get a long-term commitment from the government & public to create a consistent funding source for public transit?

For a more detailed description of the problem itself as it relates to extreme traffic, emissions, and the money and time lost from these both read my first memo: Accelerating the Progression of High-speed Rails in Canada by Improving Efficiency of LIMs. For clarity on how I began working on this project and why read my project summary memo: High-Speed Rail (HSR) & Hyperloop Motors. For all research gathered related to this project read my project hub: Aero, Maglev, Hyperloop & HSR stuff: Project Hub.

Basic workings of Linear Induction Motors (LIMs)

LIMs, Linear Induction Motors, work on the basis of induction, which simply means that a magnet moving near a wire makes electricity flow in that wire without ever touching it.

How LIMs work:

Send a changing electric current (changing in strength and direction) through the coils in the motor. The changing current circulating in the coils induces a changing magnetic field (also changing via strength & direction). This magnetic field makes contact with a piece of conductive metal above it in the secondary (moving part) and generates a second current that moves like eddy currents in a river on the surface of the secondary. Eddy currents induce a second changing magnetic field that repels causing the motor to levitate and propel forward.

[https://youtube.com/shorts/YHxQjgSxNV0](https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/adf2b4b6-ce74-4d2e-8033-6258ab7dd895/c6a51033-2c49-46ba-97b9-d33938d38d14/lim_animation.mp4)

https://youtube.com/shorts/YHxQjgSxNV0

FEMM sim of magnetic flux (pink=strong blue=weak)

FEMM sim of magnetic flux (pink=strong blue=weak)

The Problem With LIMs Is Their Energy Inefficiency: Inconsistent Magnetic Fields

LIMs suffer from “end effects” which are a group of phenomena that lead to inconsistencies of either too much, too little, or non-constant flow of magnetic fields induced from coils and eddy currents. If these fields are inconsistent we get too much or too little power output which results in energy losses and not going as fast as we could be.

End effects were the largest issue I found with the LIMs, though there are also a few other issues including winding resistance, complex control systems, overtime friction and wear leading to maintenance. Here is a mind map covering root causes: https://www.figma.com/file/wECBSylvjxe9IvR2gmoaN2/Root-cause-analysis-map-(redone)?type=whiteboard&t=nqNuerybxTJZ07QT-0

An Idea For a New Linear Motor That Would Eliminate End Effects

This is my newest idea for a LIM that would not be held back by end effects because it has no ends.