Magnetic Propulsion Engine

Mankind’s search for a better future has pushed him to develop ideas and come up with discoveries that are greater than life. Ever since time immemorial, the use of technology has proven its importance and advantages in improving mankind’s way of living. Ideas that were at first just scribbles in pieces of papers were realized and are now very much enjoyed by humanity. One of the principles that mankind has dreamed of before was the use of magnetic propulsion engine. The concept was first brought into paper by a writer John Munro. His fictional writing has given man an inspiration and has triggered some brilliant minds to make the fiction become reality.

Magnetic propulsion engine makes use of the principle of electromagnetic propulsion. This is the principle behind the acceleration of an object with the use of a flowing electrical current and magnetic fields. The current is utilized in the generation of an opposing magnetic field. As the current runs through a conductor in the magnetic field, Lorentz force pushes the conductor in a perpendicular direction.  The repulsing force causes the thrust in the system.

Several years after John Munro brought the idea of magnetic propulsion engine in his novel “A Trip to Venus”, succeeding developments were made the some of the world’s brilliant minds. Elihu Thomson’s work on electromagnetic waves and alternate current was the very first recorder discovery related to magnetic propulsion. A few years later after Thomson’s works, Emile Bachelet proposed an idea of lifting a metal cage in the air above modern railways. Then in the year 1960, the very first linear induction motor was built. It was in this development that the practical applications of electromagnetic propulsion were based on. The very first patent of maglev transportation system was developed by two gentlemen, James Powell and Gordon Danby. Their work then inspired other engineers and inventors to come up with a better version of the patent. Then between the years 1984 and 1995, the very first commercial maglev system ran in Birmingham. The system still ran at a low speed during that time and it ran from Birmingham International Airport up to Birmingham Railway System.

Today, there are hundreds of magnetic propulsion engine being utilized for better transportation. The principle of electromagnetic propulsion was vast and was used in other areas like orbing satellites. Same concept is also used in roller coasters and water rides.