Linear induction motors as `electromagnetic rivers¿

Conducting material, in both the solid and the liquid state, can be suspended above a.c. coil systems. It is shown how a rectangular plate, suspended by one such system, may also be propelled by the same system of currents which serve to suspend it, and that lateral guidance is then automatically built into the system. In early experiments which are described, over 90% of the input power to such a system was converted into heat in the process of suspension and guidance. Further inventions are then described, by means of which it is theoretically possible to convert the whole ofthe secondary input power to propulsion. It is concluded that such systems show promise for application to high-speed ground transport.