Power Distribution System for a Hyperloop Pod
(Capstone Project - led a team of six multidisciplinary engineers, supervised by Prof. Trescases, UofT & industry partner with Porsche)
Overview
I led a team of six engineers to design and build a complete power distribution network for a small-scale Hyperloop pod (Magnetic Levitation Train). Hyperloop is an emerging high-speed transportation concept where magnetically propelled pods travel through vacuum-sealed tubes. Our goal was to deliver safe, efficient power to all onboard systems while meeting strict reliability standards.
What We Built
Everything was designed and implemented from the ground up:
- A high-voltage battery pack for propulsion and a low-voltage battery for startup and emergency shutdown
- A DC/DC converter and modular power distribution boards to step down voltage for sensors and controllers
- Industry-standard communication systems so subsystems could share data securely
- A battery management system with live monitoring for temperature, current, and voltage
- A graphical interface to visualize power usage and sensor data in real time
We also installed sensors throughout the pod to monitor performance and safety during operation.
Result
The system met all design requirements and was rigorously tested for safety and reliability. It provided stable, monitored power to every component of the pod, giving the team a solid foundation for future Hyperloop research and prototypes.
