Aerodynamic Features of High-Speed Maglev Trains with Different Marshaling Lengths Running on a Viaduct under Crosswinds

The safety and stability of high-speed maglev trains traveling on viaducts in crosswinds critically depend on their aerodynamic characteristics.Therefore,this paper uses an improved delayed detached eddy simulation(IDDES)method to investigate the aerodynamic features of high-speed maglev trains with different marshaling lengths under crosswinds.The effects of marshaling lengths(varying from 3-car to 8-car groups)on the train’s aerodynamic performance,surface pressure,and the flow field surrounding the train were investigated using the three-dimensional unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes(N-S)equations.The results showed that the marshaling lengths had minimal influence on the aerodynamic performance of the head and middle cars.Conversely,the marshaling lengths are negatively correlated with the time-average side force coefficient(CS)and time-average lift force coefficient(Cl)of the tail car.Compared to the tail car of the 3-car groups,the CS and Cl fell by 27.77%and 18.29%,respectively,for the tail car of the 8-car groups.It is essential to pay more attention to the operational safety of the head car,as it exhibits the highest time average CS.Additionally,the mean pressure difference between the two sides of the tail car body increased with the marshaling lengths,and the side force direction on the tail car was opposite to that of the head and middle cars.Furthermore,the turbulent kinetic energy of the wake structure on the windward side quickly decreased as marshaling lengths increased.

Disturbance rejection tube model predictive levitation control of maglev trains

Magnetic levitation control technology plays a significant role in maglev trains.Designing a controller for the levitation system is challenging due to the strong nonlinearity,open-loop instability,and the need for fast response and security.In this paper,we propose a Disturbance-Observe-based Tube Model Predictive Levitation Control(DO-TMPLC)scheme combined with a feedback linearization strategy for the levitation system.The proposed strategy incorporates state constraints and control input constraints,i.e.,the air gap,the vertical velocity,and the current applied to the coil.A feedback linearization strategy is used to cancel the nonlinearity of the tracking error system.Then,a disturbance observer is implemented to actively compensate for disturbances while a TMPLC controller is employed to alleviate the remaining disturbances.Furthermore,we analyze the recursive feasibility and input-to-state stability of the closed-loop system.The simulation results indicate the efficacy of the proposed control strategy.

Physical modeling of long-term dynamic characteristics of the subgrade for medium-low-speed maglevs

To investigate the dynamic characteristics and long-term dynamic stability of the new subgrade structure of medium-low-speed(MLS)maglevs,cyclic vibration tests were performed under natural and rainfall conditions,and the dynamic response of the subgrade structure was monitored.The dynamic response attenuation characteristics along the depth direction of the subgrade were compared,and the distribution characteristics of the dynamic stress on the surface of the subgrade along the longitudinal direction of the line were analyzed.The critical dynamic stress and cumulative deformation were used as indicators to evaluate the long-term dynamic stability of the subgrade.Results show that water has a certain effect on the dynamic characteristics of the subgrade,and the dynamic stress and acceleration increase with the water content.With the dowel steel structure set between the rail-bearing beams,stress concentration at the end of the loaded beam can be prevented,and the diffusion distance of the dynamic stress along the longitudinal direction increases.The dynamic stress measured in the subgrade bed range is less than 1/5 of the critical dynamic stress.The postconstruction settlement of the subgrade after similarity ratio conversion is 3.94 mm and 7.72 mm under natural and rainfall conditions,respectively,and both values are less than the 30 mm limit,indicating that the MLS maglev subgrade structure has good long-term dynamic stability.

Current status and reflection on the development of high-speed maglev transportation

Purpose–High-speed maglev technology can address the issues of adhesion,friction,vibration and highspeed current collection in traditional wheel-rail systems,making it an important direction for the future development of high-speed rail technology.Design/methodology/approach–This paper elaborates on the demand and significance of developing high-speed maglev technology worldwide and examines the current status and technological maturity of several major high-speed maglev systems globally.Findings–This paper summarizes the challenges in the development of high-speed maglev railways in China.Based on this analysis,it puts forward considerations for future research on high-speed maglev railways.Originality/value–This paper describes the development status and technical maturity of several major high-speed maglev systems in the world for the first time,summarizes the existing problems in the development of China’s high-speed maglev railway and on this basis,puts forward the thinking of the next research of China’s high-speed maglev railway.

A study on aerodynamic noise characteristics of a high-speed maglev train with a speed of 600 km/h

Purpose–This study aims to explore the formation mechanism of aerodynamic noise of a high-speed maglev train and understand the characteristics of dipole and quadrupole sound sources of the maglev train at different speed levels.Design/methodology/approach–Based on large eddy simulation(LES)method and Kirchhoff–Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings(K-FWH)equations,the characteristics of dipole and quadrupole sound sources of maglev trains at different speed levels were simulated and analyzed by constructing reasonable penetrable integral surface.Findings–The spatial disturbance resulting from the separation of the boundary layer in the streamlined area of the tail car is the source of aerodynamic sound of the maglev train.The dipole sources of the train are mainly distributed around the radio terminals of the head and tail cars of the maglev train,the bottom of the arms of the streamlined parts of the head and tail cars and the nose tip area of the streamlined part of the tail car,and the quadrupole sources are mainly distributed in the wake area.When the train runs at three speed levels of 400,500 and 600 km$h1,respectively,the radiated energy of quadrupole source is 62.4%,63.3%and 71.7%,respectively,which exceeds that of dipole sources.Originality/value–This study can help understand the aerodynamic noise characteristics generated by the high-speed maglev train and provide a reference for the optimization design of its aerodynamic shape.

Motion stability of high-speed maglev systems in consideration of aerodynamic effects: a study of a single magnetic suspension system

In this study, the intrinsic mechanism of aerodynamic effects on the motion stability of a high-speed maglev system was investigated. The concept of a critical speed for maglev vehicles considering the aerodynamic effect is proposed. The study was carried out based on a single magnetic suspension system, which is convenient for proposing relevant concepts and obtaining explicit expressions. This study shows that the motion stability of the suspension system is closely related to the vehicle speed when aerodynamic effects are considered. With increases of the vehicle speed, the stability behavior of the system changes. At a certain vehicle speed,the stability of the system reaches a critical state, followed by instability. The speed corresponding to the critical state is the critical speed. Analysis reveals that when the system reaches the critical state, it takes two forms, with two critical speeds, and thus two expressions for the critical speed are obtained. The conditions of the existence of the critical speed were determined, and the effects of the control parameters and the lift coefficient on the critical speed were analyzed by numerical analysis. The results show that the first critical speed appears when the aerodynamic force is upward,and the second critical speed appears when the aerodynamic force is downward. Moreover, both critical speeds decrease with the increase of the lift coefficient.

Aerodynamic simulation of evacuated tube maglev trains with different streamlined designs

Based on the Navier-Stokes （N-S） equations of incompressible viscous fluids and the standard k-ε turbu- lence model with assumptions of steady state and two dimensional conditions, a simulation of the aerodynamic drag on a maglev train in an evacuated tube was made with ANSYS/FLOTRAN software under different vacuum pressures, blockage ratios, and shapes of train head and tail. The pressure flow fields of the evacuated tube maglev train under different vacuum pressures were analyzed, and then compared under the same blockage ratio condition. The results show that the environmental pressure of 1 000 Pa in the tube is the best to achieve the effect of aerodynamic drag reduction, and there are no obvious differences in the aerodynamic drag reduction among different streamline head shapes. Overall, the blunt-shape tail and the blockage ratio of 0.25 are more efficient for drag reduction of the train at the tube pressure of 1 000 Pa.

Communication simulation of on-board diagnosis network in high-speed Maglev trains

The on-board diagnosis network is the nervous system of high-speed Maglev trains, connecting all controller sensors, and corresponding devices to realize the information acquisition and control. In order to study the on-board diagnosis network＇s security and reliability, a simulation model for the on-board diagnosis network of high-speed Maglev trains with the optimal network engineering tool （OPNET） was built to analyze the network＇s performance, such as response error and bit error rate on the network load, throughput, and node-state response. The simulation model was verified with an actual on-board diagnosis network structure. The results show that the model results obtained are in good agreement with actual system performance and can be used to achieve actual communication network optimization and control algorithms.

The approach to calculate the aerodynamic drag of maglev train in the evacuated tube

In order to study the relationships between the aerodynamic drag of maglev and other factors in the evacuated tube, the formula of aerodynamic drag was deduced based on the basic equations of aerodynamics and then the calculated result was confirmed at a low speed on an experimental system developed by Superconductivity and New Energy R＆D Center of South Jiaotong University. With regard to this system a high temperature superconducting magnetic levitation vehicle was motivated by a linear induction motor （LIM） fixed on the permanent magnetic guideway. When the vehicle reached an expected speed, the LIM was stopped. Then the damped speed was recorded and used to calculate the experimental drag. The two results show the approximately same relationship between the aerodynamic drag on the maglev and the other factors such as the pressure in the tube, the velocity of the maglev and the blockage ratio. Thus, the pressure, the velocity, and the blockage ratio are viewed as the three important factors that contribute to the energy loss in the evacuated tube transportation.

Experimental investigation on vibration characteristics of the medium-low-speed maglev vehicle-turnout coupled system

The steel turnout is one of the key components in the medium–low-speed maglev line system.However,the vehicle under active control is prone to vehicle–turnout coupled vibration,and thus,it is necessary to identify the vibration characteristics of this coupled system through field tests.To this end,dynamic performance tests were conducted on a vehicle–turnout coupled system in a medium–low-speed maglev test line.Firstly,the dynamic response data of the coupled system under various operating conditions were obtained.Then,the natural vibration characteristics of the turnout were analysed using the free attenuation method and the finite element method,indicating a good agreement between the simulation results and the measured results;the acceleration response characteristics of the coupled system were analysed in detail,and the ride quality of the vehicle was assessed by Sperling index.Finally,the frequency distribution characteristics of the coupled system were discussed.All these test results could provide references for model validation and optimized design of medium–low-speed maglev transport systems.

H infinity Control for Sandwiched Maglev Stage with Dynamic Damping

An H infinity(H∞)controller for a sandwiched maglev positioning stage is proposed.The maglev positioning stage has a special structure:a sandwiched maglev stage,consisting of repulsive linear motors and attractive linear motors,which have better levitation performance.Forces on the sandwiched maglev stage are analyzed and modeled.The positioning controller is designed based on the feedback linearized model with a dynamic damping system.The design of the H infinity controller for stage positioning is derived as a series of linear matrix inequalities(LMIs)which are efficiently solved in Matlab.The proposed controller and its effectiveness is demonstrated compared to PID method.

μ-Syntheses of Suspension Systems for EMS and EDS Maglev Vehicles

Under model uncertainty and complex disturbance, the robust control strategy should be used in suspension control systems for various Maglev vehicles to obtain ride comfort of passengers. In this paper, the robust controllers are synthesized using μ approach for levitation system of electromagnetic Maglev vehicle and active suspension system of super conducting Maglev vehicle. The numerical simulations for different parameter perturbations and different disturbances are accomplished, and a comparison of μ control and H ∞ control is performed. The simulation results show that, both H ∞ control and μ control for two kinds of Maglev vehicles exhibit good stability robustness to plant model uncertainty, but μ control exhibits better performance robustness than H ∞ control, therefore better ride quality could be obtained by μ control.

Design consideration of a super-high speed high temperature superconductor maglev evacuated tube transport (I)

The super-high speed high temperature superconductor （HTS） maglev evacuated tube transport （ETT） is a promising transport mode for the future. As a key component of the HTS maglev vehicle, the permanent magnet guide- ways （PMGs） with different geometrical configurations and iron yoke widths are analyzed by finite element method （FEM）. The levitation force of a single onboard HTS maglev device over the designed PMG at different field cooling heights （FCH） is measured by magnetic levitation measurement system. Based on the designed PMG and experimental results, a preliminary scheme of subterranean super-high speed HTS maglev ETT is described in this paper. The HTS maglev ETT is mainly composed of an evacuated tube, HTS maglev vehicle, PMG, propulsion system, station, emergency rescue system, etc. In addition, a subterranean tube that consists of foundation tube and vacuum airproof layer is introduced. In order to convert the stress caused by the air pressure difference between inside and outside of the vehicle, a multi-circular vehicle body is designed. The vehicle is driven by a linear motor propulsion system under the control of a ground controlling system. The scheme of long-distance super-high speed passenger transportation is accomplished by the connection of different vehicles.

Structure analysis of levitation chassis of medium-to-low speed maglev vehicles based on left-right decoupling

Levitation chassis, as an extremely important component of maglev vehicles, provides functions of transmitting levitation force and steering force, and directly affects the safety performance of the vehicle. Based on the vertical dynamics model of the levitation chassis, kinetic equations of the model are established, and a simulation program is designed to analyze the structural decoupling function of the chassis, especially under the influence of elastic constraints between the left and right modules, which are exclusively owned by maglev vehicles. A finite element model of the levitation chassis based on left-right decoupling is constructed. Analysis results of the model show that the mechanical properties of the chassis tailored for the vehicle meet the design requirements, and the stiffness and strength is adequate to bear the weight of the whole vehicle.

Control strategy of maglev vehicles based on particle swarm algorithm

Taking a single magnet levitation system as theobject, a nonlinear numerical model of the vehicle–guidewaycoupling system was established to study the levitationcontrol strategies. According to the similarity in dynamics,the single magnet-guideway coupling system was simplifiedinto a magnet-suspended track system, and the correspondinghardware-in-loop test rig was set up usingdSPACE. A full-state-feedback controller was developedusing the levitation gap signal and the current signal, andcontroller parameters were optimized by particle swarmalgorithm. The results from the simulation and the test rigshow that, the proposed control method can keep the systemstable by calculating the controller output with the fullstateinformation of the coupling system, Step responsesfrom the test rig show that the controller can stabilize thesystem within 0.15 s with a 2 % overshot, and performswell even in the condition of violent external disturbances.Unlike the linear quadratic optimal method, the particleswarm algorithm carries out the optimization with thenonlinear controlled object included, and its optimizedresults make the system responses much better.

Computation and Analysis of Propellant and Levitation Forces of a Maglev System Using FEM Coupled to External Circuit Model

This paper studies the propellant and levitation forces of a prototype maglev system where the propellant forces are provided by a linear motor system. For this purpose, the mathematical model and method using finite element method coupled to external circuit model is developed. The details of the propellant and levitation forces for a prototype maglev system under different operating conditions are investigated, and some directions are given for practical engineering applications.

Problems and Barriers Impeding the Implementation of MagLev Assisted Aircraft Take-Off and Landing Concept

Nowadays, the success of the new technology development and deployment process depends not only on technical, technological solutions, but also on solving the non-technological problems and crossing the societal and psychological barriers. A large international European projects, GABRIEL1 had developed a maglev assisted aircraft take-off and landing, that was applied to conceptual design of aircraft and required on-board and ground systems, had analysed all impacts (effects of concept deployment on effectiveness, safety, security, noise, emissions) and had demonstrated the safe applicability by concept validation. The applied methodology, used methods and the results of the Gabriel projects had been described and discussed by 55 project deliverables. This paper has a special goal: investigating the problems and barriers of possible implementing of the radically new technology, aircraft MagLev assisted take-off and landing. The study was started by identification and classification of the problems and barriers. After it, the problems were systematically analysed by use of special methodology containing the understanding (description) of the problems, investigation of the possible solutions and discussing their applicability (mainly by use of the Gabriel project results). The paper has three major sections: 1) description of the Gabriel concept and project results, 2) introducing some related thoughts on general aspects of new technology developments, and 3) discussion on the problems and their solutions. The major classes of the problems are the 1) technical, technological problems as developing a radically new solution, landing the undercarriage-less aircraft on the magnetic tracks, 2) stakeholders’ problems as decision makers kicking against supporting the developments of so radically new technologies and 3) society barriers like society worrying on and fear of future passengers on flying by aircraft have not conventional undercarriage systems. The paper will show that these problems have safe and cost-effective solutions.

Electromagnetic Analysis and Optimization of High-speed Maglev Linear Synchronous Motor Based on Field-circuit Coupling

High speed maglev train has become a new non-contact transportation mode mainly studied in recent years because of its non-sticking and high speed characteristics.Firstly,the finite element model of the long stator linear synchronous motor(LSM)is established based on the structure of the test prototype.After calculation,it is compared with the experimental data and verified.On this basis,a field-circuit coupling model based on inverter circuit is established,and the influence of carrier wave ratio change on the output characteristics of LSM is calculated and analyzed.Finally,the filter circuit is introduced into the field-circuit coupling model,and the influence of the filter circuit on the output characteristics of the LSM is compared and analyzed.

Numerical Analysis of the Rotational Magnetic Springs for EDS Maglev Train

Different from the traditional railway trains,the combined levitation and guidance EDS maglev train is more likely to rotate after being disturbed.Therefore,the rotational electromagnetic stiffnesses are significant operating parameters for the train.In this paper,the different effects of each translational offset generated in the rotational motion on the corresponding rotational electromagnetic stiffnesses in the EDS maglev train are analyzed and calculated.Firstly,a three-dimensional model of the maglev train is established.Then,based on the space harmonic method and the equivalent circuit of the levitation and guidance circuits,the formulas of rolling,pitching and yawing stiffness are presented.Finally,by comparing with the three-dimensional finite element simulation results,the key translational displacements in the rotational motion which has a great impact on the stiffness are obtained.Hence,the three-dimensional analytical formula can be simplified and the computation can be reduced.In addition,the accuracy of the calculation results is verified by comparing with the experimental data of Yamanashi test line.

Three-dimensional Electromagnetic Characteristics Analysis of Novel Linear Synchronous Motor under Lateral and Yaw Conditions of MAGLEV

Dynamic stability analysis of superconducting electro-dynamic maglev train under lateral and yawing motion condition is the key research content.The novel three-dimensional electromagnetic model of integrated linear synchronous motor in electro-dynamic maglev train with yawing operation condition is proposed,which can not only simultaneously achieve the propulsion,levitation and guidance performances of maglev vehicle,but also analyze the dynamic stability performance of train with yawing condition.The three-dimensional analytical method is introduced for analyzing the electromagnetic force characteristics of the linear synchronous motor with the yawing operation condition.Firstly,the topology structure and operation principle of the linear synchronous motor with yawing attitude are proposed.Secondly,the three-dimensional analytical model and expressions of electromagnetic characteristics are obtained by equivalent circuit method and Fourier decomposition method,such as levitation force,guidance force,propulsion force and yawing torque,etc.Finally,the three-dimensional electromagnetic characteristics of the linear synchronous motor are calculated under yawing operation conditions of maglev train,and the correctness of the analytical theory is verified by the finite element analysis and measured data on the test line.