Abstract
This article presents a new method for combined levitation and propulsion control in maglev/Hyperloop systems by selectively applying AC and DC modes of operation to a group of asymmetric double-sided linear induction motors (ADSLIMs). Although adjusting the AC current magnitude of lower and upper primary windings in ADSLIMs allows simultaneous control of thrust and lift forces, the limitation of this current balancing technique prohibits them from producing a high lift force while operating with low thrust force. To overcome this limitation and to simultaneously control the thrust and lift forces of the ADSLIMs with high efficiency under different operating conditions, a combination of AC and DC modes of operation is proposed. AC mode of operation consists of feeding different AC current amplitudes to the upper and lower ADSLIM primary windings to produce and control the required thrust and lift forces. The DC mode of operation consists of controlling one or several ADSLIMs to operate with DC excitation to realize the desired lift force at lower thrusts which otherwise cannot be achieved by operating in AC mode alone. The concept of the new combined control strategy is studied using two-dimensional finite element (FE) electromagnetic simulations and compared with an Inductrack permanent magnet (PM) based passive magnetic levitation system.
Highlights
Electrified transportation, including mass transportation using high-speed electric trains, is in growing demand due to increasing environmental concerns and a need to create a sustainable and more efficient transportation system [1]
Magnetic levitation systems have been employed as an efficient alternative to wheel-on-rail trains and can be divided into two types; those based on attraction force and those based on repulsive force [2,7]
Besides the high cost of neodymium magnets, there are geopolitical concerns relating to the security of supply and environmental concerns [14]. Another challenge for the Inductrack systems is that the lift force is difficult to control as the weight of the Hyperloop vehicle changes depending on passenger loading; the option to control the spacing of the permanent magnet (PM) from the conductive surface in order to adjust the lift force requires powerful hydraulic systems and is associated with efficiency loss and increased weight
Summary
Electrified transportation, including mass transportation using high-speed electric trains, is in growing demand due to increasing environmental concerns and a need to create a sustainable and more efficient transportation system [1]. Besides the high cost of neodymium magnets, there are geopolitical concerns relating to the security of supply and environmental concerns [14] Another challenge for the Inductrack systems is that the lift force is difficult to control as the weight of the Hyperloop vehicle changes depending on passenger loading; the option to control the spacing of the PMs from the conductive surface in order to adjust the lift force requires powerful hydraulic systems and is associated with efficiency loss and increased weight. ADSLIMs with the proposed control algorithm can be employed in maglev/Hyperloop systems and have the potential to reduce cost and complexity of these vehicles by achieving simultaneous control of thrust and lift forces under an all-in-one propulsion-levitation system without the need to use PMs
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