This work proposes a practical nonlinear controller for the MIMO levitation system. Firstly, the mathematical model of levitation modules is developed and the advantages of the control scheme with magnetic flux feedback are analyzed when compared with the current feedback. Then, a backstepping controller with magnetic flux feedback based on the mathematical model of levitation module is developed. To obtain magnetic flux signals for full-size maglev system, a physical method with induction coils installed to winding of the electromagnet is developed. Furthermore, to avoid its hardware addition, a novel conception of virtual magnetic flux feedback is proposed. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed controller, the nonlinear dynamic model of full-size maglev train with quintessential details is developed. Based on the nonlinear model, the numerical comparisons and related experimental validations are carried out. Finally, results illustrating closed-loop performance are provided.
This work addresses the problem of self-excited vibration,which degrades the stability of the levitation control,decreases the ride comfort,and restricts the construction cost of maglev system.Firstly,a minimum model containing a flexible bridge and a single levitation unit is presented.Based on the simplified model,the principle underlying the self-excited vibration is explored.After investigations about the energy transmission between the levitation system and bridge,it is concluded that the increment of modal damping can dissipate the accumulated energy by the bridge and the self-excited vibration may be avoided.To enlarge the equivalent modal damping of bridge,the sky-hooked damper is adopted.Furthermore,to avoid the hardware addition of real sky-hooked damper,considering the fact that the electromagnet itself is an excellent actuator that is capable of providing sufficiently fast and large force acting on the bridge to emulate the influence of the real sky-hooked damper,the technique of the virtual sky-hooked damper is proposed.The principle underlying the virtual sky-hooked damper by electromagnet is explored and the vertical velocity of bridge is estimated.Finally,numerical and experimental results illustrating the stability improvement of the vehicle-bridge interaction system are provided.
This work addresses the saturation influence of control voltage on the occurring of self-excited vibration of maglev vehicle-bridge interaction system, which greatly degrades the stability of the levitation control, decreases the ride comfort, and restricts the cost of the whole system. Firstly, the interaction model of vehicle-bridge system is developed. Based on the interaction model, the relationship between the control voltage and vibration frequency is solved. Then, the variation of the effective direct component and fundamental harmonic are discussed. Furthermore, from the perspective of energy transmission between the levitation system and bridge, the principle underlying the self-excited vibration is explored, and the influence on the stability is discussed. Finally, in terms of the variation of the characteristic roots, the influence is analyzed further and some conclusions are obtained. This study provides a theoretical guidance for mastering the self-excited vibration problems.