A special excitation system for analysis of coupling characteristics of thrust and levitation force of maglev train

Abstract

Background: In the maglev train propelled by long stator linear synchronous motor (LSLSM), the thrust characteristics are one of important points to evaluate the performance of the system. However, coupling effect exists between the propulsion and levitation system. Therefore, the interference from the levitation system must be considered when the propulsion system is designed.
 Aim: The article focus on the analysis of coupling characteristics of thrust and levitation force of maglev train, and a special excitation system is designed for the study.
 Methods: In order to study the thrust performance under the fluctuating air gap field under laboratory conditions, a rotating synchronous motor has been designed to imitate the long stator linear synchronous motor applied in high speed maglev train. And a special excitation system is designed for the rotating synchronous motor, which can simulate the fluctuation of the exciting current during the actual operation of maglev train. The air gap of the rotating synchronous motor is kept as constant, and the fluctuating excitation current is added to the excitation winding of the rotating synchronous motor, thus the simulation of air gap magnetic field variation is achieved.
 Results: The special excitation system of the experimental motor is introduced in detail.
 Conclusion: The relationship between thrust and levitation force of long stator linear synchronous motor (LSLSM) in maglev train is strong coupling, non-linear, and dynamic. Complete decoupling of thrust and levitation force is not easy to be achieved. The experimental platform has been built to study the coupling characteristics of thrust and levitation force of maglev train.