Optimized Energy-Saving Speed Profile in Linear-Motor Railway System

Abstract

The most striking characteristics of linear-motor railway system is that the structure consists of a primary and secondary linear induction motor (LIM). The primary side of the LIM is installed in a rolling stock, and the secondary side of LIM is installed on the track. The magnetic attractive vertical force produced by the LIM increases the running resistance since this force is in the same direction as the gravitational force due to which rolling stocks gain weight virtually from the track side of view. In addition, the efficiency of the LIM has a different characteristics of efficiency compared with the rotary motor. Previous studies have focused on the design method of LIM to improve motor efficiency and decrease energy consumption. However, it is a well-known fact that this kind of approach requires hardware renewal which requests large amount of investments. The purpose of this study is to analyze these characteristics of LIM effects and design the optimal speed profile to minimize the energy consumption as a linear-motor railway system. This smart and economic energy-saving approach is based on the optimization of speed profiles of the linear-motor railway system using dynamic programming.