Abstract
In conventional electromagnetic suspension (EMS) systems, the levitation and guide systems are independent of each other, not only from the viewpoint of structure but also as regards control. Consequently, lots of guide magnets and detectors are mounted on the vehicle in addition to the levitation magnets and detectors. Furthermore, guide detectors need their targets laid down along the track. This type of design leads to certain problems such as increased vehicle weight, switching difficulties and structural complications.
The authors propose an EMS system which guides a maglev vehicle using the levitation magnets and detectors. This EMS system is realized through creating a kinetic interaction between the levitation and guide systems of the vehicle. We named this EMS system the guide-effective EMS system. A robust controller design algorithm succeeded in stabilizing the EMS system whose dynamics changes widely according to a load weight and guide rail dimensions. In this paper, the authors explain the kinetic interaction and show the robust controller design algorithm.
