An Effective Optimization Method and Implementation of Permanent Magnet Electrodynamic Wheel for Maglev Car

Abstract

The levitation-propulsion integration ability of radial permanent magnet electrodynamic wheel (PM EDW) renders its competitive edge over other magnetic levitation systems. A low-cost and effective second induction method is proposed to target the synchronous improvement of the saturation speed, levitation and propulsion forces. Its effectiveness is determined from the small-scale EDW to the full-scale EDW via theoretical model, simulation analysis and experiments test. First, according to magnetic charge theory, an updated EDW is proposed and developed. Simulated and tested results of the small-scale EDW demonstrate that the levitation force, propulsion force and saturation speed are increased by 14%, 7% and 30%. This improvement benefits the increased induced current and the mitigated skin effect. Afterwards, further analysis of the full-scale EDW with rings of various conductivity and thickness is conducted. The levitation force, propulsion force and saturation speed are enhanced by more than 50%, 10% and 200% synchronously. Based on analysis of power loss under the same levitation and propulsion forces, the updated EDW is more efficient than the original EDW. Ultimately, a proof-of-principle prototype with the updated EDW and 4-m long guideway are developed. The multi-loop PID control strategy along with dynamic mode implementation methodology are introduced. The scaled prototype is levitated over guideway at 12 mm and the levitation-propulsion ability is implemented with the maximum acceleration of 1.25 m/s <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> . This proof-of-principle prototype with updated EDW and control strategy paves the way to engineering applications of Maglev car.