Method and circuit arrangement for optimally controlling an air gap between an electromagnetically levitated vehicle and a rail

US4505206A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung · DE

Inventors

• Eveline Gottzein · Oberpframmern, DE
• Rolf Keeve · Ottobrunn, DE
• Michael Surauer · Chieming, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 20, 1982
• Grant date: Mar 19, 1985
• Expiry date: Apr 20, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60L2200/26
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The air gap between the rail or rails and an electromagnetically levitated ehicle is optimally controlled with regard to the power or energy consumption. This result is achieved by a control employing two control channels. One control channel is constructed as a non-linear support or guide controller for regulating or contolling the air gap width in response to disturbances of short duration. The other control channel is constructed to cause a reduction of the air gap width or rather of the rated air gap width for adapting of the air gap width to the spectrum and amplitude distribution of the disturbances to which the levitated vehicle is exposed. This type of control may be employed for the regulating of the air gap between the support magnets and the respective rail and also for controlling the air gap between the guide magnet and the respective rail to reduce the energy required for maintaining these air gaps at an optimally efficient width.