Electrical Components of Maglev Systems: Emerging Trends

Abstract

Consistently rising environmental concerns and depleting petroleum resources have accentuated the need of sustainable, energy efficient and clean means of transport. This has provided the impetus to the research and development of clean alternatives for existing public transportation systems. Development of linear motor-propelled, contact-less maglev systems is considered a promising alternative to conventional on-wheel rail transport technology. Maglev technology primarily focuses on improving the performance, speed, fuel economy, driving range and operating cost of the transit system. These parameters vary with the design and efficiency of the electrical system used in maglev-based transportation systems. To present this study, firstly, a detailed survey of the important constituents of a maglev electrical system has been carried out with techno-economic perspectives. Contemporary maglev technologies have then explored along with their respective advantages and limitations. Electrical systems form the heart of maglev systems and, therefore, this paper presents the components of a standard electrical system together with the comparative analysis in terms of present trends, on-going technological advancements and future challenges.

Keywords

On-wheel rail / Maglev / Propulsion / Linear motors / Guidance / Levitation

References

[1] Passenger Department (2018) Passenger activities at UIC. International Union of Railways (UIC). https://uic.org/IMG/pdf/brochure_passagers.pdf. Accessed March 2018

[2] Passenger Department (2018) High speed rail fast track to sustainable mobility. International Union of Railways (UIC). https://uic.org/IMG/pdf/uic_high_speed_2018_ph08_web.pdf. Accessed May 2018

[3] Railway Handbook (2017) Energy consumption and CO₂ emissions focus on passenger rail services. International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Union of Railways (UIC). https://uic.org/IMG/pdf/handbook_iea-uic_2017_web3.pdf. Accessed Nov 2017

[4] Monjo L, Sainz L. Study of resonances in 1 × 25 kV AC traction systems. Electr Power Compon Syst, 2015, 43(15): 1771-1780

[5] Mundrey JS. Tracking of high-speed trains in India. Rites J, 2010, 12(1): 7.1-7.16.

[6] Lee HW, Kim KC, Lee J. Review of Maglev train technologies. IEEE Trans Magn, 2006, 42(7): 1917-1925

[7] Powell J, Danby G (2007) MAGLEV the new mode of transport for the 21st century. In: Schiller institute conference on the Eurasian land-bridge becomes a reality! 15–16 Sept 2007, Kiedrich, Germany

[8] Hasirci U, Balikci AK, Zabar Z, Birenbaum L. 3-D FEM analysis of a novel magnetic levitation system. IEEE Trans Plasma Sci, 2015, 43(5): 1261-1265

[9] Fritz E, Klühspies J, Kircher R, Witt M, Blow L. Energy consumption of track-based high-speed trains: Maglev systems in comparison with wheel-rail systems. Transp Syst Technol, 2018, 4(3suppl.1): 134-155

[10] Krishnan R (2005) Propulsion with and without wheels. In: IEEE international conference on industrial technology, IEEE-ICIT 2005, 14–17 Dec 2005, Hong Kong, China

[11] Han HS, Kim DS. Magnetic levitation: Maglev technology and applications, 2016, Berlin: Springer

[12] Thornton RD. Efficient and affordable maglev opportunities in the United States. Proc IEEE, 2009, 97(11): 1901-1921

[13] Saied M, Al-Shaher M. Harmonic distortion assessment and minimization for railway systems. Electr Power Compon Syst, 2009, 37(8): 832-846

[14] Long Z, He G, Xue S. Study of EDS & EMS hybrid suspension system with permanent-magnet Halbach array. IEEE Trans Magn, 2011, 47(12): 4717-4724

[15] Uzuka T. Faster than a speeding bullet: an overview of Japanese high-speed rail technology and electrification. IEEE Electrif Mag, 2013, 1(1): 11-20

[16] Schultz L, Haas O, Verges P, Beyer C, Rohlig S, Olsen H, Kuhn L, Berger D, Noteboom U, Funk U. Superconductively levitated transport system: the SupraTrans project. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond, 2005, 15(2): 2301-2305

[17] Holmer P. Faster than a speeding bullet train. IEEE Spectr, 2003, 40(8): 30-34

[18] Kaye RJ, Masada E (2004) Comparison of linear synchronous and induction motors. Urban Maglev Technology Development Program Colorado Project. https://www.codot.gov/programs/research/pdfs/2004/inductionmotors.pdf. Accessed June 2004

[19] Meins J, Miller L, Mayer WJ. The high speed Maglev transportation system TRANSRAPID. IEEE Trans Magn, 1988, 24(2): 808-811

[20] Chin YK, Soulard J (2003) A permanent magnet synchronous motor for traction applications of electric vehicles. In: IEEE international conference on electric machines and drives conference, IEMDC 2003, 1–4 June 2003, Madison, USA

[21] Zhang W, Li J, Zhang K, Cui P. Design of magnetic flux feedback controller in hybrid suspension system. Math Prob Eng, 2013, 2013: 1-7

[22] Lutzemberger G, Musolino A, Rizzo R. Automated people mover: a comparison between conventional and permanent magnets MAGLEV systems. IET Electr Syst Transp, 2017, 7(4): 295-302

[23] Cassat A, Jufer M. MAGLEV projects technology aspects and choices. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond, 2002, 12(1): 915-925

[24] Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co. Ltd. (2005) Maglev technology. http://www.smtdc.com/en/gycf3.html. Accessed by 2005

[25] Uzuka T (2011) Trends in high-speed railways and the implications on power electronics and power devices. In: IEEE 23rd international symposium on power semiconductor devices and ICs, ISPSD 2011, 23–26 May 2011, San Diego, CA

[26] Hellinger R, Mnich P. Linear motor-powered transportation: history, present status, and future outlook. Proc IEEE, 2009, 97(11): 1892-1900

[27] Boldea I, Tutelea LN, Xu W, Pucci M. Linear electric machines, drives, and MAGLEVs: an overview. IEEE Trans Ind Electron, 2018, 65(9): 7504-7515

[28] Shieh NC, Tung PC. Robust position regulation control of a transportation carriage directly driven by linear brushless DC motor. Electr Power Compon Syst, 2002, 30(7): 661-677

[29] Rivera NN (2007) Permanent Magnet DC traction motor with reconfigurable winding control. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/archive/studies/idea/finalreports/highspeedrail/hsr-44final_report.pdf. Accessed August 2007

[30] Boldea I. Linear electric machines, drives and Maglevs handbook, 2013, Boca Raton: CRC Press

[31] Hur J, Toliyat HA, Hong JP. Dynamic analysis of linear induction motors using 3-D equivalent magnetic circuit network (EMCN) method. Electr Power Compon Syst, 2001, 29(6): 531-541

[32] Gerada D, Mebarki A, Brown NL, Gerada C, Cavagnino A, Boglietti A. High-speed electrical machines: technologies, trends, and developments. IEEE Trans Ind Electron, 2014, 61(6): 2946-2959

[33] Cho HW, Sung HK, Sung SY, You DJ, Jang SM. Design and characteristic analysis on the short-stator linear synchronous motor for high-speed Maglev propulsion. IEEE Trans Magn, 2008, 44(11): 4369-4372

[34] Cao R, Cheng M, Mi CC, Hua W. Influence of leading design parameters on the force performance of a complementary and modular linear flux-switching permanent-magnet motor. IEEE Trans Ind Electron, 2014, 61(5): 2165-2175

[35] El-Refaie AM. Motors/generators for traction/propulsion applications: a review. IEEE Veh Technol Mag, 2013, 8(1): 90-99

[36] Pellegrino G, Vagati A, Boazzo B, Guglielmi P. Comparison of induction and PM synchronous motor drives for EV application including design examples. IEEE Trans Ind Appl, 2012, 48(6): 2322-2332

[37] Park CB, Lee BS, Lee JH, Lee SK, Kim JH, Jung SM (2013) Design of coreless-typed linear synchronous motor for 600 km/h very high speed train. In: International conference on electrical machines and systems, ICEMS 2013, 26–29 Oct 2013, Busan, South Korea

[38] Otkun Ö, SefaAkpınar A. An experimental study on the effect of thrust force on motor performance in linear permanent magnet synchronous motors. Electr Power Compon Syst, 2017, 45(18): 2017-2024

[39] Lee J, Jo J, Han Y, Lee C (2013) Development of the linear synchronous motor propulsion testbed for super speed Maglev. In: International conference on electrical machines and systems, ICEMS 2013, 26–29 Oct 2013, Busan, South Korea

[40] Kuntz S, Burke PE, Slemon GR. Active damping of maglev vehicles using superconducting linear synchronous motors. Electr Mach Power Syst, 1978, 2(4): 371-384

[41] Garcia-Amorós J, Andrada P, Blanqué B. Design procedure for a longitudinal flux flat linear switched reluctance motor. Electr Power Compon Syst, 2011, 40(2): 161-178

[42] García-Amorós J, Andrada P, Blanqué B. Assessment of linear switched reluctance motor’s design parameters for optimal performance. Electr Power Compon Syst, 2015, 43(7): 810-819

[43] Jang SM, Park JH, You DJ, Cho HW, Sung HK (2007) Design of high speed linear switched reluctance motor. In: International conference on electrical machines and systems, ICEMS 2007, 8–11 Oct 2007, Seoul, South Korea

[44] Wang D, Wang X, Du XF. Design and comparison of a high force density dual-side linear switched reluctance motor for long rail propulsion application with low cost. IEEE Trans Magn, 2017, 53(6): 1-4.

[45] Wang DH, Shao CL, Wang XH, Chen XJ (2016) Design and performance comparison of a bilateral yokeless linear switched reluctance machine for urban rail transit system. In: IEEE conference on vehicle power and propulsion, VPPC 2016, 17-20 October 2016, Hangzhou, China

[46] Kakinoki T, Yamaguchi H, Murakami T, Mukai E, Nishi H (2016) Development of linear switched reluctance motor for magnetically levitated system. In: 19th International conference on electrical machines and systems, ICEMS 2016, 13–16 Nov 2016, Chiba, Japan

[47] Daldaban F, Ustkoyuncu N. A Novel Linear Switched Reluctance Motor for Railway Transportation Systems. Energy Convers Manag, 2010, 51: 465-469

[48] Filho AFF, Rinaldi V (2006) The development of a linear switched reluctance motor with improved force profile. In: 3rd IET international conference on power electronics, machines and drives, PEMD 2006, 4–6 April 2006, Dublin, Ireland

[49] Nurettin U, Krishnan R. A performance comparison of conventional and transverse flux linear switched reluctance motors. Turk J Elec Eng Comp Sci, 2015, 23: 974-986

[50] Kumar L, Jain S. Electric propulsion system for electric vehicular technology: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev, 2014, 29: 924-940

[51] Abdelhafez AA, Aldalbehi MA, Aldalbehi NF, Alotaibi FR, Alotaibi NA, Alotaibi RS. Comparative study for machine candidates for high speed traction applications. Int J Electr Eng, 2017, 10(1): 71-84.