Controlling flexible structures in Maglev vehicles

Abstract

The paper assesses the control implications of magnetically-suspended vehicles having relatively soft chassis structures, and is concerned with achieving high bandwidth operation in the presence of structural resonances, and at the same time satisfying dynamic requirements for the suspension in terms of achieving an adequate ride quality. The paper discusses the modelling of a 2-degree-of-freedom (bounce/pitch) system with structural modes, and compares a classically designed control law with that generated by an LQG approach. The robustness to uncertainties in the characteristics of the structural modes is a particular feature, and development of the control laws through a physical insight approach is emphasised.<>