Modeling and Experimental Characterization of a Full-Scale Electrodynamic Suspension System for High-Speed Lane-Switching

Lane-switching in maglev systems is a key functionality necessary for their successful implementation in commercial solutions, that has largely remained unexplored in terms of experimental validation. The present work investigates a full-scale electrodynamic suspension for its use alongside a conventional electromagnetic suspension. A combined levitation system that incorporates the repulsive force of an electrodynamic suspension and the attraction-based behavior of an electromagnetic suspension facilitates high-speed vertical lane-switching capability. The passivity of electrodynamic suspensions renders them appealing for their integration in this context. A test bench designed for full-scale analysis of this process is presented. The electrodynamic suspension system is discussed, and a finite element model used for system design is established. Acquired experimental lift and drag forces are fitted using an analytical model consisting of an equivalent multi-branch electric circuit, showing good agreement between datasets. A large speed range (10-600 km/h) is tested over several air gaps (35-50 mm). Measurements at smaller air gaps (25 and 30 mm) are used to validate the analytical model. Moreover, full-scale force capability necessary for vehicle levitation is achieved.