Active damping control for electrodynamic suspension systems without mechanical transducers

In this paper an electrodynamic suspension system for maglev vehicles is analysed, in which the active damping of the vertical oscillations is obtained without position, velocity and acceleration transducers. The damping effect is accomplished controlling the supply voltage of the damping coil to respond to current changes due to vertical oscillations. The stability of the suspension system is investigated by a linearized analysis of the model equations, emphasising the influence of the voltage regulator parameters. The performance of the damping system, in terms of step response and ride quality, is also discussed