Semiactive control of a secondary train suspension

The topic of this paper is the design and analysis of a control system for the lateral movement of the carbody in a train. The control system is implemented via semi-active electro-hydraulic dampers located on the secondary-suspension that links the bogie to the structure of the carbody of the train. The entire design procedure is outlined: the semi-active damper is characterized; the best control strategies then are implemented and tested on a realistic laboratory test-bench, which accurately reproduces the lateral dynamics of a train. Among the tested control strategies, the most performing and efficient is a recently proposed one which requires only a single sensor located cabin-side.