PERFORMANCE OF MAGNETIC SUSPENSIONS FOR HIGH-SPEED VEHICLES OPERATING OVER FLEXIBLE GUIDEWAYS

This paper examines the performance of attraction (ferromagnetic) and repulsion (superconducting) MAG-LEV Suspensions suitable for use on high-speed ground vehicles. The effects of guideway roughness, guideway flexibility and of force nonlinearities are examined. It is concluded that for the particular cases examined here, MAG-LEV suspension systems for 300-mph vehicles which provide reliable tracking while meeting ride quality criteria can be designed. It is also apparent that a considerable effort is required to achieve MAG-LEV system optimization and refinement.