Design and Evaluation of a Semi-Active Damping System for Rail Vehicles

Abstract The paper describes the development of a semi-active damping system used on rail vehicles. Applying a skyhook control strategy, improvement of the ride comfort can be achieved for the passengers. The system design and the hydraulic damper are explained. Computer simulations of complex three-dimensional rail vehicles served for the design process and the results are described. Measured force responses of a prototype semi-active damper are shown and compared to simulation results. First measurements from field tests with the prototype semi-active damping system show, that up to 15% improvement of the ride quality can be achieved with the real vehicle.