Simulation of Running Coupled Rail Cars Using a Control Theory of Bogie Truck for Damping Rail Oscillation.

This paper discussed the behavior of coupled rail cars running on flexible rails by digital simulation and studies the relations between running speed, cutoff frequency of levitation system, number of coupled cars and rail mass. Discussion is also made on how to evaluate the damping effects of the proposed control circuit. Levitating magnets mounted on the bogie truck control the car position following the rail surface and the secondary suspension between vehicle and bogie truck controls the quality of the ride. Since each of the two bogie trucks supports the vehicle through two secondary suspensions, the vehicle is able to run very easily along curved rails. Levitating magnets are mounted on the trucks and therefore the space under the vehicle is utilized very effectively. Assuming that a pair of left and right levitating magnets support the vehicle at one point, each vehicle is supported on two bogie trucks at four points in all. If N vehicles are coupled together, the rails and Levitating magnets is very important. Control of Levitate railways taking into account the stiffness of rail has been discusses a similar problem from th viewpoints of damping characteristics of rail and running characteristics of coupled rail cars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]