Hydraulic actuation system with active control for the lateral suspensions of high speed trains
by Gualtiero Balossini; Laura Gastaldi; Giovanni Jacazio; Alberto Magnani
International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS), Vol. 20, No. 3, 2013

Abstract: High speed trains normally use actively controlled pneumatic systems to recentre the car body with respect to the bogie when the train negotiates a curve. Pneumatic systems are used because of their softness, which adds a little contribution to the elastic force generated by the mechanical springs of the lateral suspension system, thereby allowing the necessary dynamic isolation between car body and bogie. However, pneumatic systems have the drawbacks of large dimensions and slow response, often accompanied by a few damped oscillations. An innovative solution was developed that makes use of hydraulic actuators, providing them with artificial compliance generated by an appropriate control, hence making the hydraulic actuators suitable for this application. A car body centring system is thus obtained that presents fast response, small volume and a softness comparable to that of a pneumatic system. The optimal control law for this system was defined, the system dynamic characteristics were analysed and a technological demonstrator was built to assess the system merits. The paper outlines the theoretical grounds for the system control, its performance and the most significant results obtained during a test campaign conducted on the technological demonstrator.

Online publication date: Wed, 30-Oct-2013

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com