Characteristics of Linear Synchronous Motor Drive Cycloconverter for Maglev Vehicle ML-500 at Miyazaki Test Track

Maglev vehicle ML-500 in Japan attained a speed of 517 km/h on December 21, 1979. The linear synchronous motor (LSM) drive cycloconverter fabricated and submitted to the track test has a capacity of approximately 12 000 kVA in a continuously variable frequency range of 0-34 Hz with a sinusoidal current waveform. The current can be arbitrarily controlled in a range of 200-1300 A. Despite the rigorous power conversion and control, excellent current control characteristics were obtained: less than 4 percent in deviation of current peak value, about 4 ° in leading phase deviation and approximately 1.2 ms in zero current interval. Some observations about the LSM driving system are made, and an outline of the design and the data obtained from the super-high-speed running tests on Miyazaki test track are given.