Algorithm of Linear Induction Motor Control Considering End-effect of Magnetic Levitation Train Propulsion System

This paper proposes a propulsion control algorithm considering End-effect of a linear induction motor (LIM) used in a magnetic levitation train. Indirect field oriented control (IFOC) technique is one of the popular control techniques widely applied to LIM drive control. The main idea of IFOC in a LIM is the decoupling of the flux and torque. Therefore, IFOC has a higher dynamic characteristic than the scalar control [1]. The LIM applied to the magnetic levitation trains should control the thrust force and also take into account the normal force for levitation stabilization. When the LIM is driven, normal force is inevitable. The normal force is a function of the speed, the slip frequency and the current of the train. In the rotary type induction motor, the normal force is canceled due to its symmetrical structure. Therefore, IM could operate in a low slip and high efficiency range. However, in the case of LIM, a high attraction force is generated in a low slip region, which cause the instability of the levitation system. Therefore, the propulsion control for magnetic levitation trains must operate in a higher slip region than the slip used in conventional IFOC. In this paper, the slip characteristics of the LIM are analyzed to improve the efficiency and safety of the magnetic levitation train by FEM analysis. A constant slip frequency propulsion control algorithm is proposed for operation in the analyzed slip region. The proposed algorithm can be controlled by separating magnetic flux and thrust from IFOC. The proposed algorithm is verified in 250 kW test bench. The results of FEM analysis according to speed and slip at constant voltage condition are shown on Fig. 1. The dotted lines of Indirect Field Oriented Control(IFOC) and Constant Slip Indirect Field Oriented Control(CSIFOC) are shown on the figure. The slip of the IFOC is low and that leads to operate near the maximum thrust and efficiency. However, the normal force of LIM is also increase, which could not be allowed in maglev application. On the other hand, when CSIFOC is performed considering normal force, the slip is higher than the conventional algorithm. Although the CSIFOC is not operated in maximum thrust slip, the normal force could be greatly reduced. Fig.2 (a) shows the CSIFOC algorithm considering the end-effect of the linear induction motor. In general IFOC, the d-axis current reference is calculated through the magnetic flux reference value, and the q-axis is calculated based on thrust. However, the CSIFOC for the LIM generates the d-axis and q-axis current references along with the slip frequency and thrust. Fig. 2 (b) shows the waveform of the experimental results based on the general IFOC and the proposed algorithm. Both IFOC and CSIFOC were tested with the same rate pattern of the same load. It is confirmed that CSIVC has larger slip than conventional IFOC and low normal force in all regions. In this paper, a constant slip frequency IFOC algorithm is proposed considering the end effect of LIM used for magnetic levitation trains. The efficiency, thrust and normal force according to the speed and slip through the FEM analysis of the LIM were analyzed and the slip condition suitable for the magnetic levitation train is proposed. In addition, a current reference generation algorithm based on the thrust and slip is proposed in the IFOC considering the end effect to operate under the proposed slip condition. In the full paper, the detailed formulas of the proposed algorithm are developed and will be verified through simulation and experimental results.