Apparatus for controlling a magnet in a magnetically suspended vehicle

Abstract

A magnet controller for a magnetically suspended vehicle of the linear stator type for travelling along a rail track (1) forming a linear stator having teeth of uniform determined width, responds to a rectified control signal. The control parameters for the magnet controller (21) are adjusted in response to speed to assure a stable control during standstill and at low speeds and to achieve a good response or follower characteristic of the control system at high speeds. A speed representing signal (U.sub.v) is generated in a conductor loop, preferably a double loop (9), inserted into a groove (10) of the poles (5) of the levitation magnets (2). The signal (U.sub.v) generated in the conductor loop is rectified at (31), and if desired passed through a low-pass filter (32) to provide the control input signal for the controller (21) by a very simple circuit. Utilizing just the amplitude of the speed signal (U.sub.v) has been found to be satisfactory for achieving a stable closed loop control of the magnetically suspended vehicle.