Comprehensive degree of nonlinearity in the dynamic response of high-speed Maglev train

The aim of this study is to propose a method for evaluating the comprehensive degree of nonlinearity in the dynamic response of high-speed maglev train system through mathematical modeling and numerical simulation. A model of a typical high-speed maglev vehicle is established based on the principles of maglev vehicle dynamics, and control models for the suspension magnet and the guide magnet are developed using principles from the electromagnetism and automatic control theory. The vibration responses of the vehicle system, including acceleration and electromagnetic forces are calculated using a fast numerical integration method. This calculation is performed for various control parameters and track harmonic excitations. The Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) is adopted to decompose the response signal and derive the local mean frequency (amplitude) and instantaneous frequency (amplitude) of the response, based on which the Degree of Nonlinearity (DN) of the vibration response of a single component is obtained by calculating the deviation between the instantaneous frequency and the mean frequency. The Comprehensive Degree of Nonlinearity (CDN) of the vibration response in the maglev train system is proposed and defined by incorporating the DNs of the vertical and lateral vibrations of the carbody, bogie, suspension magnet and guide magnet, and by quantitatively evaluating them. The effects of the electromagnet control parameters and harmonic irregularities (wavelength and amplitude) of the track on the DN of each component and the CDN of the entire vehicle system are analyzed in detail. The analysis results show that the DN and CDN can demonstrate the extent of instability in the vehicle system and can be applied for safety warning on maglev vehicles.