Radial mechanism design with dynamic experiment: curve passing performance analysis of HTS maglev sightseeing vehicle

Abstract High-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev technology shows significant potential for tourist rail transportation due to its self-stabilization, environmental benefits, and low noise. Existing researches on HTS maglev vehicles focuses more on high-speed design, while as sightseeing vehicles, they will face more complex routes, especially smaller curve radius, which puts higher demands on the curve passing performance. Therefore, additional analysis should be conducted on the working conditions during small-radius curve negotiation. As one of the main components of maglev vehicles, the rationality of the structural design of the levitation bogie is the key to the safety and stability of the vehicle, and it also directly affects the vehicle’s curve passing performance. This paper first conducted a geometric analysis of the lateral displacement of the levitation bogie when passing through the curve, and designed a radial mechanism (RM). Then, a prototype of the HTS maglev bogie experiment considering the RM was constructed, and the vibration response of the levitation bogie under different conditions was tested using the HTS ring test line platform. Finally, a dynamic model of the HTS maglev sightseeing vehicle with the RM was established, and the curve passing performance and dynamic response were analyzed. The results confirm that under the action of RMs, the lateral displacement of HTS levitators is significantly reduced, which can effectively improve the curve passing performance of HTS maglev system, providing theoretical basis and reference suggestions for the engineering application of HTS maglev bogie in small curve radius passing scenarios.