Curve Negotiation Performance of High-Temperature Superconducting Maglev Based on Guidance Force Experiments and Dynamic Simulations

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev has the potential in high-speed transportation owning to its capability of passive stabilization. As an important research field of vehicle dynamics in HTS maglev area, the curve negotiation performance is in connection with the vehicles' operational safety and comfort. This article reports the curve negotiation performance of the HTS maglev through three steps. First, the guidance force is measured to determine the safe motion range, and the range will be used as the indicator of the safety. Second, the dynamic model of HTS maglev vehicle "Super-Maglev" is established and compared with the experimental results to verify the correctness. The magnetic guideway irregularity is measured, and the measured value is used as the input of dynamic simulation. Finally, the dynamic curve negotiation characteristics of maglev vehicle are simulated. Results show the HTS maglev freight vehicle can safely pass through the curves at a certain speed without external rail superelevation. However, as a passenger vehicle, it can pass through the curve safely and smoothly when the suspension system and the superelevation are added. The curve radius of HTS maglev line, the superelevation outer rail, and the suspension parameters of maglev vehicle are also suggested in this article.