Enhancing Adhesion Performance of High-Speed Trains Using Active Synergy of Electromagnetic Actuator and Anti-Slip Control

Higher running speed and more complex operating circumstances are the development trends for future high-speed trains. Due to these two key features, robust anti-slip control system and powerful traction/braking capability are necessary. This paper presents a new methodology to achieve maximum wheel-rail adhesion and reinforce traction/braking capacity based on wheel-rail contact condition recognition, sliding mode control, and the assistance of electromagnetic actuators. The proposed anti-slip strategy is implemented in a three-dimensional high-speed train-track coupled dynamics model. Effects of the control strategy on the traction/braking performance and the wheel-rail dynamic interactions of high-speed trains under complex contact conditions are simulated and discussed. The influence of electromagnetic actuators on wheel surface wear and rail deformation is also investigated. It is shown that the combination of electromagnetic actuator and sliding mode algorithm derived anti-slip control have a significant synergy effect on wheel-rail interactions and adhesion performance. Compared with the traditional anti-slip control methods, the proposed control strategy can effectively improve the traction/braking performance of high-speed trains with acceptable side effects on wheel surface wear and rail deformation.