An integrated vehicle and electromagnetic propulsion unit for ahigh-speed material transport system

摘要

The concept of a high-speed, high-acceleration, material transportsystem based on distributed linear induction motors, power conversionand controllers interconnected via a high-speed communication network isproposed for flexible manufacturing systems. The authors focus on oneaspect of the proposed transport system, the integrated electromagneticpropulsion unit, and highlight the associated key technologies that arecurrently under development. The technologies include linear motortopological design; articulated vehicle dynamics; observer-based motioncontrol; and distributed power conversion. Central to each of thesetechnologies are the issues of system robustness and high performance interms of high acceleration, high velocities, and control