Analysis of the stability regions of superconducting electrodynamic suspension train in the levitation and guidance directions

Superconducting electrodynamic suspension (SC-EDS) train, due to its large levitation gap, high lift-to-drag ratio, and self-stabilization features, has significant application potential in high-speed and ultra-high-speed maglev transportation. However, its unique technical principles and underactuated dynamics pose challenges in ensuring stability and safety during operation. This paper analyzes the stability regions of the SC-EDS train in the levitation and guidance directions. An improved method for estimating the stability regions of the SC-EDS train is proposed. Simulation results reveal that the train is not globally asymptotically stable and has limited stability regions in the levitation and guidance directions, whose areas change with running velocity. The results mean that significant disturbances may push the train beyond its stability regions and prevent it from returning to equilibrium state, and therefore implicate the importance of considering stability regions when designing safety protection and control strategies for the SC-EDS train.