A Study of Pneumatic and Hydraulic Active Suspension of Railway Vehicle


Kimiaki SASAKI, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Technology Development Div., Technological Development Dept.

An active suspension system of railway vehicle is discussed. This system copes with three modes (vertical, lateral, rolling) of vibrations of carbody. The vehicle dynamics is modeled as a 7-degree of freedom model which includes the characteristic effect of lateral force and yawing moment of railway vehicle. In this study, two types of pneumatic control systems and a hydraulic control system are implemented. These three control systems are submitted to a bench test respectively on the rolling stock test plant. As a result each vibration mode of carbody is reduced to 1/2 - 1/3. One vibration mode causing an interaction of another mode of vibration is also reduced.