Publications

List of scientific publications related to the research project

2024

S. Rametti, L. Pierrejean, A. Hodder, and M. Paolone (2024) Pseudo-Three-Dimensional Analytical Model of Linear Induction Motors for High-Speed Applications. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification

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Abstract:

Literature on linear induction motors (LIMs) has proposed several approaches to model the behavior of such devices for different applications. In terms of accuracy and fidelity, field analysis-based models are the most relevant. Closed-form or numerical solutions can be derived, based on the complexity of the model and the underlying hypotheses. In terms of simplicity, equivalent circuit-based models are the most effective, since they can be easily integrated into optimization frameworks. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the literature has not yet provided a computationally efficient LIM analytical model that considers the main characteristics of this type of motor altogether (i.e. finite motor length, magnetomotive force (mmf) space harmonics, slot effect, edge effect, and tail effect) and that is numerically and experimentally validated, especially at high speed (i.e. v ≃ 100ms -1 ). Within this context, this paper proposes a field analysis-based pseudo-three-dimensional model of LIMs that explicitly takes into account the above-mentioned effects. The derived closed-form solution makes the model computationally more effective than traditional f.e.m. models and, therefore, suitable to be coupled with optimization frameworks for optimal LIM design. The performance and accuracy of the proposed model are assessed through numerical simulations and experimental measurements, carried out by means of a dedicated test bench.

L. Pierrejean, S. Rametti, A. Hodder, and M. Paolone (2024) A Review of Modeling, Design and Performance Assessment of Linear Electromagnetic Motors for High-Speed Transportation Systems. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification

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Linear electromagnetic motors (LEMs) have been proposed, developed and used to propel high-speed (i.e. speed > 100 m/s) levitating vehicles. However, few real implementations have demonstrated the feasibility of these machines at such speeds. Furthermore, LEMs are expected to be enabling technologies for levitating vehicles traveling at near sonic speed, such as the Hyperloop concept. This paper presents a systematic review of modeling, design and performance assessment of LEMs used (or proposed) for the propulsion of levitating high-speed vehicles. Among all the possibilities, those that have received the most attention since the 1960s, along with the first magnetic levitation train concepts, are discussed. Classified by operating principle and topology, the LEMs are compared in terms of design and performance via specific key performance indicators. The performance of the various proposed LEMs is assessed on the basis of data available in the literature.

S. Rametti, L. Pierrejean, A. Hodder, and M. Paolone (2024) Analytical Model of Single-Sided Linear Induction Motors for High-Speed Applications

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This article describes a field-based analytical model of single-sided linear induction motors (SLIMs) that explicitly considers the following effects altogether: finite motor length, magnetomotive force mmf space harmonics, slot effect, edge effect, and tail effect. The derived closed-form solution of the system’s differential equations makes the model computationally more efficient than traditional finite elements (f.e.m.) models, and, therefore, more suitable for SLIM design optimization processes. The computational performance and accuracy of the proposed analytical model are validated through numerical simulations (via COMSOL Multiphysics) and experimental measurements carried out through a dedicated test bench.

2022

D. Tudor, T. Govoni, M. Leipold, and M. Paolone (2022) Design of a Hyperloop System MockUp. IEEE 25th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Macau, China, Sept. 18 -Oct. 22, 2022

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The thorough development of the hyperloop system does require the availability of reduced-scale models. They can be used for the fast prototyping of various components, as well as for studying critical phenomena that takes place in this peculiar transportation system without the need to develop complex and expensive full-scale setups. In this respect, in this paper, we present a process for the optimal assessment of the scaling factor; it is to be used for the development of a reduced-scale hyperloop model, starting from the knowledge of the technical characteristics of its full-scale counterpart. The objective of the proposed process is the minimisation of the difference between the normalized power profiles associated with the reduced-scale and full-scale models of a hyperloop capsule traveling along a pre-defined trajectory with a pre-determined speed profile. By considering the hyperloop full-scale model as a reference, we propose a set of equations that link the above-mentioned metric with the constraints dictated by the kinematics of the hyperloop capsule, the capsule’s battery-energy storage and propulsion systems, the capsule’s aerodynamics, and the operating environmental conditions. We then derive a closed-form expression for the assessment of the optimal scaling factor and eventually use it to study the scaled-down version of an application example of a realistic hyperloop system.

2021

D. Tudor, and M. Paolone (2021) Operational-Driven Optimal-Design of a Hyperloop System. Transportation Engineering

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We present an operational-driven optimal-design framework of a Hyperloop system. The novelty of the proposed framework is in the problem formulation that links the operation of a network of Hyperloop capsules, the model of the Hyperloop infrastructure, and the model of the capsule’s propulsion and kinematics. The objective of the optimisation is to minimize the energy consumption of the whole Hyperloop system for different operational strategies. By considering a network of energy-autonomous capsules and various depressurization control strategies of the Hyperloop infrastructure, the constraints of the optimisation problem represent the capsule’s battery energy storage system response, the capsule’s propulsion system and its kinematic model linked with the model of the depressurization system of the Hyperloop infrastructure. Depending on the operational scheme and lengths of the trajectories, the proposed framework determines optimal operating pressures of the Hyperloop infrastructure between 1.5-80mbar along with the maximum capsules cruising speeds. Furthermore, the proposed framework determines maximum operational power of the capsule’s propulsion system in the range between 1.7-5MW with a minimum energy need of 25Wh/passenger/km.

2020

D. Tudor and M. Paolone (2020) Influence of Battery Models on the Optimal Design of the Propulsion System of a Hyperloop Capsule. Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference.

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The paper assesses the influence of equivalent circuit battery models on the optimal design of the propulsion system of an energy-autonomous Hyperloop capsule. By knowing a pre-determined payload to be transported along pre-determined trajectories, the problem minimizes the total number of battery cells supplying the capsule propulsion along with the maximization of its performance. The constraints of the problem embed numerically- tractable models of the main components of the electrical propulsion systems and of the battery. Although the optimization problem is non-convex, its constraints are formulated to exhibit a good numerical tractability. After having determined the solutions influenced by a weighting factor with two different battery models, dominant solutions are identified using specific metrics with the purpose of assessing the impact of the battery model on the determined solutions.

2019

D. Tudor and M. Paolone (2019) Optimal Design of the Propulsion System of a Hyperloop Capsule. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification

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In this article, we focus on the assessment of the optimal design of the propulsion system (PS) of an energy-autonomous Hyperloop capsule supplied by batteries. The novelty in this article is to propose a sizing method for this specific transportation system and answer the question whether the energy and power requirements of the Hyperloop propulsion are compatible with available power-electronics and battery technologies. By knowing the weight of a predetermined payload to be transported along predetermined trajectories, the proposed sizing method minimizes the total number of battery cells that supply the capsule’s propulsion and maximizes its performance. The constraints embed numerically tractable and discrete-time models of the main components of the electrical PS and the battery, along with a kinematic model of the capsule. Although the optimization problem is nonconvex due to the adopted discrete-time formulation, its constraints exhibit a good numerical tractability. After having determined multiple solutions, we identify the dominant ones by using specific metrics. These solutions identify PSs characterized by energy reservoirs with an energy capacity in the order of 0.5 MWh and a power rating below 6.25 MW and enable an energy consumption of 10-50 Wh/km/passenger depending on the length of the trajectory.