Hitachi Propulsion, Braking & Power

The large scale Hitachi monorail typically has 4 cars permanently coupled. The main feeder voltage is 1500VDC. There are 16 (2 per bogie, 4 per car, 16 per train) AC traction motors @ 75kW (100.5 hp) each. Braking is regenerative with disc brakes for low speed stopping. Modern Japanese monorails and Shinkansen use VVVF (Variable-Voltage, Variable Frequency) three-phase asynchronous AC traction motors. The Tokyo Tama Intercity Monorail was the first to make use of VVVF inverters in its control system. This technology offers the combined advantages of reduced energy consumption and improved passenger comfort. The maximum speed of this class of monorail is 50 mph (80 kph). Current collection is by side sliding pantograph, as in all straddle beam monorails.

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