High-Speed Catenary-Pantograph Interaction Dynamics in Multiple Pantograph Operations

The limitation on the top velocity of high-speed trains concerns the ability to supply, through the pantograph-catenary interface, the energy required to run the engines. Loss of contact leads to interruption of energy supply and to arcing between the collector bow and the contact wire, leading to the deterioration of the functional conditions. To investigate the systems interfacing a correct representation of the pantograph-catenary dynamics is necessary, which implies that the software used for analysis, design or to support maintenance decisions is accurate and efficient while allowing modeling all details relevant to train operation. Generally, high speed trains are operated with multiple pantographs in contact with the catenary raising several problems including the mutual influence of the leading and trailing pantographs. Here, a fully three-dimensional methodology for the computational analysis of the interaction between catenary and pantographs is presented, including catenary finite element models and pantograph multibody models. A penalty contact formulation is applied to couple the two subsystems. A study high speed trains running at different velocities and separations between pantographs is presented showing that the performance of the rear pantograph is influenced by the front collector system and vice-versa depending on their separation and on catenary damping.

Keywords:

High-Speed Railway , Virtual Homologation , Virtual Testing , Contact Mechanics , Compatibility