Multi-physics analysis of a novel circular pantograph catenary system for high-speed trains
ISSN: 0332-1649
Article publication date: 4 May 2020
Issue publication date: 7 July 2021
Abstract
Purpose
In high-speed trains, the energy is supplied from a high voltage catenary to the vehicle via a pantograph catenary system (PCS). Carbon pantograph strips must maintain continuous contact with the wire to ensure safety and reliability. The contact is often confined to a particular spot, resulting in excessive wear due to mechanical and thermal damage, exacerbated by the presence of an electric arc and associated electrochemical corrosion. The effectiveness and reliability of the PCS impacts on the performance and safety of HSTs, especially under high-speed conditions. To alleviate some of these adverse effects, this paper aims to propose a configuration where a circular PCS replaces the currently used pantograph strips.
Design/methodology/approach
Two dynamic multi-physics models of a traditional PCS with a carbon strip and a novel PCS with a circular pantograph strip catenary system are established, and the electrical and mechanical characteristics of these two systems are compared. Moreover, a PCS experimental platform is designed to verify the validity and accuracy of the multi-physics model.
Findings
A novel circular pantograph system is proposed in this paper to alleviate some of the shortcomings of the traditional PCS. Comparing with a traditional PCS, the circular PCS exhibits superior performance in both electromagnetic and thermal aspects.
Originality/value
The paper offers a new technical solution to the PCS and develops a dedicated multi-physics model for analysis and performance prediction with the aim to improve the performance of the PCS. The new system offers numerous benefits, such as less friction heat, better heat dispersion and improved catenary-tracking performance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China under Grant 51707166 and in part by the Scientific Research Project of Central University Grant 2682018CX16, as well as the Sichuan Science and Technology General Project Grant 2019YJ0213.
Citation
Xiao, S., Luo, Y., Wu, J., Zhang, C., Rao, Y., Wu, G. and Sykulski, J. (2021), "Multi-physics analysis of a novel circular pantograph catenary system for high-speed trains", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 95-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-01-2020-0014
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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