A Test Study on Interface Dynamics of Current Collection System in High Speed Trains

Using a test run data, the dynamics of the interface between the catenary and pantograph constituting the current collection system in high-speed trains are investigated. The test run signals are analyzed to determine the dynamic parameters critical to the current collection performance. There are found to be frequency components of the pantograph motion that are dependent on train speed as well as components that are stationary such as the resonant mode of the panhead suspension in the pantograph. From contact force measurement using load cell, the mean contact force was found to be stable while the fluctuating component was found to be dependent on the range of the frequency of the pantograph motion taken into account. The finding implies that numerical investigations reported in the literature that are based on lumped element models of the catenary and/or pantograph provide accurate predictions on the mean value but are of limited use in estimating fluctuation of the contact force. It is concluded that simulation studies based on lumped-element models which do not incorporate panhead structural vibration modes is inaccurate at high train speeds.