Aerodynamic Noise Reduction of a Pantograph by Shape-Smoothing of Panhead and Its Support and by the Surface Covering with Porous Material

Abstract

To reduce aerodynamic noise generated by a pantograph, which is one of the dominant noise sources of high-speed trains, the authors proposed some noise reduction techniques, that is, shape-optimization of a panhead, relaxation of aerodynamic interference between panhead and articulated frame and surface covering with porous material. To evaluate total noise reduction effect of them, wind tunnel tests were performed with a prototype pantograph to which these techniques were applied. The test results show that noise level of the prototype pantograph is lower than that of the currently-used pantograph by about 4 dB. Furthermore, it was also confirmed that the prototype pantograph has enough aerodynamic stability against change of attack angle.