High-speed contact performance of catenary-pantograph system. 1st report. Experimental study on standard system using scaled model.

Abstract

A dynamically scaled model, which simulates quantitatively the property at twice the testing speed of 160 km/h, is used to make clear how the performance of the existing system deteriorates with an increase in speed, concentrated mass or a decrease in tension of the contact wire and how the system can be improved. Contact loss and stress of contact wire become so large that it is considered impossible to realize satisfactory current collection at a speed of 300 km/h with no improvement. It is also found that these factors depend mainly on the wave propagating velocity of contact wire and can be eliminated by introducing a higher tensioned or perhaps a lighter contact wire.