Influence of aerodynamic parameters of current collector on current collection at movement speeds up to 160 km/h

Abstract

Introduction. This article investigates the influence of the aerodynamic parameters of the current collector on the contact force. For this purpose, the influence in the speed range up to 160 km/h on the quality of the current collection, in particular on the increased wear of the current collector contact strips, was determined.Materials and methods. A method for calculating aerodynamic forces was developed using mathematical modelling by the method of computational fluid dynamics. The current collector can be conditionally divided into three parts: the base, the current collector lifting mechanism and the current collector head. The main characteristic of this interaction is the force with which the head is pressed against the contact wire and the stability of this force in dynamically changing external conditions.Results. The simulation performed showed that at a speed of about 140 km/h, head vibrations occur that change the contact force. This made it possible to explain the increased wear of the inserts during testing and commissioning of electric trains of the ES2G and ET4A types, which use the same type of current collectors. The presence of the current collector holder near its head, which is a pipe located along the entire length of the head at a slight distance, fundamentally changes the flow pattern. Based on the performed mathematical modelling, changes were made to the design of the current collector head in order to improve its aerodynamic properties. Other current-collecting elements were used to ensure stable aerodynamic properties of the head in a given speed range.Discussion and conclusion. The introduced changes made it possible to solve the problem with increased wear of the contact strips at a speed of up to 160 km/h. The conducted studies and the introduction of changes in GOST 32204–2013 based on these studies will improve the reliability and durability of the current collection devices.