Novel Graphene Allocating Carbon–Copper Ratio Method for the Rail Vehicle Propulsion System Ground Carbon Brush

Abstract

This study proposed graphene allocating carbon−copper ratio (GACCR) for the grounding carbon brush of rail vehicle propulsion systems. The proposed GACCR is the key component of grounding apparatuses, and the system effectiveness can be enhanced by increasing the electro-conductive efficiency of the grounding carbon brush. The proposed GACCR applies physical vapor deposition, which uses a sputtering system to control the vacuum and temperature, thereby adjusting the copper to carbon ratio, and fabricate optimized graphene. This study employed an energy dispersive spectrometer to observe the graphite flake corrugated stack architecture on the surface of grounding carbon brush, and analyze the composition. A four−point probe was used to measure the impedance characteristic. The characteristics of graphite film were detected using a Raman spectrometer. The G peak of 1580 cm-1 and the 2D peak at 2750 cm-1 formed the two−dimensional structure of graphite film. Finally, this study took the underground rail vehicle as an example. The grounding carbon brush with the proposed GACCR was compared with traditional graphite grounding carbon brush to assess the economic benefit of periodically changing the grounding carbon brush of rail vehicles every three years. The proposed GACCR can save 112000 USD (35% compared to the original replacement grounding carbon brush cost) for Taiwan Metro, proving its significant cost−benefit effect.