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Aerodynamic performance of a pantograph cover for high-speed train

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Abstract

Three-dimensional unsteady turbulent flow around Faiveley CX pantograph was described by large-eddy simulations. The aerodynamic force distributions on the structures of the pantograph were explored comparing non-cover and cover cases against the incoming flow velocity of 200, 300, 400 km/h. The averaged drag and lift forces exerted on each component of the pantograph followed the second-order polynomial relations against the incoming flow velocity. The pantograph cover reduced the overall drag forces on the pantograph because the large recirculating zone with the strong negative pressure affected to the lower parts of the pantograph. In addition, when the pantograph cover was employed, the wall-normal direction of the lift force was changed from positive (uplift force) to negative (down force). By using the force and momentum balance considering all components of the pantograph, its aerodynamic uplift force was estimated, which was improved by including the specific forces around the knee joints, where the strong flow directly impinged. The pantograph cover reduced the mean and standard deviation values of the aerodynamic uplift forces as 40∼48 % and 5∼17 % compared to those for non-cover cases. Although more power was necessary to raise up the panhead to contact the catenary wire, it would help to improve the controller design to maintain the current collection performance by decreasing the uplift force fluctuations.

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Abbreviations

CG :

Center of gravity

C S :

Smagorinsky constant

D :

Depth of the pantograph cover

F Ay :

Reaction force at the contact point between the panhead and the catenary

F uplift :

Aerodynamic uplift force of the pantograph system

G(x,x′) :

Space filter

HST :

High-speed train

k :

Turbulent kinetic energy

LES :

Large-eddy simulation

Lx :

Streamwise domain length

Ly :

Wall-normal domain length

Lz :

Spanwise domain length

M :

Mach number

p :

Pressure

rms :

Root mean square

SGS :

Subgrid-scale

S ij :

Strain-rate tensor

STD :

Standard deviation

t :

Time

Δt :

Time step

U 0 :

Uniform incoming velocity

U x :

Streamwise mean velocity

U y :

Wall-normal mean velocity

u i :

Velocity components according to the directions in the cartesian coordinate

WMLES :

Wall-modeled LES

x i :

Directions in the cartesian coordinate

x :

Streamwise direction

y :

Wall-normal direction

Δy+:

Non-dimensionalized wall-normal spacing by the viscous wall unit

z :

Spanwise direction

Δ :

Space filter (grid size)

V :

Kinematic viscosity of fluid

V SGS :

SGS stress tensor by the turbulent viscosity

ρ :

Density of fluid

σ ij :

Viscosity stress tensor

T ij :

Subgrid-scale stress tensor

ω :

Turbulent dissipation rate

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (No. 2020R1G1A1003512) and Korea National University of Transportation Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation in 2021.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Korea

    Seung Joong Kim

  2. Department of Transportation System Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, 157 Cheoldobangmulgwan-ro, Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16106, Korea

    Hyeokbin Kwon

  3. Department of Railway Vehicle System Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, 157 Cheoldobangmulgwan-ro, Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16106, Korea

    Junsun Ahn

Authors
  1. Seung Joong Kim
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  2. Hyeokbin Kwon
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  3. Junsun Ahn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Junsun Ahn.

Additional information

Seung Joong Kim received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST. His research interests include turbulence, drag reduction and flow induced noise.

Hyeokbin Kwon is a Professor of the Department of Transportation System Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. He received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Seoul National University. His research interests include railway aerodynamics and future transportation system design.

Junsun Ahn is an Assistant Professor of the Ddepartment of Railway Vehicle System Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Uiwang, Gyeonggido, Korea. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST. His research interests include turbulence, flow control and railway aerodynamics.

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Kim, S.J., Kwon, H. & Ahn, J. Aerodynamic performance of a pantograph cover for high-speed train. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 4681–4693 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0823-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0823-9

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