Aerodynamic optimisation of pantographs

evaluated

Pantographs account for some 8 % of the aerodynamic drag of a train and play an important role for noise emission. Pantograph optimisation is usually focussed on noise reduction rather than air drag.

Technology field: Aerodynamics and friction



General information

	Description
		The pantographs account for some 8 % of the aerodynamic drag of a train and play an important role for noise emission. Pantographs therefore present some optimisation potential. An R&D programme at DB AG is studying optimisation potential of high-speed pantographs by introducing single arm construction etc. However pantograph optimisation is usually focussed on the reduction of noise emission and contact force dynamics rather than air drag. The project "Actively controlled Single arm Pantograph (ASP)" by DB AG and Bombardier Transportation follows a different technological approach. At the heart of this development lies a control circuit influencing the movement of the pantograph by means of actuators in such a way that contact force fluctuation is minimised. The resulting pantograph will also show better aerodynamic behaviour.

General criteria

	Status of development: prototype
		R&D at DB AG involving CFD analyses of different aerodynamic optimisation steps. In another project of DB AG in co-operation with Bombardier, a prototype of an Actively controlled Single arm Pantograph (ASP) was developed and tested in the wind channel and at a pantograph test bench.

	Time horizon for broad application: 5 - 10 years
		(no details available)

	Expected technological development: dynamic
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	Motivation:
		Noise reduction Reduced contact force fluctuation Reduction of wear and tear

	Benefits (other than environmental): medium
		Reduced contact force fluctuation This reduces wear and tear both of catenary and pantograph and allows for higher train speeds.

	Barriers: low
		(no details available)

	Success factors:
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	Applicability for railway segments: high
	Type of traction: electric - DC, electric - AC
	Type of transportation: passenger - main lines, passenger - high speed
		(no details available)

	Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
	Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: 0 %
	Share of newly purchased stock: 0 %
		(no details available)

	Market potential (railways): medium
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	Example:
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Environmental criteria

	Impacts on energy efficiency:
	Energy efficiency potential for single vehicle: < 2%
	Energy efficiency potential throughout fleet: < 1%
		There is no experimental data available on air drag effects of aerodynamic pantograph design. Given that pantographs come up for ~8% of air resistance, and assuming that in high-speed traffic some 60% of total energy demand (including comfort energy) are owed to air drag, the pantograph will account for about 5% of total energy consumption. It seems therefore realistic to assume that the corresponding optimisation potential is less than 2%.

	Other environmental impacts: neutral
		Noise reduction

Economic criteria

	Vehicle - fix costs: low
		(no details available)

	Vehicle - running costs: minor reduction
		(no details available)

	Infrastructure - fix costs: none
		(no details available)

	Infrastructure - running costs: unchanged
		There will be a minor reduction due to reduced wear and tear on catenary.

	Scale effects: not applicable
		(no details available)

	Amortisation: (no data)
		(no details available)

Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)

Overall rating

	Overall potential: interesting
	Time horizon: mid-term
		From an energy efficiency point of view, aerodynamic optimisation of pantographs is expected to produce only minor but still non-negligible improvements.

References / Links: Schulte-Werning et al. 1998; Baldauf et al. 2001

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date created: 2002-10-09