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
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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
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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
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Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: 0 %
Share of newly purchased stock: 0 %
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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
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Vehicle - running costs: minor reduction
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Infrastructure - fix costs: none
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Infrastructure - running costs: unchanged
There will be a minor reduction due to reduced wear and tear on catenary.
Scale effects: not applicable
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Amortisation: (no data)
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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.