DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-REACH PANTOGRAPHS FOR HIGH-SPEED RAILWAYS

Abstract

The pantograph’s purpose is to transfer electrical power from the overhead contact line to the train’s electric propulsion unit. To perform its function adequately, it is necessary to maintain the static contact force between the pantograph and the contact line within the values prescribed by appropriate standards for the entire extension range of the pantograph. The requirement to reach high contact lines complicates the kinematic scheme because the deviation of the trajectory of the pantograph’s collector head from vertical is also prescribed by standards. Further, the structural design of the pantograph is challenging because the greater slenderness ratio of the structure makes it difficult to meet the requirements in terms of stiffness and resistance to vibrations. While at low speeds aerodynamic forces are usually neglected, in high-speed pantographs, they have a significant impact and it is necessary to compensate for them. An aggravating circumstance is the requirement that the pantograph should work in both knuckle-downstream and knuckle-upstream directions. This paper aims to present the development of a high-speed high–reach pantograph that is developed through the cooperation of company Minel General Electric and the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering as well as to present innovative designs of gravitational and aerodynamical compensations that enabled the satisfaction of requested requirements in terms of geometric and static performance.