Novel analysis methods of dynamic properties for vehicle pantographs

Transmission of electrical energy from a catenary system to traction units must be safe and reliable especially for high speed trains. Modern pantographs have to meet these requirements. Pantographs are subjected to several forces acting on their structural elements. These forces come from pantograph drive, inertia forces, aerodynamic effects, vibration of traction units etc. Modern approach to static and dynamic analysis should take into account: mass distribution of particular parts, physical properties of used materials, kinematic joints character at mechanical nodes, nonlinear parameters of kinematic joints, defining different parametric waveforms of forces and torques, and numerical dynamic simulation coupled with FEM calculations. In this work methods for the formulation of the governing equations of motion are presented. Some of these methods are more suitable for automated computer implementation. The novel computer methods recommended for static and dynamic analysis of pantographs are presented. Possibilities of dynamic analysis using CAD and CAE computer software are described. Original results are also presented. Conclusions related to dynamic properties of pantographs are included. Chapter 2 presents the methods used for formulation of the equation of pantograph motion. Chapter 3 is devoted to modelling of forces in multibody systems. In chapter 4 the selected computer tools for dynamic analysis are described. Chapter 5 shows the possibility of FEM analysis coupled with dynamic simulation. In chapter 6 the summary of this work is presented