Comparisons of aerodynamic noise results between computations and experiments for a high-speed train pantograph

Aerodynamic noise induced by interaction with the air flow becomes particularly important as train speeds increase. For modern electric high-speed trains, one of the main aerodynamic noise sources is the pantograph which normally sits in a cavity on the train roof. A component-based model, based on empirical constants obtained from available literature, is applied in this paper to predict pantograph noise in realistic conditions. The predictions are compared with field measurements obtained by using a microphone array. Comparisons are made for two types of train fitted with different pantographs, running at different speeds. Good agreement of the far-field noise spectrum with the measurements are obtained for both pantographs. The individual contributions from the panhead and knee-joint are analysed. The dominant source is found at the panhead whereas the knee-joint is of less importance. In addition, through the model, a detailed component spectral analysis is presented for the first pantograph