Active Control of the Pantograph-Catenary Interaction in a Finite Element Model

Abstract: This work analyzes the implementation of an active train pantograph in a full finite element model in the program Ansys. As controller design method, the H∞ method was taken in order to cope with the different uncertainties in the given system. The focus lies on the contact force between the pantograph and the catenary. The goal was the reduction of the contact force standard deviation in order to allow higher train speeds on existing lines. An additional goal is the use of multi train configurations. This means that two coupled trains with a distance between the two pantographs of 100 meters can run with high speed on existing lines. Current regulations limit the distance to 200 meters. In addition to the active solutions, different modifications of the given pantograph were investigated. The simulations showed that the desired speed of 280 km/h is achieved on existing lines in multi train configuration. For only one train, a speed of up to 300 km/h can be reached. More important, by using an estimator, the standard deviation values for these speeds were still below the limitations and hence, it is possible to implement this solution in a real system.