Friction Induced, Self Excited Vibration of a Pantograph Catenary System

Abstract

A dynamic model of a pantographcatenary system is established. In the model, motion of the pantograph is coupled with that of the catenary by friction. Stability of the pantographcatenary system is studied using the finite element complex eigenvalue method. Numerical results show that there is a strong propensity of selfexcited vibration of the pantographcatenary system when the friction coefficient is greater than 0.1. The dynamic transient analysis results show that the selfexcited vibration of the pantographcatenary system can affect the contact condition between the pantograph and catenary. If the amplitude of the selfexcited vibration is strong enough, the contact may even get lost. Parameter sensitivity analysis shows that the coefficient of friction, static lift force, panhead suspension spring stiffness, tension of contact wire, and the spatial location of pantograph have important influences on the frictioninduced, selfexcited vibration of the pantographcatenary system. Bringing the friction coefficient below a certain level and choosing a suitable static lift force can suppress or eliminate the contact loss between the pantograph and catenary.