DYNOLA

Vibration behavior of the overhead line with several pantographs

Project	DYNOLA
Author	02.2021-04.2022: Dipl.-Ing. Sascha Noack from 04.2026: Dipl.-Ing. Fabian Wendrock
Sponsor	German Center for Rail Vehicles at the Federal Railway Authority
Partner	IFB Institute for Railway Technology GmbH

Project description

Rail operations in urban and regional transport are often realized by multiple units in multiple traction. In electrically driven multiple units, several pantographs raised simultaneously interact with the overhead contact line. In particular, the distance between the individual pantographs and their alignment (spur or knee) influence the interaction between the two subsystems. As the number of electric railcars increases, so do the possible variants of pantograph arrangements in the train. Each individual variant generates a different mechanical excitation of the overhead contact line and therefore different contact wire contact strokes and contact forces. Compliance with these normative limit values must be verified during the vehicle approval process by means of time-consuming measurements or, alternatively, simulations.

As part of the project, a computationally efficient simulation method is being developed with which the vibration behavior of various catenary overhead contact lines can be investigated and the resulting contact forces and contact wire strokes can be determined. The object of the research is the investigation of critical pantograph combinations to evaluate the shaft superpositions of specific overhead contact line types and to investigate the effects on contact force and contact wire lift.