Numerical study on the effect of pantograph fairing on aerodynamic performance at various train heights

Abstract

The pantograph is one of the primary sources of aerodynamic drag and noise during the operation of a high-speed train. To investigate the impact of the pantograph fairing on the aerodynamic performance at various train heights, six computational models are established, and the Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation method is employed. The results indicate that the installation of the fairing can effectively reduce the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the high-speed train and pantograph at different train heights. As the train height increases, the drag reduction effect of the fairing enhances when the sinking platform coexists. The overall drag reduction rate of up to 4.30% can be achieved at a train height of 4000 mm. However, the larger reduction rate of 58.32% in the pantograph's drag coefficient at a train height of 3700 mm indicates that the fairing could make a greater effect on the pantograph at a smaller train height. The reduction in train height and pantograph sinking height leads to an increase in drag coefficient on the tail car, and the implementation of the fairing further amplifies the drag. This work offers a reference for optimizing the aerodynamic performance of high-speed train.

KEYWORDS:

• High-speed train
• fairing
• pantograph
• sinking platform
• drag reduction

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the computing resources provided by the High Performance Computing Public Platform of Central South University, China.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China [grant number 2022YFB4301104], the Youth Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 12202506], the Science and Technology Research and Development Plan of China National Railway Group Co., Ltd [grant number P2021J036, P2023J001, P2023J003], the Youth Program of Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China [grant number S2021JJQNJJ2519, S2021JJQNJJ2716], and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University [grant number 2023ZZTS0686].