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Some aspects about the influence on the current collection of the aerodynamic action on a pantograph, due to the incoming flow generated by train speed are investigated considering pantograph-catenary dynamic interaction. Starting from the quasi-steady theory formulation of the drag and lift forces on the collectors, and considering the turbulence of the incoming flow, the dynamic variation of the contact force between pantograph and catenary is taken into account, within an already developed simulation model. Aerodynamic coefficients of the collectors are obtained from wind tunnel measurements, and the aerodynamic forces are applied to the collectors of the pantograph. The interrelation among the geometry of the collector suspension, the collector shape, and the level of the incoming wind turbulence, and their effect on the contact force, are all considered in this article by means of numerical simulation. Results concerning the advantage of modifying the shape of the collector are outlined.

Optical fiber sensors are proposed to detect static and dynamic collector strain for high-speed railway pantograph achieving electromagnetic immunity, nonelectrically conducting and small size. The implemented scheme based on a Michelson’s interferometer with a 3x3 coupler allows local strain measurement insensitive to temperature variations with high reliability guaranteed by the employment of standard 1550 nm optical communications components. By a test rig to experimentally simulate the pantograph-catenary contact-force the sensor performance is compared with typical electric measurement