Effect of different typical high speed train pantograph recess configurations on aerodynamic noise

Abstract

For high-speed trains, the aerodynamic noise becomes an essential consideration in the train design. The pantograph and pantograph recess are recognised as important sources of aerodynamic noise. This paper studies the flow characteristics and noise contributions of three typical high-speed train roof configurations, namely a cavity, a ramped cavity and a flat roof with side insulation plates. The Improved Delayed Detached-Eddy Simulation approach is used for the flow calculations and the Ffowcs Williams & Hawkings aeroacoustic analogy is used for far-field acoustic predictions. Simulations are presented for a simplified train body at 1/10 scale and 300 km/h with these three roof configurations. In each case, two simplified pantographs (one retracted and one raised) are located on the roof. Analysis of the flow fields obtained from numerical simulations clearly shows the influence of the train roof configuration on the flow behaviour, including flow separations, reattachment and vortex shedding, which are potential noise sources. A highly unsteady flow occurs downstream when the train roof has a cavity or ramped cavity due to flow separation at the cavity trailing edge, while vortical flow is generated by the side insulation plates. For the ramped cavity configuration, moderately large pressure fluctuations appear on the cavity outside walls in the upstream region due to unsteady flow from the upstream edge of the plate. The raised pantograph, roof cavity, and ramped cavity are identified as the dominant noise sources. When the retracted pantograph is located in the ramped roof cavity, its noise contribution is less important. Furthermore, the insulation plates also generate tonal components in the noise spectra. Of the three configurations considered, the roof cavity configuration radiates the least noise at the side receiver in terms of A-weighted level.