Methods for predicting the wear of contact inserts of electric rolling stock pantographs

Abstract

The use of current-collecting contact elements with an extended service life is one of the most economical and least costly ways to ensure reliable, economical and environmentally friendly power transmission to the rolling stock. To assess and predict the service life, Omsk State Transport University developed and successfully tested a methodology for conducting experimental studies of contact inserts for pantographs, including bench tests of each pair of contact materials. The obtained test results are the initial data for predicting the wear of elements of contact pairs and assessing their service life in real operating conditions. Prediction of wear and service life of contact elements is carried out using mathematical modeling of wear processes, taking into account the maximum possible number of factors that negatively affect the elements. The purpose of this article is to improve the method for predicting wear, taking into account high speeds. The use of a mathematical model in forecasting makes it possible to reduce time and labor costs by 2.5 - 3 times for conducting experimental studies and assessing the resource of an element of a contact pair.

Modelling on the synergy of mechanical and electrical wear in a current line/catenary-pantograph system

“…−𝛼 = 2 𝛼 𝑘 1 (7) and the NWR for the Kasperovski and graphite current collectors can be written as following, respectively: It is noted that the sum of 𝑁𝑊𝑅 4 + 𝑁𝑊𝑅 5 is negative because of the convergent binominal series. In other words, these negative components have the effect of reducing the total wear rate NWR.…”

“…For the contact pair of the current collector and the current line, both electrical current and mechanical loading exist under a relative sliding movement. With more difficulties encountered for the onsite measurement of their wear rate [1,2], experimental measurement in the laboratory using specially designed wear tester is a more common practice for the product development [3][4][5][6][7]. The wear of the contact pair subjected to both mechanical loading and electrical current is found to develop three wear patterns: thermal wear, arc erosion and abrasive wear [3].…”