Electrical Characteristics of the Pantograph-Catenary Arc in Urban Rail Transit Under Different Air Pressure Conditions
Xiaoying Yu,
Liying Song (),
Yang Su,
Junrui Yang,
Xiaojuan Lu,
Caizhuo Wei,
Yongjia Cheng and
Yixiao Liu
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Xiaoying Yu: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Liying Song: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yang Su: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Junrui Yang: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Xiaojuan Lu: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Caizhuo Wei: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yongjia Cheng: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yixiao Liu: School of Automation & Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-11
Abstract:
Nowadays, urban rail transit is expanding towards high-elevation zones, and the effect of the low air pressure environment on the pantograph-catenary system is becoming increasingly prominent. As a key indicator for evaluating the electrical contact performance of a pantograph-catenary system, research on the electrical characteristics of the pantograph-catenary arc is of great significance. For this reason, this paper established a plasma mathematical model applicable to the arc of the urban rail transit bow network based on the theory of magnetohydrodynamics. The mathematical model of the pantograph-catenary arc was used to set the relevant initial conditions. Based on COMSOL Multiphysics finite element simulation software, this study developed a multi-physics simulation model of the pantograph-catenary arc and systematically analysed its voltage characteristics and current density distribution under varying air pressure conditions. The results showed that as the air pressure decreases, the potential at the axial points declines, the pressure drop across the arc poles becomes more pronounced, and the current density decreases accordingly. This study provides theoretical and technical support for optimizing the design of and promoting the sustainable development of urban rail transit pantograph-catenary systems in high-altitude areas.
Keywords: pantograph-catenary arc; air pressure environment; multi-physics simulation; electrical characteristics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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