Modeling and analysis of transition-point disappearance in high-speed railway pantograph-catenary system

During the operation of high-speed railway, the transition-point disappearance phenomenon, which is caused by the deformation of pantograph head, poses a safety threat to the pantograph-catenary system. In this study, the analytical model for transition-point disappearance analysis is presented. The instantaneous profile, as well as the deformation process of the pantograph head under different contact force values and positions or different pantograph-head parameters can be solved using the model. Curve equation, force analysis, coordinate axis rotation, and few other methods are adopted to achieve simplified modeling. The proposed modeling method and analysis conclusion provide theoretical support for the permissible contact force range calculation and pantograph-head parameters optimization to prevent transition-point disappearance. The effectiveness of the proposed model is verified using both finite element simulation and experimental measurements. Finally, a case analysis for the prevention of transition-point disappearance is conducted, using pantographs with the models CX-GI and DSA250 as examples.