Study of the Aerodynamic Performance of Pantograph Bowhead with Serrated Lower Surface in the Thermal Management Systems of the High-Speed Train Electrical Devices

Abstract

The thermal management problems of traction drive systems for high-speed trains are of great importance for the operation reliability of high-speed trains. The thermal performance of transformer and traction rectifier are mainly affected by the aerodynamic performance of pantograph. Nine bowheads with different sawtooth structures on the lower surface are proposed and a CFD numerical model is built with Transition SST turbulence model. The influence of the number and height of sawteeth on the aerodynamic characteristics of the bowhead flow field are investigated. The results show that compared with the rectangular bowhead, the aerodynamic drag of the 5w3h-shaped bowhead is reduced by 8.6%, 8.7%, and 9.9% at train speeds of 250 km/h, 300 km/h, and 350 km/h, respectively. The promotion of aerodynamic performance of pantograph is beneficial to improve the thermal characteristics of traction drive systems for high-speed trains.