On the use of a hardware in the loop set-up for pantograph dynamics evaluation

The operation of high-speed trains requires higher performance of the pantograph–catenary dynamic interaction, in order to ensure a satisfactory quality of the current collection. Both numerical and experimental approaches are available to assess the dynamic performance of a pantograph coupled with a catenary. In order to reduce the duration of in-line tests, it would be desirable to perform dynamic laboratory tests on the pantograph, that to some extent reproduce the basic features of the real environment. This paper presents a hardware in the loop test-rig, which allows to reproduce the dynamic interaction between pantograph and catenary. In particular, a real pantograph is coupled with a virtual simulated catenary. Using this laboratory set-up, the pantograph dynamics can be evaluated in conditions close to real ones. Some examples of application of the proposed test-rig are also presented.