An experimental approach for analyzing pantograph noise contribution

The noise generated from high-speed train is a major cause of discomfort and fatigue for passengers and bystanders. Aero-acoustic noise is particularly troublesome because it increases sharply when train speed increases, as opposed to noise caused by rolling and traction. The main sources of aeroacoustic noise in high-speed trains include the front of the train, the inter-coach spacing, and the pantograph. Of these sources, the pantograph is the only source projected outside of the train in contact with high-voltage electric cables, which transmit electrical power to the train. In this sense, it is difficult to distinguish the characteristics of the noise generated in the pantograph from the noise emitted by each major element by attaching a noise sensor to the pantograph. Therefore, we investigated the characteristics and the influence of the aero-acoustic noise generated from a pantograph using various experimental approaches in a wind tunnel facility.