A Flow Control Technique Utilizing Air Blowing to Modify the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Pantograph for High-Speed Train

Abstract

To modify aerodynamic characteristics of pantographs for high-speed trains, we propose to blow air from the surface of a panhead. The outlets for air blowing are bored in rows near the trailing edge of the panhead. To estimate the effect of the blowing, we first conduct a wind tunnel test using a two-dimensional panhead model. The results reveal that the pressure distribution on the model can be changed by the blowing. Then we examine a full-scale pantograph model by a wind tunnel test to prove that the proposed method has a great potential for practical applications.