Development of High Performance Inter-Car Oil Damper with Pressured N₂ Gas for Railway Vehicle

Abstract

This paper deals with a development of inter-car oil damper used in longitudinal direction between railway vehicles. Loading tests and field-tests as well as theoretical analysis are conducted to understand the characteristics of conventional damper working in practical displacement. Based on the test results, an oil damper with pressured N₂ gas is developed and the damping performance is examined in the numerical simulation. The trial dampers are equipped on Series 700 Shinkansen vehicles for running tests. It is shown that pressured N₂ gas in a longitudinal damper maintains high bulk module of oil, as a result, higher kinetic energy can be absorbed and riding comfort is improved especially in tunnel sections.