Simulation of Active Wheelset Steering for an Electric Locomotive

Department of Automotive, Combustion Engine and Railway Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Technicka 4, 160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic

Abstract

Reduction of the force interaction between vehicle and track is strongly desirable for many reasons. Because conventional methods of reduction of wheel-rail contact forces, based on tuning of vehicle suspension parameters or utilising various mechanisms acting between wheelsets, bogie-frames and car-body, reach their limits, active controlled systems are becoming a promising solution of the problem. The paper is created within the project which aim is to design a system of active wheelset steering for an electric four-axle locomotive. The project consists of three main stages: multibody simulations, scaled roller rig experiments and field tests. One of the important elements of wheelset steering system is the estimation of the actual track curvature. The paper focuses on the track curvature calculation based on the rotation of the bogies towards the bogie-frame. The method of track curvature calculation is proposed and assessed across varying track radiuses, vehicle speeds and friction conditions.