INTERACTION DYNAMICS BETWEEN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLES PANTOGRAPH AND THE ROAD

In this paper, we briefly describe the patented E-TRAN electric roadwa y & vehicle concept and then proceed to study the dynamic effects of a n associated road pantograph in contact with a road mounted power stri p. During usage, the road pantograph (supported underneath the vehicle ) allows power to be drawn from the strip for powering the motor drive n vehicle. From a mechanical point of view, friction, wear and dynamic bounce effects impact the reliability and maintainability of the pant ograph/strip concept. To study bounce effects, a dynamic model of a on e degree of freedom road pantograph was developed for both contact and noncontact situations. These dynamic ''bounce'' effects were simulate d using a MATRIXx(TM) based model of the road pantograph and associate d road surface (and strip). In order to do so, several simulation issu es had to be addressed (some of which may be of interest to those stud ying wheel/rail contact effects). To corroborate the dynamic model, an instrumented experimental pantograph/road simulator was fabricated. R easonable correspondence was achieved between the experimentally measu red and simulated support forces and pantograph angle. Parametric vari ations in the design were also studied through simulation. The work pr esented serves as a paradigm for designing, building, and testing road pantographs for specific applications.