Temperature characteristics of sliding friction pair under high-speed and strong-current conditions
To reduce the influence of temperature distribution of pantograph-catenary system on the electrical contact characteristics, a temperature field simulation model was established with COMSOL Multiphysics software. The validity of the model was verified with temperature experiments. Both thermal time constant and steady temperature rise of contact wire were simulated under flexible contact pressure conditions. The thermal time constant decreases gradually and the steady temperature rise firstly decreases then increases with the increase of sliding speed. The thermal time constant are kept constant and steady temperature rise changes slightly with the increase of contact current. When sliding speed and contact current are kept constant, both the thermal time constant and steady temperature rise under flexible contact pressure conditions are smaller than that of under rigid contact pressure conditions. The transient temperature field was also analyzed and the high temperature trailing phenomenon was found and discussed. The conclusions can be used to further research the temperature characteristics of pantograph-catenary system.