Deliverable D20.2 – Improved aerodynamic, development & amp; demonstration intermediate report No. 2

This report shows the current status of Work Package 20 – Aerodynamics. This work package consists of two tasks, the content of which is strongly linked. The report gives insights on the activities performed since the last report and also clarifies the future work to be performed before the completion of the WP.
The first of the two tasks discusses the development of an accurate numerical method to predict the aerodynamic behaviour of a train model; in the second task the influence of two elements of a regional train on the aerodynamic is examined, namely the train roof components and the pantograph.
One main aim of the work package is to establish a prediction method for aerodynamic loads on a regional train. In task 20.1 the methods identified to be promising in the last report were used to evaluate the flow in the simulated, generic wind tunnel with different stages of refinement and granularity. The different methods were implemented by various partners to ensure that the results could be compared and that an optimized method may be implemented. For the validation, experimental tests in model scale are performed to set up a database with a variation of train roof components. As comparison parameter, the drag of the generic regional train KMF Regio introduced in the first deliverable was tested and the numerical and experimental results will be compared.
In task 20.2.1, the drag of the KMF train shall be reduced by means of the variation of roof installations. A variety of roof configurations was already introduced; these variations will now be tested experimentally in the wind tunnel and selected configurations will be studied with the different numerical codes. The aim of task 20.2.1 is the understanding of the development of drag due to flow structures on the train roof and the reduction of this drag in order to enhance the ecological and financial performance, at last reducing the fuel consumption and CO2 emission.
One of the possible roof installations of a train is the pantograph and its’ aerodynamic behaviour is studied in task 20.2.2. The contact pressure between the pantograph and the power wire can be adjusted using aerodynamic guiding devices. By improving the aerodynamic characteristics of these pantograph components, the power transfer efficiency can be optimized and the abrasion of the wire and the pantograph can be reduced. Therefore, a generic, modular pantograph was designed and the model built in the scaling 1:1 will be studied in the wind tunnel.