Development of a Method of Calculating the Temperature of a Survey Assembly When Preparing a Train Dispatch

The features of the thermal state of the current collection unit «contact wire – contact insert of the current collector» in the conditions of preparation of electric rolling stock for the journey are considered. As part of the study, a methodology has been developed for estimating the heating temperature of the power sliding contact zone in the conditions of train preparation for journey. Application of the method will help to reduce the number of «burnouts» of the contact wire due to the exact selection of the heating/cooling time of the train for a certain heating/conditioning current when preparing the electric rolling stock for the journey.It was established that the cause of the «burns» of the contact wire in the parking lots when preparing the train dispatch is the excess of the permissible temperature of the power sliding contact as a result of the prolonged action of the heating/conditioning current. The standard approach for determining the duration of heating is based on the average values of the loads on the system and therefore does not take into account some factors, for example, the state of the contact wire, the state of the contact insert of the current collector, the number of cars in the train, and so on. The proposed technique is based on the classical theory of electrical contact and the theory of heating a homogeneous body, which makes it possible to accurately assess the thermal state of the power sliding contact and convenient enough for use in operating conditions.The results of the work are of practical value, since the technology of preparing a train for dispatch can be supplemented by calculating the contact temperature «contact wire element – contact insert element» in accordance with the proposed methodology. This will allow for a specific train in specific conditions to apply a set of measures to prevent «burnout» of the contact wire in the event of a possible temperature exceeding the permissible value.