A Basic Study on Aerodynamic Noise Reduction Techniques for a Pantograph Head Using Plasma Actuators

Reducing aerodynamic noise emitted from a pantograph head is an important environmental factor to be examined in the light of increasing the running speed of Shinkansen trains. This paper discusses control of flow around the pantograph head using plasma actuators. The results of the wind tunnel tests show that plasma actuators can prevent flow separation from the pantograph head surface and weaken Karman vortices. In addition, CFD results indicate that the plasma actuators can reduce aerodynamic noise emitted from the pantograph head.