Structural Analysis and Dynamic Simulation of Heavy Haul Train Coupler With Draft Gear for Rotational Effect
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Date
2015-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Coupler and draft gear package is the most important parts of heavy haul train .In my thesis basic consideration is the structural analysis and rotational behaviour effects of heavy haul train coupler and draft gear .The structural analysis of the coupler and draft gear was analyzed by ANSYS software and the 3D modeling by CATIA .The important of structural analysis is used to determine the strength of the coupler material, the maximum deformation and stress that acted on the coupler simply determined .Those helps us to determine the critical part needs more maintenance , and also used to determine which part is wear easily. Finally the structural analysis of coupler with draft gear is important in order to increasing the performance of the heavy haul train, decreasing of the train derailment due to coupler effects.
When a locomotive coupler rotates at an angle, the lateral component of the coupler force has an adverse effect on the locomotive’s safety, particularly in heavy haul trains. In this paper, a model of four locomotives and three couplers, a 100-ton heavy haul train is developed to analyse the rotation behaviour of the locomotive’s coupler system and its effect on the dynamic behaviour of such a train’s when operating on straight and curved tracks. The train model includes detailed coupler and draft gear with which to consider the hysteretic characteristics of the rubber draft gear model, the friction characteristics of the coupler knuckles, and the alignment-control characteristics of the coupler shoulder. The results indicate that the coupler’s rotation behaviour differs between the lateral force, longitudinal force and vertical forces, significantly affecting the locomotive’s running performance under the braking condition. A larger coupler rotation angle generates a larger lateral component, which increases the wheel set’s lateral force and the derailment coefficient. Decreasing the maximum coupler free angle can improve the locomotive’s operational performance and safety. Based on these results, the recommended maximum coupler free angle is 5◦.the dynamic simulation of individual coupler rotational angle due to parameter variation of forces. This parameter variation helps as to understand the coupler maximum rotational angles due to the lateral forces.
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Keywords
Structural analysis, coupler Rotational angle, Rotational angle behaviour and effects, lateral force, longitudinal force, vertical forces, parameter variation