Flexible-elastomer-based active radial embedded actuation system of railway vehicles

Abstract

To improve the integration of active radial systems of railway vehicles and their adaptability to the vehicle structure, this paper proposes an active radial actuation system based on flexible elastomers. The execution unit of the system has a compact layout and can be embedded in an axle box. The core functional component is a flexible elastic oil-filled rubber bladder, which has active radial actuating capabilities and provides primary longitudinal suspension stiffness. To clarify these aspects of the execution unit, the typical physical properties of the rubber bladder are analysed using a fluid-structure-interaction finite element analysis method. The resulting calculation data are used to formulate the response characteristic equation of the execution unit. This equation is used to establish a simulation model of the actuation system, and the response characteristics of the proposed actuation system and traditional hydraulic cylinder are analysed and compared. The results show that the proposed system exhibits better following performance. Subsequently, the SIMPACK-SIMULINK co-simulation results indicate that the system can realize an effective primary longitudinal suspension; further, in the active radial mode, the performance indexes of vehicle curve passing are significantly improved. These findings provide a reference for the engineering implementation of active radial technology.

KEYWORDS:

• Flexible elastomer
• active radial actuation system
• response characteristics
• stability
• curve passing performance

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China for funding the project 2018YFB1201702-02 of the National Key Technology R&D Program, which made this study possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China.