Design and Development of an Active Suspension System for T-2006 Pantograph

The focus of this paper is on innovative solutions proposed for the actuation system and on promising experimental results obtained during dynamic tests performed in various laboratories. The Authors are a team formed by Trenitalia S.p.A., Italcertifer, Università di Firenze and Politecnico di Milano with the aim of developing a prototype of an innovative pantograph for Italian high speed lines. The proposed control strategy is based on the theory of impedance control, i.e. the simulation of “desired” mechanical impedance by means of the active control of a mechanical device: the controlled pantograph is able to emulate, within certain limits, mainly related to the need for maintaining system stability, the desired dynamic response of a “virtual pantograph”.