Rolling Stock and Permanent Way Systems

This module covers important mechanical and electrical concepts that are inherent in the Rolling Stock and Permanent Way Systems (RS and PWay Sytems).

For the mechanical section, students are introduced to core dynamic concepts in the first two lectures to further building on the fundamentals that they would have already acquired. Students will look at Newton’s Second Law in the generalized coordinates system so as to understand the train’s dynamic motion in both lateral and rotational directions coupled with gradient differences. After covering the core foundations, this module will be extended to areas of wheel-track interaction, collision calculations and vibrational analysis. Students will learn to understand the effects of the coefficient of friction (in both dynamic and static) on the wheel track interaction and determination of the train braking systems. Students will also be trained to apply the coefficient of restitution to understand the impact of collision of different materials. Finally, the mechanical section of SIE3004 which is on vibrational analysis will be discussed and expounded in detail. Students will be trained to understand the simple harmonic motion equations of a vibrational system in various configuration such as with or without dampers/force.

For the Electrical section, students will learn about power conversion process from the AC Grid network all the way to the powering of the trains. Topics include Diode Rectifiers for the initial power conversion from the Grid for motoring purpose, Thyristor Converters used to allow regenerative braking and power to be returned to the Grid; Basic Drives configuration (Converter with Motor) with variable voltage converters. The purpose of the latter is to show how speed and torque are related to (and controlled by) converter current and voltage.