A Simulation Approach for Analysis of the Regenerative Potential of High-Speed Train Suspensions

Abstract

This study primarily investigates the adaptability and performance of hydraulic–electric regenerative dampers for high-speed trains by substituting conventional primary dampers with hydraulic–electric regenerative dampers. The primary objectives are to develop a detailed model of primary suspension regenerative damper (PSRD) energy conversion that incorporates factors such as oil pressure loss, motor efficiency, and overall system efficiency, and to perform a comprehensive comparative analysis of vibration responses, wheel wear, comfort indices, and power generation using an integrated MATLAB and SIMPACK co-simulation platform. The results reveal that at an operational speed of 350 km/h, the dynamic responses of the carbody, bogie, wheelset, and dampers equipped with the proposed PSRD systems closely align with those of conventional primary vertical damper systems. The detailed PSRDs’ hydraulic–mechanical–electrical model effectively captures the subtleties of oil pressure fluctuations and their impacts. The wear distribution and magnitude across the vehicle remain consistent during acceleration, constant, and deceleration speeds, ensuring uniform wear characteristics. Under real-world railway operational conditions, the ride comfort metrics of vehicles fitted with regenerative dampers are comparable to those with conventional primary vertical dampers. Furthermore, each regenerative damper can generate up to 21.72 W of electrical power, achieving a generation efficiency of 45.28%. Finally, a test rig was designed and fabricated to validate the primary suspension regenerative damper (PSRD) model, showing good agreement between predicted and actual damping force and power regeneration, with results indicating a peak damping force of 12.5 kN and approximately 230 W of regenerated power. This research provides a theoretical foundation and experimental validation for implementing power regeneration mechanisms in railway transportation, demonstrating that the hydraulic–mechanical–electrical PSRD model can fulfil the performance criteria of conventional dampers while offering substantial energy harvesting capabilities. This advancement not only enhances energy efficiency but also contributes to the sustainable development of high-speed rail systems.