LQR Active Control of Fractional-Order Pantograph-Catenary System Based on Feedback Linearization

Fractional-order calculus has exclusive advantages in modeling the viscoelastic components with obvious fractional-order characteristics such as air springs and metal rubbers in the pantograph structure. In this paper, the air spring is tested, and fractional-order calculus is applied to the modeling of pantograph-catenary system of the high-speed train. The parameter identification method of fractional-order derivative is analytically derived. The traditional lumped mass model is improved and a coupling two-degree-of-freedom model of the fractional-order pantograph-catenary system is established. The fractional-order derivative term in the pantograph-catenary model is approximately calculated by the Oustaloup filter algorithm. Taking the time-varying nature into consideration, the catenary is treated as an extended variable to obtain an augmented model. On this basis, the system is linearized based on differential geometry theory, and an LQR controller is designed to control the pantograph-catenary system. The feedback linearized LQR control and PID control are used to control the same type of traditional pantograph, and the results are compared. Meanwhile, the control effects of feedback linearized LQR control under different pantograph parameters and at different train speeds are analyzed. The results show that the feedback linearized LQR control can present a much better control performance than PID control, and the pantograph-catenary contact force and pantograph head vibration amplitude are both reduced obviously. Even at different train speeds or under different pantograph parameters, it can also effectively reduce these control indexes and provide more robust control performance. These results help to put forward new control ideas and theoretical basis for the vibration control of the pantograph-catenary or similar dynamical system.