Simulation of the Wheel Pair Slip Process in an Electric Locomotive

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15802/stp2026/353436

Keywords:

electric locomotive, traction electric drive, tractive effort, traction characteristics, wheel slip, mathematical modeling, wheel set

Abstract

Purpose. Timely detection and prevention of wheel slip in electric locomotives has always been one of the most pressing issues in rail transport. Wheel slip in electric locomotives increases wear on wheel tyres and rails, increases the likelihood of traction motor failure, and creates emergency situations during operation. The purpose of this scientific research is to determine the patterns of wheel slip development in electric locomotives under various operating conditions through simulation modeling of the wheel slip process. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is the general principles of system analysis, mathematical analysis, modeling of electromechanical systems, theoretical mechanics, and the theory of electric traction. Computer simulation modeling of the wheel pair slip development process was performed using the «Simulink» environment. Finding. As a result of scientific research, a mathematical model of the wheel pair slip process of an electric locomotive was created, which takes into account the traction characteristics of the electric drive, the characteristics of adhesion, the physical and chemical state of the wheel-rail contact, the moments of inertia of the components of the traction electric drive, and the time parameters of the process of loss of adhesion qualities. An approximate expression was obtained, which describes the traction characteristics with a high degree of accuracy and is presented as a dependence of the dimensionless traction coefficient on the relative slip of the wheel surface on the rail. A simulation model was created that allows modeling the wheel slip process of an electric locomotive under various operating conditions. As a result of modeling, several variants of slip development were obtained for real parameters of the traction electric drive and operating conditions. The ratios were determined at which the temporary loss of traction qualities of the electric locomotive leads to differential slip. Originality. An analytical expression is proposed and approximation coefficients are determined for the dependence of the wheel-rail adhesion coefficient on the sliding speed of the wheel surfaces on the rails. Conditions are formulated that determine the nature of wheel pair slip development, which can be used in the development of principles for automatic control of traction electric drives with high resistance to slip. Practical value. The model created allows theoretical research into the process of wheel slip in electric locomotives under various operating conditions. The results of such research can be used to create an automatic traction electric drive control system that improves the electric locomotive's resistance to wheel slip.

References

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Published

2026-03-27

How to Cite

Afanasov, A. M., Konchanin, S. V., & Golovko, R. D. (2026). Simulation of the Wheel Pair Slip Process in an Electric Locomotive. Science and Transport Progress, (1(113), 52–63. https://doi.org/10.15802/stp2026/353436

Issue

No. 1(113) (2026)

Section

ELECTRIC TRANSPORT, POWER SYSTEMS AND COMPLEXES

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