A test device for the de-icing current curve of contact wire at different temperatures
By designing a DC power supply device and a low-temperature test chamber, the accuracy of contact network de-icing current testing at different temperatures was solved, enabling scientific evaluation of de-icing effects and preventing damage to cable life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NEW SCENERY (QINGDAO) TRANSPORTATION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies make it difficult to accurately test the de-icing current of contact wires under different ambient temperatures, resulting in poor de-icing effects or adverse impacts on the lifespan of contact wire cables.
A testing device including a DC power supply and a low-temperature test chamber was designed to simulate different temperature environments. The device uses an adjustable DC current to perform ice melting tests on cable samples, uses a transparent hose to form an ice layer and collect melted water, observes the ice melting state, and records the ice melting time.
It enables a scientific evaluation of the de-icing effect of contact wires at different temperatures, avoids the impact of excessively small or large de-icing current on cable life, and provides a scientific reference for de-icing.
Smart Images
Figure CN224286998U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a testing device, and more specifically, to a testing device for the current curve of contact wire de-icing at different temperatures. Background Technology
[0002] Electric locomotives (such as those used in subways and light rail) rely on exposed overhead contact lines for power supply. These contact lines are a crucial component of electrified railways, bearing the vital responsibility of powering the locomotives. However, in winter, the contact lines frequently freeze due to low temperatures. This not only affects the normal operation of the locomotives but can also damage the contact lines and even lead to safety accidents. Therefore, contact line de-icing technology is extremely important.
[0003] Currently, there are two methods for de-icing overhead contact lines: one is to apply a constant direct current to raise the temperature of the contact line, causing the ice to fall off; the other is to manually tap the contact line to remove the ice. However, manually tapping the contact line to remove the ice is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also inefficient, and the tapping can affect the lifespan of the contact line. As for the method of heating the contact line with an external constant direct current to melt the ice, the ambient temperature has a significant impact on the thickness and hardness of the ice. If the melting current is too low, the melting effect will be poor; if the melting current is too high, the contact line temperature will be too high, adversely affecting the lifespan of the contact line cable.
[0004] Therefore, this utility model proposes a test device for the contact network de-icing current curve at different temperatures. It can test the effects of de-icing circuit and de-icing time on the de-icing effect under different ambient temperatures under experimental conditions, so as to provide a scientific reference for on-site de-icing based on the experimental results. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a device for testing the ice-melting current curve of contact wires at different temperatures.
[0006] This utility model relates to a test device for the melting current curve of a contact network at different temperatures, comprising a DC power supply and a low-temperature test chamber. The low-temperature test chamber contains a test cavity simulating a low-temperature environment. The cable sample to be tested is placed in the test cavity. The cable sample is of the same material and model as the cable in the contact network. The DC power supply is used to apply an adjustable DC current to the cable sample and is equipped with a power cord for DC current output. The device is characterized in that: the cable sample is wrapped with a transparent flexible tube to facilitate the formation of an ice layer on its outer surface. The two ends of the transparent flexible tube are open, and the two ends of the cable sample are connected to terminals. The terminals of the cable sample are connected to the power cord of the DC power supply. The test cavity contains a first water storage bottle and a second water storage bottle for collecting the melted water from the ice layer on the outer surface of the cable sample. A transparent observation window is provided on the front side of the test cavity for observing the melting state of the cable sample. The test cavity also contains a support mechanism for supporting the cable sample.
[0007] The contact wire de-icing current curve testing device of this utility model has a horizontal insulating support plate fixed in the test chamber. The insulating support plate is provided with a left bracket, a middle bracket and a right bracket from left to right. The left bracket, the middle bracket and the right bracket are respectively provided with a first lower retaining ring, a second upper retaining ring and a third lower retaining ring to support the cable sample with both ends facing down and the middle part facing up. The first lower retaining ring and the third lower retaining ring are located above the openings of the first water storage bottle and the second water storage bottle, respectively. The height of the second upper retaining ring is higher than the height of the first lower retaining ring and the third lower retaining ring. The first lower retaining ring, the second upper retaining ring and the third lower retaining ring are locked around the outside of the transparent hose.
[0008] The contact wire de-icing current curve testing device of this utility model has a first upper retaining ring, a second lower retaining ring, and a third upper retaining ring respectively provided on the left support, middle support, and right support to support the cable sample with both ends facing upwards and the middle facing downwards. The height of the second lower retaining ring is lower than the height of the first upper retaining ring and the third upper retaining ring. The first upper retaining ring, the second lower retaining ring, and the third lower retaining ring are all locked around the outside of the transparent flexible tube.
[0009] The contact wire de-icing current curve testing device of this utility model has a test chamber surrounded by a box wall, and a through-wall tube through which the power line of the DC power supply device passes.
[0010] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The contact wire de-icing current curve testing device of this utility model at different temperatures is equipped with a DC power supply device and a low-temperature test chamber. The low-temperature test chamber is equipped with a test cavity to simulate different low-temperature environments (0℃~-40℃). The DC power supply device is used to provide adjustable DC current to the cable sample. The cable sample is wrapped with a transparent tubing. The test cavity is equipped with first and second water storage bottles and a support mechanism for supporting the cable sample. Thus, during the de-icing test, pure water is first injected into the transparent tubing with both ends open upwards. Water was placed in the test chamber until ice formed on the outer surface of the cable sample. The cable sample was then placed in the test chamber with its outer transparent tubing facing down at both ends and up at the center. The cable sample was then connected to the power cord of the DC power supply device. The test chamber was set to the ambient temperature to be simulated, and the DC power supply device was adjusted to the required current. The ice-melting test was conducted by passing DC current through the cable sample. The ice-melting status was observed through the transparent observation window. The ice-melting time was recorded when the ice-melting was completed. The melted water from the ice layer flowed into the first and second water storage bottles, avoiding any impact on the test chamber.
[0011] As can be seen, the contact network de-icing current curve testing device of this utility model can test the de-icing time of cable samples under different temperatures and current conditions, so as to provide a scientific and reliable reference for the actual de-icing of the contact network of electric locomotives, and avoid the poor de-icing effect caused by too small current or too short time, as well as the situation that affects the cable life caused by too large current or too long time. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the contact wire de-icing current curve testing device at different temperatures according to this utility model;
[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the test chamber in the testing device of this utility model;
[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cable sample after it is wrapped in a transparent flexible tube in this utility model;
[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the test chamber in the testing device of this utility model when the cable sample is iced.
[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the test chamber in the testing device of this utility model when melting ice on a cable sample;
[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cable sample before, during, and after de-icing in this utility model.
[0018] Figure 7 The image shows the melting current curve obtained using the testing device of this invention.
[0019] In the diagram: 1 DC power supply device, 2 low temperature test chamber, 3 test chamber, 4 transparent observation window, 5 power cord, 6 cable sample, 7 transparent hose, 8 chamber wall, 9 insulating support plate, 10 first water storage bottle, 11 second water storage bottle, 12 left support, 13 middle support, 14 right support, 15 first lower retaining ring, 16 second lower retaining ring, 17 third lower retaining ring, 18 first upper retaining ring, 19 second upper retaining ring, 20 third lower retaining ring, 21 through-wall tube, 22 terminal block, 23 ice layer, 24 melted water. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0021] like Figure 1 The diagram shows the schematic of the contact network de-icing current curve testing device of this invention at different temperatures. It consists of a DC power supply device 1 and a low-temperature test chamber 2. The low-temperature test chamber 2 contains a test cavity 3 that simulates a low-temperature environment, ranging from 0℃ to -40℃. The cable sample 6 to be tested for de-icing is placed in the test cavity 3. The cable sample 6 is identical to the actual cable used in the contact network, meaning it has the same material and model. The DC power supply device 1 provides adjustable DC current to the cable sample 6. A power cord 5 is installed on the DC power supply device 1 and extends into the test cavity 3 to provide adjustable DC current to the cable sample 6. The current flowing through the cable sample 6 dissipates heat, thus melting the ice.
[0022] like Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of a cable sample wrapped in a transparent flexible tube according to this invention. The cable sample 6 is surrounded by a transparent flexible tube 7, which has openings at both ends. Terminals 22 are fixed to both ends of the cable sample 6. During the de-icing test of the cable sample 6, its surface needs to be frozen to form an ice layer 23. The transparent flexible tube 7 stores purified water for freezing, and the de-icing state of the ice layer 23 can be observed through the tube 7. The terminals 22 at both ends of the cable sample 6 are used to connect to the power cord 5 of the DC power supply device 1.
[0023] like Figure 2The diagram shows the structure of the test chamber in the testing device of this invention. The front of the test chamber 3 is a transparent observation window 4, through which the melting state of the ice layer 23 surrounding the cable sample 6 can be observed. The test chamber 3 is surrounded by chamber walls 8. A horizontal insulating support plate 9 is installed inside the test chamber 3. A first water storage bottle 10 and a second water storage bottle 11 are installed inside the test chamber 3 to store the melted water 24 from the ice layer 23. A cavity is formed on the insulating support plate 9 through which the first water storage bottle 10 and the second water storage bottle 11 pass. During the melting test, the openings at both ends of the transparent flexible tube 7 surrounding the cable sample 6 face downwards and are positioned above the openings of the first water storage bottle 10 and the second water storage bottle 11, respectively. This allows the melted water 24 from the ice layer 23 surrounding the cable sample 6 to flow into the water storage bottles for collection, avoiding any adverse effects on the test chamber 3.
[0024] The insulating support plate 9 shown has a left support 12, a middle support 13, and a right support 14 fixed from left to right, forming a support mechanism. The bottom and top of the left support 12 are respectively provided with a first lower retaining ring 15 and a first upper retaining ring 18, with the first lower retaining ring 15 located above the opening of the first water storage bottle 10. The bottom and top of the middle support 13 are respectively provided with a second lower retaining ring 16 and a second upper retaining ring 19, and the bottom and top of the right support 14 are respectively provided with a third lower retaining ring 17 and a third upper retaining ring 20, with the third lower retaining ring 17 located above the opening of the second water storage bottle 11. The height of the second upper retaining ring 19 is higher than the height of the first lower retaining ring 15 and the third lower retaining ring 17, while the height of the second lower retaining ring 16 is lower than the height of the first upper retaining ring 18 and the third upper retaining ring 20.
[0025] To form an ice layer 23 around the cable sample 6, the cable sample 6, along with the transparent flexible tube 7, is first bent and fixed to the support mechanism with both ends of the cable sample 6 facing upwards and the middle facing downwards. Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the test chamber in the testing device of this invention when the cable sample is frozen. The two ends of the transparent hose 7 are respectively secured to the first upper retaining ring 18 and the third upper retaining ring 20, and the middle is secured to the second lower retaining ring 16. At this time, injecting pure water into the transparent hose 7 will not cause it to overflow. After water is injected, the low-temperature test chamber 2 is turned on, and an ice layer 23 will form around the cable sample 6.
[0026] After an ice layer 23 forms around the outer edge of cable sample 6, a de-icing test can be performed. During the de-icing test, cable sample 6 is placed on the support mechanism with both ends facing down and the middle facing up. Figure 5The diagram shows the structure of the test chamber in the testing device of this invention during the de-icing of a cable sample. At this time, the two ends of the transparent flexible tube 7 are respectively secured to the first lower retaining ring 15 and the third lower retaining ring 17, and the middle part of the transparent flexible tube 7 is secured to the second upper retaining ring 19. Then, the test chamber 3 of the low-temperature test chamber 2 is adjusted to the required temperature, and the current of the DC power supply device 1 is adjusted to the required current level to perform the de-icing test.
[0027] During the de-icing test, the de-icing state of cable sample 6 was observed through transparent observation window 4. Figure 5 As shown, Figure 6 Figure (a) is a cross-sectional view of cable sample 6 before de-icing, Figure (b) is a cross-sectional view during the de-icing process, and Figure (c) is a cross-sectional view when de-icing is completed (i.e., de-icing).
[0028] During the ice-melting test, the required ice-melting time under different ambient temperatures and currents can be obtained by changing the ambient temperature of the test chamber 3 and the output current of the DC power supply device 1. Figure 7 As shown, the relationship between the required de-icing time and the current magnitude at ambient temperatures of -10℃, -15℃ and -20℃ is given, i.e., the de-icing current curve. The obtained de-icing current curve can provide a reliable reference for the actual de-icing of the contact network of electric locomotives.
Claims
1. A device for testing the ice-melting current curve of a catenary at different temperatures, comprising a direct current power supply device (1) and a low-temperature test chamber (2), wherein a test cavity (3) for simulating a low-temperature environment is arranged in the low-temperature test chamber, a cable sample (6) to be tested is placed in the test cavity, the cable sample is of the same material and model as the cable of the catenary, the direct current power supply device is used to apply a direct current with adjustable current to the cable sample, and a power line (5) for outputting the direct current is arranged on the direct current power supply device; characterized in that: The cable sample is wrapped with a transparent flexible tube (7) to facilitate the formation of an ice layer (23) on its outer surface. The two ends of the transparent flexible tube are open, and the two ends of the cable sample are connected to terminals (22). The terminals of the cable sample are connected to the power cord of the DC power supply device. The test chamber is equipped with a first water storage bottle (10) and a second water storage bottle (11) to collect the melted water (24) of the ice layer on the outer surface of the cable sample. The front side of the test chamber is equipped with a transparent observation window (4) to observe the melting state of the cable sample. The test chamber is equipped with a support mechanism to support the cable sample. 2. The contact wire de-icing current curve testing device at different temperatures according to claim 1, characterized in that: A horizontal insulating support plate (9) is fixed in the test chamber (3). A left support (12), a middle support (13) and a right support (14) are arranged on the insulating support plate from left to right. A first lower retaining ring (15), a second upper retaining ring (19) and a third lower retaining ring (17) are respectively arranged on the left support, the middle support and the right support to support the cable sample with both ends facing down and the middle up. The first lower retaining ring and the third lower retaining ring are located above the openings of the first water storage bottle (10) and the second water storage bottle (11). The height of the second upper retaining ring is higher than the height of the first lower retaining ring and the third lower retaining ring. The first lower retaining ring, the second upper retaining ring and the third lower retaining ring are locked around the transparent hose (7).
3. The contact wire de-icing current curve testing device at different temperatures according to claim 2, characterized in that: The left support (12), middle support (13) and right support (14) are respectively provided with a first upper retaining ring (18), a second lower retaining ring (16) and a third upper retaining ring (20) to support the cable sample with both ends facing up and the middle facing down. The height of the second lower retaining ring is lower than the height of the first upper retaining ring and the third upper retaining ring. The first upper retaining ring, the second lower retaining ring and the third lower retaining ring are all locked around the transparent hose (7).
4. The contact wire de-icing current curve testing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The test chamber (3) is surrounded by a box wall (8), and a through-wall tube (21) through which the power line (5) of the DC power supply device (1) passes is installed on the box wall.