Overhead line system with buffer storage

Abstract

The invention relates to an overhead contact line system (1) for at least partially electrically powered vehicles, which has at least one contact wire (2), at least one substation (3) for supplying energy to the overhead contact line system (1) and at least one de-icing device (5) for de-icing at least one section of the at least one contact wire (2) of the overhead contact line system (1) with electric current, wherein the at least one substation (3) has at least one buffer storage device (10) for storing electrical energy (E), wherein the at least one buffer storage device (10) is configured such that the buffer storage device (10) stores electrical energy (E) which is at least partially provided by means of the at least one substation (3).

Description

[0001] Under certain weather conditions, a layer of ice or hoarfrost forms on contact wires or sections thereof. Such icing of overhead lines or corresponding sections of traffic control systems for at least partially electrically powered, rail-bound or non-rail-bound vehicles, such as electric rail vehicles or electric trucks, etc., or the lack of de-icing of the affected overhead lines or sections, can cause significant damage with corresponding consequences. Besides the failure of overhead line sections and thus the corresponding track sections, the ice or hoarfrost layers are abraded by the carbon contact strips of the vehicles' pantographs when they pass over these sections.Due to the numerous arcs generated by the rougher surface, abrasive and increased electrical wear occurs, primarily on the pantographs of the vehicles in question, such as all types of electric rail vehicles and corresponding electrically powered road vehicles like e-trucks, e-buses, etc., as well as on the overhead lines or contact wires themselves. This significantly reduces the service life of the contact wires of the respective overhead line systems and the contact strips of the pantographs of the vehicles.

[0002] Various solutions exist for de-icing overhead lines or affected sections thereof. These include de-icing using electric current, particularly through short-circuiting in or on the overhead line. When voltage is applied, the resulting current heats the contact wires and the rest of the overhead line system until the ice melts. However, this requires short bursts of high current, which generally result in disproportionately high costs. The capacity charge in electricity tariffs is typically based on a consumer's power consumption over cyclical measurement periods of, for example, 15 minutes. The highest average power measured in these intervals (the so-called mean power value, recorded during the power meter) is used as the basis for calculating the capacity charge over a longer billing period.As a result, de-icing sections of overhead lines that operate with short, very strong power peaks are generally very energy-intensive and therefore extremely costly.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved overhead line system that enables more cost-effective de-icing of overhead line sections.

[0004] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further developments and embodiments of the invention are found in the features of dependent claims.

[0005] The overhead contact line system according to the invention for at least partially electrically powered vehicles comprises at least one contact wire, at least one substation for supplying energy to the overhead contact line system, and at least one de-icing device for de-icing at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead contact line system with electric current, wherein the at least one substation has at least one buffer storage device for storing electrical energy, and wherein the at least one buffer storage device is configured such that the buffer storage device stores electrical energy that is at least partially provided by means of the at least one substation. The solution according to the invention has the advantage that the substation, also referred to as a transformer substation, which supplies the electrical energy required for the operation of an overhead contact line system, orThe substation, which supplies the necessary traction current, can slowly charge one or more buffer storage tanks during normal operation. This allows the individual buffer storage tanks to be charged with electrical energy, as required, up to their respective maximum storage capacity, without requiring the substation to supply a large amount of energy for charging in a short period. This slow charging of the buffer storage tank(s) avoids short and / or very high power peaks. Since the substation typically obtains electrical energy either indirectly, via a high-voltage traction power network, etc., or directly from a public power grid, this also avoids or at least significantly reduces the additional, correspondingly higher electricity charges for the power supply.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one buffer storage unit of the at least one substation is arranged such that the buffer storage unit stores at least partially electrical energy generated by means of recuperation of braking vehicles.

[0007] In this way, the charging of the individual buffer storage units can also be supported or supplemented by electrical energy generated from the recuperation of braking vehicles. Thus, the supplementary or additional charging of the individual buffer storage units using electrical energy generated from the recuperation of braking vehicles advantageously contributes to a further reduction of the additional, correspondingly higher electricity price incurred for the consumption of this energy.

[0008] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one buffer storage tank of the at least one substation is connected at least indirectly to the at least one de-icing device of the overhead line system.

[0009] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one de-icing device uses electrical energy for de-icing at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system, which is stored at least partially in the at least one buffer storage unit of the at least one substation.

[0010] In this way, the electrical energy stored or buffered in the buffer storage unit(s) is available to the de-icing devices of the respective overhead contact line system and can be accessed by the corresponding de-icing device at a later time in the required quantity, for example, to de-ice already iced sections of a contact wire during corresponding, acute weather conditions, or to initiate prophylactic measures such as pre-heating a section or several relevant sections of a contact wire, for example, when black ice is expected in the immediate future, etc., without increasing energy consumption in the short term and in a costly manner. The use or installation of such buffer storage units is advantageously intended primarily for or in areas or sections of overhead contact line systems where...in which occasional or regular de-icing of the contact wire(s) of the respective overhead line system is useful or necessary.

[0011] Preferably, the at least one buffer storage unit of the at least one substation is designed as a battery. Rechargeable batteries as energy storage devices are advantageously readily available in large numbers. They are particularly scalable, reliable, and safe, even for large amounts of stored energy, and are therefore especially suitable as a storage medium for electrical energy in overhead line systems according to the invention.

[0012] Preferably, at least one buffer storage device of at least one substation is designed as a capacitor. Alternatively to the aforementioned batteries, capacitors are equally advantageous as a storage medium for electrical energy, being just as safe and reliable, and their capacity is also very easily scalable for large amounts of stored energy, thus making it readily available when needed.

[0013] In addition to rechargeable batteries and / or capacitors, all other possible and useful designs for energy storage or buffer storage, such as flywheels, fuel cells, pumped storage, etc., are of course also included in the invention for appropriate use.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one substation has at least one control device, wherein the control device regulates at least the storage of electrical energy in the at least one buffer storage device.

[0015] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one control device has control specifications, wherein the control device regulates the storage of electrical energy in the at least one buffer storage device depending on the control specifications.

[0016] By using an intelligent control system, the charging of the buffer storage(s) with electrical energy can be regulated in such a way that the energy storage or buffer storage is always charged when certain criteria are met. These criteria can be represented, stored, or coded accordingly in the intelligent control system as meaningful or prioritized control parameters. For example, electrical energy can be stored at times when the corresponding electricity tariffs are particularly favorable, when there is minimal utilization or traffic on the relevant overhead line sections or track sections, or before expected de-icing, etc. The supporting or additional charging of the individual buffer storage(s) can also be achieved through...Electrical energy generated from the recuperation of braking vehicles can advantageously also be integrated into the corresponding charging control system by means of the control device. Additionally, the charging speed can also be regulated as required until the maximum charging capacity or electrical storage energy is reached. A combination of all possible such requirements and their corresponding implementation in the control device is, of course, fully encompassed by the scope of the invention. In this way, the charging of the buffer storage device(s) or the storage of electrical energy in the buffer storage device(s), particularly up to the maximum storage capacity of the respective buffer storage device(s), can be made particularly advantageous according to the specific requirements, for example, in a particularly gentle and / or cost-effective manner, etc.

[0017] Preferably, the control parameters are adjustable. Ideally, the control parameters include at least threshold values. Advantageously, this allows control parameters to be easily adapted to entirely new conditions or changes to existing ones, or to be re-linked and thus adjusted accordingly. For example, threshold values ​​for electricity tariffs can be defined, so that electrical energy is only stored when these thresholds are not met, thus ensuring energy storage only occurs during particularly favorable electricity tariffs. Naturally, all other sensible options for representing threshold values ​​as control parameters are also included.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 A schematic representation illustrating an overhead line system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an overhead line system 1 according to the invention. The representation is limited to the essential components of the overhead line system 1 and therefore does not show all components of the overhead line system 1 in its entirety. This also applies to the individual components shown in the Fig. 1. Components of the overhead line system 1 shown. The overhead line system 1 is intended for operation by at least partially electrically powered, rail-bound or non-rail-bound vehicles, such as electric rail vehicles or e-trucks, e-buses, etc.

[0020] The representation of the overhead line system 1 according to Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a contact wire 2, a substation 3, and a de-icing device 5. The contact wire section 2 represents one or more sections of one or more contact wires of the overhead contact line system 1. The contact wire section 2 is connected to the de-icing device 5 via connection 25. When required, the de-icing device 5 heats the contact wire section 2 via connection 25 using the resulting electric current when a voltage is applied. This completely melts any ice and / or frost layers that have formed on the track section 2 due to weather conditions, provided the current is sufficiently high and / or the heating is long enough. By pre-heating the contact wire section 2 prophylactically, it is also possible to prevent icing or frost formation that may occur in the near future, for example, due to corresponding weather conditions or changes, etc.This can be prevented in good time so that corresponding icing situations or conditions and thus corresponding abrasive as well as increased electrical wear on the pantographs of the vehicles concerned and on the overhead lines or contact wires themselves do not occur or arise in the first place.

[0021] The in Fig. Substation 3, also known as a transformer substation, provides the electrical energy E required for the operation of the overhead line system 1, or the corresponding railway current. It typically obtains the necessary electrical energy E either indirectly, via a high-voltage railway power network, etc., or directly from a public power grid, which is not shown here for clarity. Substation 3 includes one or more buffer storage units, symbolized by buffer storage unit 10. Buffer storage unit 10 stores electrical energy E, which in this case is entirely provided by substation 3. Additionally, buffer storage unit 10 can also store electrical energy E generated by the recuperation of braking vehicles. For clarity, this is not shown in the Fig. 1 not shown. The buffer storage unit 10 is charged, as required, for example up to its maximum storage capacity, etc., with the electrical energy E supplied by substation 3 and / or generated by the recuperation of braking vehicles, by means of the control unit 15. The buffer storage unit 10 of substation 3 is further connected to the de-icing device 5 of the overhead line system 1 via the direct connection 20 shown here. The electrical energy E stored or buffered in the buffer storage unit 10 is available to the de-icing device 5 via the connection 20 and is used as needed, for example to de-ice the already iced contact wire section 2 or to initiate preventative measures, such as pre-heating the contact wire section 2, for example, if black ice is expected in the immediate future, etc., retrieved from the de-icing device 5 at the necessary time and in the required quantity.

[0022] According to the invention, the buffer storage tank 10 is slowly and controllably charged during the normal operation of the substation 3 by means of the control device 15. This allows the buffer storage tank 10 to be charged with electrical energy E as required, for example, up to its respective maximum storage limit, without requiring the substation 3 to supply a large amount of energy for charging the buffer storage tank 10 within a short period of time. The slow charging of the buffer storage tank 10 thus avoids short and / or very high power peaks, thereby also avoiding or at least significantly reducing the additional, correspondingly higher energy costs for the consumption of electrical energy E.

[0023] The buffer storage device 10 of substation 3 is advantageously designed as a rechargeable battery or, alternatively, as a capacitor, since these designs are readily available in large numbers as energy storage devices and are particularly scalable, reliable, and safe, even for large amounts of stored energy. They are therefore especially suitable as a storage medium for the electrical energy E supplied by substation 3 of the overhead line system 1. In addition, all other possible and practical designs for energy storage devices or buffer storage devices 10, such as flywheels, fuel cells, pumped storage systems, etc., are of course also included in the invention for use in substation 3 of the overhead line system 1. The use or installation of such buffer storage devices 10 is advantageously intended primarily for or in areas or sections of the overhead line system 1 where...in which occasional or regular de-icing of the contact wire section(s) 2 is useful or necessary.

[0024] The one in Fig. The intelligent control device 15 shown in Figure 1 has, in particular, control specifications that regulate the charging of the buffer storage 10 with electrical energy E such that the buffer storage 10 is always charged when certain criteria are met. These are represented, stored, or coded accordingly in the intelligent control device 15 as meaningful, prioritized, or prioritizing control specifications. For example, the control device 15 can enable the storage of electrical energy E in or by the buffer storage 10 at times when the corresponding electricity tariffs for electrical energy E are particularly favorable, when there is the lowest possible utilization or occupancy of the relevant overhead line sections or track sections, or before expected de-icing by the de-icing device 5, etc. The supporting or additional charging of the buffer storage 10 is also possible through...The electrical energy E generated from the recuperation of braking vehicles can advantageously also be integrated into the corresponding charging control system by means of the control unit 15. The control parameters are advantageously adjustable and include, in particular, threshold values. This allows the control parameters to be easily adapted to entirely new conditions and / or changes to existing conditions, or to be recombined and thus adjusted accordingly and represented or coded in the control unit 15.Furthermore, corresponding threshold values, for example based on electricity tariffs, can be defined so that the control unit 15 only initiates the storage of electrical energy E in the buffer storage unit 10 when the defined threshold values ​​are undershot, thus ensuring energy storage only occurs during particularly favorable electricity tariffs. Naturally, all other relevant options for mapping threshold values ​​as control parameters in the control unit 15 are also included. Additionally, the control unit 15 can, for example, regulate the charging rate itself up to the maximum charging capacity or electrical storage capacity of the buffer storage unit 10, depending on the requirements. A combination of all such parameters or...The corresponding representation of which in the control device 15 is of course also included without limitation within the scope of the invention.

[0025] In this way, the charging of the buffer storage(s) 10 or the storage of electrical energy E in the buffer storage(s) 10 of the substation 3 of the overhead line system 1 according to the invention, in particular up to the maximum storage value of the respective buffer storage(s) 10, can be carried out particularly advantageously, for example in a particularly gentle and / or as cost-effective manner as possible, etc., to suit the respective requirements.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention is generally in no way limited to the invention described in the Fig. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in point 1. Rather, all possible further meaningful embodiments of the invention are also fully included.

Claims

[1] Overhead line system (1) for at least partially electrically powered vehicles, comprising at least one contact wire (2), at least one substation (3) for supplying energy to the overhead line system (1) and at least one de-icing device (5) for de-icing at least one section of the at least one contact wire (2) of the overhead line system (1) with electric current, characterized by , that the at least one substation (3) has at least one buffer storage unit (10) for storing electrical energy (E), wherein the at least one buffer storage unit (10) is configured such that the buffer storage unit (10) stores electrical energy (E) which is provided at least partially by means of the at least one substation (3). [2] Overhead line system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the at least one buffer storage unit (10) of the at least one substation (3) is configured such that the buffer storage unit (10) stores at least partially electrical energy (E) generated by means of recuperation of braking vehicles. [3] Overhead line system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the at least one buffer storage (10) of the at least one substation (3) is at least indirectly connected to the at least one de-icing device (5) of the overhead line system (1) (20). [4] Overhead line system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the at least one de-icing device (5) for de-icing at least one section of the at least one contact wire (2) of the overhead line system (1) uses electrical energy (E) which is stored at least partially in the at least one buffer storage device (10) of the at least one substation (3). [5] Overhead line system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the at least one buffer storage unit (10) of the at least one substation (3) is designed as a battery. [6] Overhead line system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the at least one buffer storage (10) of the at least one substation (3) is designed as a capacitor. [7] Overhead line system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one substation (3) has at least one control device (15), wherein the control device (15) controls at least the storage of electrical energy (E) in the at least one buffer storage device (10). [8] Overhead line system (1) according to claim 7, characterized by, that the at least one control device (15) has control specifications, wherein the control device (15) controls the storage of electrical energy (E) in the at least one buffer storage device (10) depending on the control specifications. [9] Overhead line system (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the regulatory parameters are adjustable. [10] Overhead line system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the regulatory requirements include at least threshold values.

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