Rail vehicle equipped with an electrical storage unit

Abstract

Railway vehicle equipped with an electrical storage unit. The present invention relates to a railway vehicle (10), comprising: an electrical power supply unit (20), an electric traction motor (15), auxiliary electrical equipment (16, 17), and a connection element (22) for connecting to an external electrical power source. Said power supply unit comprises: an electrical converter (26) capable of supplying the electric traction motor with high-voltage current; said electrical converter being connected to the connection element; a first medium-voltage electrical network (34) to which the first auxiliary electrical equipment is connected; and a first electrical storage unit (30), connected to the first medium-voltage electrical network, so as to supply or draw electricity from said first network.The electrical converter is connected to the first medium-voltage electrical network, so as to supply electricity to said first network. See Figure 2 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Railway vehicle equipped with an electrical storage device

[0001] The present invention relates to a railway vehicle, of the type comprising an electrical power supply device, an electric traction motor, first auxiliary electrical equipment and a connection element to an external electrical power source, said power supply device comprising: an electrical converter capable of supplying the electric traction motor with high voltage current; said electrical converter being connected to the connection element; a first medium voltage electrical network to which the first auxiliary electrical equipment is connected; and a first electrical storage unit, connected to the first medium voltage electrical network, so as to supply or draw electricity from said first network.

[0002] It is known to equip railway vehicles, particularly trains, with internal electrical storage devices. A vehicle such as the one described above is, for example, described in document WO2014008114. Auxiliary equipment can thus be powered by said internal devices or by the external source, separately or simultaneously.

[0003] Auxiliary functions such as air conditioning in passenger cars require significant electrical power. Supplying them via internal storage devices imposes high constraints and costs on the vehicle's electrical power supply system.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve this problem. To this end, the invention relates to a railway vehicle of the aforementioned type, in which the electrical converter is connected to the first medium-voltage electrical network, so as to supply electricity to said first network.

[0005] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the railway vehicle comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0006] - the power supply device includes a first reversible charger, interposed between the first electrical storage unit and the first medium voltage electrical network, said first charger being capable of transferring electricity from one to the other of said first unit and first network;

[0007] - the first electrical storage unit comprises at least one Lithium- battery Ion;

[0008] - the railway vehicle further comprises secondary electrical equipment auxiliaries, and in which the power supply system further comprises: a second low-voltage electrical network to which said second equipment is connected; and a second electrical storage unit, connected to the second low-voltage electrical network, so as to supply electricity to said second network; said second storage unit being further connected to the first medium-voltage electrical network so as to draw electricity from said first network;

[0009] - the power supply device includes a second interposed charger between the first medium voltage electrical network and the second storage unit so as to supply said second unit with electricity from said first network, said second charger being further connected to the second low voltage electrical network so as to supply electricity to said second network without going through said second storage unit;

[0010] - the second electrical storage unit comprises at least one Lithium- battery Ion.

[0011] The invention further relates to a method of operation of a railway vehicle as described above.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, the process is such that: the electrical converter takes electricity from an external electrical power source to the vehicle, via the connecting element, and supplies electricity to the first medium voltage electrical network; and the first electrical storage unit takes electricity from said first network.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, the method is such that: the electrical converter takes electricity from an external electrical power source to the vehicle, via the connecting element, and supplies electricity to the electric traction motor; and the first electrical storage unit supplies electricity to the first medium voltage electrical network.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the invention, the process is such that: the first electrical storage unit supplies electricity to the first medium voltage electrical network; and the second electrical storage unit draws electricity from said first network.

[0015] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0016] - [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a railway vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention; and - [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a schematic view of elements of the railway vehicle in Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 1 schematically represents a railway vehicle 10 according to a mode of realization of the invention. The railway vehicle 10, for example of the train type, comprises a motor car 12 assembled to one or more cars 14, in particular intended to receive passengers.

[0018] The railway vehicle 10 includes at least one electric traction motor 15, equipping the motor car 12. The motor 15 is in particular intended to operate under high voltage, in particular above 700V.

[0019] The railway vehicle 10 further comprises first auxiliary electrical equipment 16, 17 intended to operate on a medium voltage network, of the 400V type. The first auxiliary electrical equipment includes, for example, one or more compressors 16 intended for inflating a pneumatic circuit of the vehicle 10, air conditioning devices 17 for the cars 14 or even thermal equipment of the cold room type intended for preserving foodstuffs.

[0020] The railway vehicle 10 further comprises secondary auxiliary electrical equipment 18 intended to operate on a low voltage network, of the 110V type. The secondary auxiliary electrical equipment 18 includes, for example, lighting and / or ventilation devices for the cars 14, or refrigerators.

[0021] The railway vehicle 10 further comprises a power supply device 20, connected to auxiliary electrical equipment 16, 17, 18. The device 20 is capable of operating with an external electrical power source. In the embodiment shown, the railway vehicle 10 comprises a pantograph 22 capable of supplying the device 20 with electricity from an overhead contact line (not shown).

[0022] The railway vehicle 10 further comprises an electronic control module 24, capable of controlling the device 20.

[0023] Figure 2 schematically represents several elements of the railway vehicle 10, in particular the electrical supply device 20.

[0024] Said device 20 includes in particular an electrical converter 26, of inverter type, of which a first input 28 is connected to the pantograph 22. By a first output 27, the converter 26 is able to supply the motor 15 with high voltage current, in particular greater than 700V.

[0025] The device 20 further comprises a first electrical storage element 30. Preferably, said first element 30 is of the battery type and more preferably comprises at least one Lithium-Ion battery. Preferably, said first element 30 has a significant capacity, on the order of 200 kWh.

[0026] Lithium-ion batteries make it possible to achieve high capacities in small volumes. Furthermore, they offer a longer lifespan than other technologies such as nickel-cadmium or lead-acid gel.

[0027] Preferably, the organ 30 is intended to store the energy from the consumers of unsafe and uncomfortable type such as air conditioning equipment.

[0028] The device 20 further comprises a first medium-voltage electrical network 34, to which the first auxiliary electrical equipment 16, 17 are connected. By means of a second output 36, the electrical converter 26 is capable of supplying said first network 34 with medium-voltage current.

[0029] The device 20 further comprises a first reversible charger 38. A first 40 and a second 42 reversible links electrically connect said first charger 38, respectively to the first storage unit 30 and to the first network 34. The first charger 38 is thus capable of transferring electricity reversibly between said first storage unit 30 and said first network 34.

[0030] The device 20 further comprises a second low-voltage electrical network 44, to which the second auxiliary electrical equipment 18 is connected.

[0031] The device 20 further comprises a second electrical storage unit 46, including an output 47 connected to said second electrical network 44 so as to supply electricity to said network. Preferably, said second unit 46 is of the battery type and more preferably comprises at least one Lithium-Ion battery.

[0032] Preferably, the component 46 is intended to store the energy of safety-type consumers, such as emergency lighting and / or radio, possibly required by a regulatory standard.

[0033] The device 20 further comprises a second charger 48. An input 50 of said second charger 48 is connected to the first medium voltage electrical network 34. A first 52 and a second 54 outputs of said second charger 48 are connected respectively to the second electrical storage unit 46 and to the second low voltage electrical network 44.

[0034] The electronic control module 24, for example located in the driver's cab of the power car 12, is electronically connected to at least some of the aforementioned elements of the device 20, as will be shown below. Preferably, the electronic module 24 is connected to a GSM-type on-board-to-ground network, which allows it to receive up-to-date information on the electricity tariff available via the overhead line.

[0035] Operating methods for the railway vehicle 10 will now be described. The electronic control module 24 is notably equipped with programs capable of implementing these methods.

[0036] We first consider a first method, called nominal operating method. This method is implemented in particular when the information received by the electronic module 24 indicates a cost lower than a predetermined threshold for the electricity available via the catenary.

[0037] According to the said first method, the electrical converter 26 is powered by the catenary, via the pantograph 22 and the first input 28. The electrical converter 26 supplies the first medium voltage electrical network 34 and the first auxiliary electrical equipment 16, 17. Said first network 34 also supplies the second low voltage electrical network 44, via the second charger 48 and its second output 54.

[0038] Furthermore, as long as the first 30 and / or the second 46 electrical storage organs are not fully charged, the first 40 and second 42 reversible links of the first charger 38 and / or the first output 52 of the second charger 48 are configured so as to supply electricity to said first network 34 said first 30 and / or said second 46 organs.

[0039] A second method, called emergency operation in air conditioning, is considered. This second method is implemented in particular when the vehicle 10 is immobilized on a section of railway track not equipped with catenary or immobilized following a catenary failure, particularly in a hot and sunny environment.

[0040] According to said second method, the reversible charger 38 is supplied via the link 40, by the first electrical storage unit 30. The electrical charger 38 supplies the first medium voltage electrical network 34 and the first auxiliary electrical equipment 16, 17, in particular the air conditioning devices 17 of the cars 14.

[0041] Indeed, the supply of electricity for air conditioning requires a significant amount of power, which the reversible charger 38 is capable of providing.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the second method mentioned above, the second electrical network 44 is supplied by the second storage unit 46. Optionally, depending on the requirements, said second network 44 is also partially supplied by the first network 34, via the second charger 48 and its second output 54.

[0043] A third method, called energy smoothing, is considered. This third method is implemented in particular when the information received by the electronic module 24 indicates a cost of electricity from the network at the "peak hour" tariff, via the catenary.

[0044] According to said third method, the electrical converter 26 is supplied by the catenary, via the pantograph 22, and supplies, for example, the motor 15. In addition, the first 40 and second 42 reversible connections of the first charger 38 are configured so that said first component 30 supplies electricity to the first medium-voltage electrical network 34 and the first auxiliary electrical equipment 16, 17. Thus, the electricity drawn by the pantograph 22 is allocated primarily to the motor 15 in order to reduce the external consumption of the vehicle 10.

[0045] Preferably, the electronic module 24 manages the output 36 of the converter 26 so that the first network 34 takes electricity as a priority from the first component 30 and, if necessary, in a non-priority manner from said converter 26.

[0046] Said first network 34 also supplies the second low voltage electrical network 44, via the second charger 48 and its second output 54.

[0047] The component 30 is then recharged when the electricity tariff is outside the "peak hours" ranges.

[0048] A fourth method, called safe battery charging (component 46), is considered, outside of charging areas. This fourth method is implemented in particular when the vehicle 10 is parked, especially on a site not equipped with a catenary.

[0049] According to said fourth method, the motor 15 is stopped and the electrical converter 26 is not powered. The first 40 and second 42 reversible connections of the first charger 38 are configured so that said first component 30 supplies electricity to the first medium-voltage electrical network 34.

[0050] According to a first variant of the fourth method, as long as the second electrical storage unit 46 is not fully charged, the first output 52 of the second charger 48 is configured so as to supply electricity from said first network 34 to said second unit 46. This method avoids equipping said second unit 46 with a specific parking charging station.

[0051] According to a second variant of the fourth method, the first network 34 supplies power to some of the first auxiliary electrical equipment 16, 17, for example, a cold storage room for foodstuffs. Optionally, via the second charger 48, the first network 34 also supplies power to the second network 44 and some of the second auxiliary electrical equipment 18, for example, refrigerators. This method makes it possible to preserve perishable food in the parked vehicle 10, particularly in some countries where it is not permitted to leave the unit 22 connected overnight.

[0052] The first to fourth methods described above can be implemented successively by the same vehicle.

[0053] Thus, the rail vehicle according to the invention exhibits greater autonomy in cases where no external power source is available. The rail vehicle also reduces operating costs by storing electricity and releasing it according to real-time tariff fluctuations.

Claims

Claims

1. A railway vehicle (10) comprising an electrical power supply device (20), an electric traction motor (15), first auxiliary electrical equipment (16, 17) and an element (22) for connection to a source of electrical power external to the vehicle, said power supply device comprising: - an electrical converter (26) capable of supplying the electric traction motor with high voltage current; said electrical converter being connected to the connection element (22); - a first medium voltage electrical network (34) to which the first auxiliary electrical equipment is connected; and - a first electrical storage member (30), connected (40, 38, 42) to the first medium voltage electrical network, so as to supply or draw electricity from said first network;the electrical converter (26) being connected to the first medium voltage electrical network, so as to supply electricity to said first network, characterized in that: - the electrical power supply device comprises a first reversible charger (38), interposed between the first electrical storage member (30) and the first medium voltage electrical network (34), said first charger being capable of transferring electricity from one to the other of said first member and first network; and - the railway vehicle further comprising second auxiliary electrical equipment (18), and in which the electrical power supply device further comprises: - a second low voltage electrical network (44) to which said second equipment is connected; and - a second electrical storage member (46), connected (47) to the second low voltage electrical network, so as to supply electricity to said second network;said second storage member being further connected (50, 48, 52) to the first medium voltage electrical network (34) so ​​as to draw electricity from said first network.;

2. A railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical storage member (30) comprises at least one Lithium-Ion battery.

3. A railway vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, in wherein the electrical supply device comprises a second charger (48) interposed between the first medium voltage electrical network (34) and the second storage member (46), so as to supply said second member with electricity from said first network, said second charger being further connected (54) to the second low voltage electrical network (44) so ​​as to supply electricity to said second network without passing through said second storage member.

4. Rail vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second electrical storage member (46) comprises at least one Lithium-Ion battery.

5. Method for operating a railway vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the electrical converter (26) draws electricity from an electrical power source external to the vehicle, via the connection element (22), and supplies electricity to the first medium-voltage electrical network (34); and - the first electrical storage member (30) draws electricity from said first network.

6. Method for operating a railway vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which: - the electrical converter (26) draws electricity from an electrical power source external to the vehicle, via the connection element (22), and supplies electricity to the electric traction motor (15); and - the first electrical storage member (30) supplies electricity to the first medium voltage electrical network (34).

7. Method of operating a railway vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which: - the first electrical storage member (30) supplies electricity to the first medium voltage electrical network (34); and - the second electrical storage member (46) draws electricity from said first network.

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