Battery Tender Swapping Station for Rapid Rail Battery Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery locomotives face operational inefficiencies due to lengthy charging times of high-capacity batteries, which disrupt service continuity and are environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A battery charging and swapping station with weather-proof battery charging posts located beneath railroad tracks, utilizing a dual power source and energy management system to optimize charging, and a battery swapping installation for rapid battery replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If high-capacity batteries are used in battery locomotives, then zero-emission operation is achieved, but charging time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple independent battery units that can be individually swapped. Instead of charging one large battery, the system divides the energy storage into modular components that can be rapidly exchanged, eliminating the need for lengthy charging cycles while maintaining zero-emission operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Batteries are pre-charged at the swapping station before being installed in locomotives. The charging process occurs in advance during off-peak hours or when locomotives are not in service, so that when a locomotive needs power, it receives a fully charged battery immediately, eliminating waiting time.
2Duration of action of moving object
If lengthy charging is performed, then battery capacity is sufficient for operation, but service continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated battery swapping where the locomotive itself participates in the battery exchange process. The locomotive couples with the battery tender, and the batteries are automatically transferred without requiring manual intervention or taking the locomotive out of service, thereby maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A battery tender acts as an intermediary vehicle that carries replacement batteries to the locomotive. This mediator enables rapid battery exchange by bringing pre-charged batteries directly to the locomotive at the swapping station, eliminating service interruptions while ensuring sufficient operational capacity.
3Loss of time
If battery swapping installation is added, then charging time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery swapping station is designed to serve multiple functions: it charges batteries, stores them, and facilitates their transfer to locomotives. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated facility, reducing overall infrastructure complexity while enabling rapid battery replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a charging and swapping station of a battery tender, a battery charging system and a method for assembling charging station within an existing rail network.