Cable Car Double-Layer Capacitor Charging System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable car systems face challenges with lead-acid batteries, including short service life, requirement for full charging, temperature sensitivity, weight, and inability to be quickly charged, which limits energy availability and suitability for continuous operation.

Innovation Solution

A cable car system with rechargeable double-layer capacitors that can be efficiently charged during short station stops, providing continuous power to electrical consumers through a charging station with sensor-activated charging and a DC/DC converter for voltage regulation, and contactless inductive charging for reliable and safe energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If lead-acid batteries are used for powering electrical consumers in cable car cabins, then energy storage is achieved, but the service life is short and they require full charging at regular intervals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of energy storage deviceVSAvoidtime for full charging
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the energy storage device from lead-acid battery technology to double-layer capacitor technology. This parameter change enables fast charging capability while maintaining long service life, as double-layer capacitors can be charged in minutes rather than hours and do not suffer from sulfation issues that limit lead-acid battery lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electrochemical energy storage mechanism of lead-acid batteries with the electrostatic energy storage mechanism of double-layer capacitors. This substitution replaces the slow chemical reactions in lead-acid batteries with rapid charge/discharge cycles in capacitors, eliminating the need for lengthy full charging periods while extending operational duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If lead-acid batteries are used in cable car cabins, then energy storage is provided, but the weight is considerable making them unsuitable for continuous operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidweight of energy storage device
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy storage technology parameters from lead-acid batteries to double-layer capacitors, which have a significantly higher power-to-weight ratio. This parameter change enables the system to provide sufficient energy storage capacity for continuous operation while dramatically reducing the weight of the energy storage device in the cable car cabin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If lead-acid batteries are used for heating in cable car cabins, then heating is possible while in station, but heating is not guaranteed along the entire transport route

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidheating availability time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the slow electrochemical charging process of lead-acid batteries with the rapid electrostatic charging process of double-layer capacitors. This substitution enables the heating system to be recharged quickly during brief station stops, ensuring heating capability is maintained throughout the entire transport route including periods outside stations where lead-acid batteries would be depleted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If lead-acid batteries operate outside temperature range of -18°C to +30°C, then operation continues, but performance is reduced or battery failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature range operationVSAvoidbattery performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the temperature-sensitive electrochemical reactions of lead-acid batteries with the temperature-resilient electrostatic energy storage of double-layer capacitors. This substitution maintains reliable performance across a broader temperature range, including extreme cold conditions where lead-acid batteries would fail or require extensive thermal protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Use of energy by moving object

If lead-acid batteries are used in cable car cabins with closed windows, then energy storage is provided, but extensive heat protection is required due to internal temperatures up to 70°C

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage functionVSAvoidheat protection requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the heat-generating lead-acid battery system with a double-layer capacitor system that has superior thermal characteristics. This substitution reduces or eliminates the need for extensive heat protection mechanisms, simplifying the overall system design while maintaining energy storage functionality in the confined space of cable car cabins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The double-layer capacitors offer high cycle stability, efficient energy management, and continuous operation with prioritization of safety circuits, ensuring uninterrupted power to electrical consumers while minimizing weight and maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

Cable car system with transport equipment, in particular cable car cabins (13), which can be transported by means of a haul rope (11) on a transport route between at least two stations (S) of the cable car system (1), having a rechargeable electrical energy storage device (14), in particular a double-layer capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge separation: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

contactless inductive charging for reliable and safe energy transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3476686B1Cableway installation having transportation operating equipment for the transport of persons and/or freight
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 ROPETRANS AG
  • EP3476686B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3476686B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3476686B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a cableway system (1) with cable car cabins (13) for passenger and/or freight transport, which are transported by means of a haul rope on a transport route (L1, L2) between at least two stations (S) of the cableway system (1). Each cable car cabin has a rechargeable electrical energy storage device (14) and an operating control device (140) connected to the energy storage device. Each station (S) includes a charging station (2) designed for electrically charging energy storage devices, which can be electrically connected to an energy storage device (14) of a cable car cabin (13) for electrical charging. Sensor means (22, 23) are designed for detecting the cable car cabin (13) and for generating a sensor signal. Based on the sensor signal, a parameterizable charging current of the charging station (2) can be activated or deactivated by means of the operating control device (140).