Collector Lateral Position Sensing from Magnetic Field Amplitudes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the lateral position of a collector relative to a rail supplied with electrical energy require knowledge of the phase of the alternating current, leading to unreliable position determination if the phase information is erroneous.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine the lateral position of the collector based solely on the amplitudes of measured magnetic fields, eliminating the need for phase information, and incorporating bandpass filtering and peak detection to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase information is used to determine lateral position, then positioning can be performed, but reliability deteriorates when phase information is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and uses only the amplitude information from the magnetic field measurements, discarding the phase information. By determining lateral position solely from amplitude ratios, the system eliminates dependence on phase data, thereby improving reliability when phase information is incorrect or unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter used for position determination from phase to amplitude. By measuring the ratio of amplitudes from two sensors and comparing it to reference values, the system achieves reliable positioning without requiring accurate phase information
2Reliability
If amplitude-based determination is used, then reliability improves, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by comparing the measured amplitude ratio with pre-stored reference amplitude ratios in a lookup table. This comparison provides feedback that enables accurate position determination while compensating for variations in magnetic field strength, reducing the stringent requirements for absolute measurement precision
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
Improves the reliability of determining the lateral position of the collector relative to the rail by focusing on magnetic field amplitudes, reducing reliance on phase data and enhancing signal processing through filtering and peak detection, thereby improving positioning accuracy for efficient energy collection.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a magnetic field using two proximity sensors positioned along the rail
Implementation Method 2
the lateral position of the collector relative to the rail is determined from the amplitudes of each measured magnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the lateral position of a collector (30) relative to an electrically powered rail. The rail is connected to a magnetic field source. The collector is designed to collect electrical energy by contact with the rail. The method comprises the following successive steps: - measuring a magnetic field using each of two proximity sensors (65) positioned along the rail and whose position relative to the collector (30) is known, and - determining the lateral position of the collector (30) from the measured magnetic fields. During the determination step, the lateral position of the collector (30) relative to the rail is determined from the amplitudes of each measured magnetic field.