Covered Charging Rail for Safe Battery Train Recharging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limitations of battery-powered trains include restricted range due to current technology, the need for manual battery replacement, and the challenge of on-board charging without exposing conductors to passengers or the public, which existing infrastructure cannot efficiently address.

Innovation Solution

A rail transport vehicle charging system utilizing a stationary battery, power input, and power output to charge train batteries via a charging rail system with sensors and interlocks ensuring safety and efficiency, allowing continuous charging from standard power supplies or alternative sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If batteries are used as the primary locomotive power source on trains, then the train achieves self-propulsion capability, but the range is limited due to battery capacity constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-propulsion capabilityVSAvoidrange

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the energy storage function into two separate battery systems: an on-board battery for self-propulsion and a stationary battery for energy storage and charging. This segmentation allows the train to maintain self-propulsion capability while the stationary battery provides extended range through regenerative braking energy capture and supplementary charging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary battery acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the train and the power grid. It receives regenerative braking energy from the train, stores it, and provides charging current to extend the train's operational range, thereby mediating the energy transfer without requiring direct grid connection to the moving train.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual battery replacement is implemented, then the battery can be replaced during the course of the day's running, but it requires expertise and manual intervention which may not be desirable at a railway station

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery replacement capabilityVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic battery charging through regenerative braking capture and automated connection to the stationary battery. The train automatically captures braking energy and charges its battery without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-servicing rather than requiring expert personnel at railway stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If on-board charging is implemented, then the batteries can be recharged during operation, but exposed conductors providing the charging supply become accessible to passengers or the general public, creating safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-board charging capabilityVSAvoidexposed conductor accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the charging function from the moving train and relocates it to a stationary battery system at the terminal. The stationary battery provides charging current to the train through fixed infrastructure connections rather than through exposed conductors on the moving vehicle, thereby eliminating the safety hazard of accessible live conductors while maintaining charging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If existing electricity supplies are used for charging, then the infrastructure is readily available, but it is not capable of delivering the power levels required to charge a train battery in an adequate time period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure availabilityVSAvoidcharging power level

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The stationary battery is pre-charged from the grid during periods when high power is not needed, and then provides high-power discharge to the train during charging operations. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to deliver high charging power levels using standard grid infrastructure, as the stationary battery acts as a buffer that can provide peak power when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables safe, continuous, and efficient battery charging of trains without manual intervention, extending the range and operational capability of battery-powered rail units.

Implementation Method 1

a stationary battery; a power input configured to charge the stationary battery at a first power level; a power output configured to discharge the stationary battery at a second power level, higher than the first power level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3802202B1Rail transport vehicle electric energy storage and charging system

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 FIRST GREATER WESTERN LTD

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AI summary

A rail transport vehicle electric energy storage and charging system has an energy storage sub-system (200) and a charging system (400) having a charging rail (4) which only charges a vehicle (10) when the rail is covered.The invention also provides a battery-powered rail vehicle having a rail-contacting charging shoe.