Dual-Mode Electric Machine for Railway AC and DC Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric machines for railway systems require separate transformers for AC voltage operation and throttles for DC voltage operation, leading to increased weight, size, and cost due to the need for additional components to meet impedance and compatibility requirements across different voltage standards.
Innovation Solution
An electric machine with a transformer core and windings configured for optional operation as a transformer for AC voltage or as a throttle system for DC voltage, featuring a transformer core with two limbs, a higher-voltage winding, two traction windings, and an additional winding, where the additional winding is only required during DC voltage operation, allowing the traction windings to function as network filter throttles and enabling adjustable inductances to meet regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate transformers and throttles are used for AC and DC voltage operation, then the electric machine can comply with impedance and compatibility requirements for different voltage standards, but the weight, size, and cost increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by configuring the transformer windings to serve dual purposes: during AC operation, the transformer provides voltage transformation, while during DC operation, the same transformer windings function as throttles with specific inductance values. This eliminates the need for separate throttle components, reducing weight and component count while maintaining compliance with both AC and DC voltage system requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the transformer and throttles into a single integrated electric machine. The transformer core and windings structure is designed to provide both transformation functionality for AC voltages (15 kV, 25 kV) and throttle functionality for DC voltages (3 kV, 1.5 kV) through appropriate winding configurations and connection arrangements, thereby consolidating multiple components into one
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate transformers and throttles are used for AC and DC voltage operation, then the electric machine can comply with impedance and compatibility requirements for different voltage standards, but the device size increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer windings are designed to perform multiple functions: voltage transformation during AC operation and inductance provision during DC operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate throttle components, reducing the overall device footprint and allowing the electric machine to be built smaller while maintaining compatibility across different voltage standards
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the transformer and throttle functions into a single integrated structure with shared magnetic core and windings, the patent reduces the total device area. The same physical components serve both AC transformation and DC throttle functions, eliminating the space required for separate throttle assemblies
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate transformers and throttles are used for AC and DC voltage operation, then the electric machine can comply with impedance and compatibility requirements for different voltage standards, but the cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves cost-effectiveness by designing transformer windings that serve dual purposes across different operating modes. The same windings provide transformation capability for AC voltages and inductance for DC voltages, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble separate throttle components, thereby reducing material costs, assembly costs, and overall manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the transformer and throttle functions into a single integrated electric machine, the patent reduces the total component count, simplifies the bill of materials, and reduces assembly operations. This integration leads to lower manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to comply with various voltage standard requirements
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
This configuration allows for a weight reduction, smaller size, and cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for additional throttles during DC voltage operation, while ensuring compliance with input impedance and electromagnetic compatibility standards.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer core with two limbs including a first limb and a second limb; an additional winding with a first additional partial winding wound around first limb and a second additional partial winding electrically connected to first additional partial winding and wound around second limb of transformer core; a higher-voltage winding with a first higher-voltage partial winding wound around first additional partial winding and a second higher-voltage partial winding electrically connected to first higher-voltage partial winding and wound around second additional partial winding
Implementation Method 2
a transformer core with two limbs including a first limb and a second limb; an additional winding with a first additional partial winding wound around first limb and a second additional partial winding electrically connected to first additional partial winding and wound around second limb of transformer core
Data Source
AI summary
An electric machine is selectively operated as a transformer for AC voltage operation or as a throttle system for DC voltage operation. A transformer core has two limbs. An additional winding with a first additional partial winding is wound around a first limb and a second additional winding is wound around the second limb. A higher-voltage winding with a first higher-voltage partial winding is wound around the first additional partial winding and a second higher-voltage partial winding is wound around the second additional partial winding. A first traction winding is wound around the first higher-voltage partial winding and a second traction winding is wound around the second higher-voltage partial winding. A first DC voltage winding may be wound around the first traction winding and a second DC voltage winding may be wound around the second traction winding.