Half-Wave Controller for Rail Energy Data Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for transmitting energy and data in rail systems using alternating current half-waves are limited, particularly in efficiently digitizing sinusoidal three-phase voltage networks for reliable information transmission to mobile receivers.

Innovation Solution

A system that employs a transmitter connected to a three-phase voltage network, utilizing digitizing means with voltage dividers, diodes, and optocouplers to generate pulse-shaped signals from half-waves, enabling digital control and phase failure detection, allowing for efficient energy transmission and data communication in rail systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a three-phase voltage network is used for energy transmission, then energy transmission efficiency is improved, but digital information transmission capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddigital information transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sinusoidal voltage waveform into discrete half-wave cycles, with each half-wave representing a binary state (0 or 1). The control unit divides the three-phase voltage network signals into individual half-wave detections, allowing digital information to be encoded and transmitted through the energy transmission lines without interfering with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by encoding digital information in the presence or absence of half-wave voltage cycles rather than using separate digital signal lines. By utilizing the voltage parameter variations of the existing three-phase energy transmission system, the patent enables dual functionality without adding separate communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If half-wave control is implemented for digital signaling, then information transmission is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmissionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the three-phase voltage network serve dual functions: energy transmission and digital information transmission. The same conductors that carry power are also used for data communication through half-wave control, eliminating the need for separate communication lines and reducing overall system complexity despite the added control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own energy transmission infrastructure to carry information signals. The control unit leverages the existing voltage network to generate and detect half-wave patterns for digital communication, allowing the system to communicate using its inherent operational characteristics rather than requiring external communication dedicated infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If optocouplers are used for galvanic isolation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegalvanic isolationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optocouplers as intermediary devices between the high-voltage three-phase network and the low-voltage control circuitry. These optocouplers provide galvanic isolation by converting electrical signals to optical signals and back, protecting the control unit from voltage spikes and electrical interference while maintaining reliable signal transmission for half-wave detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reliable digital information transmission and efficient energy supply to mobile units by digitizing sinusoidal energy transmission, ensuring secure and efficient communication and phase failure detection without the need for complex star connections.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage-dependent switch (Th) and is used to charge a capacitance (C3), in particular a capacitor (C3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a voltage corresponding to the mains phase voltage, in particular a voltage generated using a voltage divider (R1, R2) made up of resistors, is fed to a diode (D1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode rectification: Diode

Implementation Method 3

the voltage-dependent switch (Th) releases and/or opens a current path when the voltage at the control input falls below the voltage at the capacitor (C3), the current path feeding the input of an optocoupler (V1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptocoupler galvanic isolation:

Data Source

PatentEP3080919B1System for the transmission of energy and data
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3080919B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3080919B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3080919B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to the transmission of energy and data, in particular comprising a half-wave controller, having a control unit connected to network phases, a voltage that corresponds to the network phase voltage, in particular a voltage generated with a voltage divider (R1, R2) formed from resistors, being supplied to a diode (D1) in the control unit, the output signal of which diode is used as a control voltage for a voltage-dependent switch (Th), and being used to charge a capacitance (C3), in particular capacitor (C3), the charge current in particular being routed via a diode (D2).