Inductive Charging Pavement Slab With Non-Metallic Road Thawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Winter contaminants such as snow, slush, or ice on pavement surfaces can reduce the efficiency of inductive power transfer to vehicles by blocking or misaligning the primary and secondary winding structures, and existing solutions like mechanical removal and chemical treatments have drawbacks such as inefficiency, environmental concerns, and high costs.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a non-metallic heating system within the field volume of the primary winding structure for inductive power transfer, which uses thermal energy to melt winter contaminants, minimizing electromagnetic interference and allowing for efficient power transfer by maintaining a clean and flat surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical methods (snowplows, brooms, snow sweepers) are used to remove winter contaminants, then the contaminants are removed from the surface, but the equipment operates at slow speeds, interferes with traffic, and can be damaging to the pavement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contaminant removal systems (snowplows, brooms, sweepers) with a thermal field system that uses electromagnetic induction to generate heat and melt contaminants. The primary winding structure embedded in the pavement generates an electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in the secondary winding structure, producing thermal energy to melt snow, ice, and slush without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating traffic interference and pavement damage while maintaining high operating speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of winter contaminants from solid (snow, ice) to liquid (water) through thermal energy generated by electromagnetic induction. The heating system raises the temperature of contaminants above their melting point, causing them to transition phase and be easily removed or cleared, providing reliable contaminant removal without mechanical intervention.
2Reliability
If chemical treatments (de-icing chemicals) are used to prevent contaminant bonding, then the contaminants are prevented from bonding to the pavement surface, but environmental restrictions limit chemical use and remediation is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical de-icing treatments with a physical thermal field system that uses electromagnetic induction to melt and prevent contaminant bonding. The primary winding structure generates an electromagnetic field that heats the pavement surface and contaminants, preventing them from bonding without introducing harmful chemicals into the environment, thereby eliminating environmental restrictions and remediation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of winter contaminants (which bond to cold pavement) into a beneficial thermal treatment process. By using electromagnetic induction to generate heat, the system transforms the cold bonding condition into a warm melting condition, preventing contaminant adhesion through thermal energy rather than chemical agents, thus avoiding environmental harm.
3Reliability
If heated pavement systems are used to melt snow and prevent bonding, then winter contaminants are effectively mitigated, but the initial costs and installation complexity are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the primary winding structure serves dual purposes: it acts as both a power transfer component for inductive charging and a heating element for contaminant mitigation. The electromagnetic field generated for power transfer simultaneously produces thermal effects that melt snow and ice, eliminating the need for separate heating infrastructure and reducing installation complexity and initial costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power transfer function and the heating function into a single integrated system. The primary winding structure embedded in the pavement performs both inductive power transmission to vehicles and thermal generation for snow and ice melting, combining two previously separate systems into one unified infrastructure that reduces overall complexity and installation requirements.
4Use of energy by moving object
If winter contaminants accumulate on the surface, then the inductive power transfer efficiency is reduced due to blocking and misalignment, but removing contaminants using traditional methods has drawbacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary thermal action to prevent contaminant accumulation that would interfere with power transfer. The electromagnetic field generated by the primary winding structure continuously or periodically heats the surface to melt and clear snow, ice, and slush before they can accumulate to blocking levels, ensuring maintained power transfer efficiency without requiring separate manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service contaminant removal through the electromagnetic field generated during normal power transfer operation. The same electromagnetic field used for inductive charging simultaneously generates thermal energy that melts and clears contaminants from the surface, eliminating the need for separate mechanical or chemical removal systems and simplifying overall operation.
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 system effectively melts winter contaminants, ensuring a high power transfer efficiency while being environmentally friendly and reducing the need for costly infrastructure changes, as it operates independently of the electromagnetic field and uses non-metallic elements to prevent interference.
Implementation Method 1
A route-sided conductor arrangement (primary winding structure) of a primary-sided system of the system for inductive power transfer produces an electromagnetic field. The field is received by a secondary winding structure integrated into a receiving device on board of the vehicle so that the field produces an electric voltage by induction.
Implementation Method 2
Integrating a non-metallic heating system within the field volume of the primary winding structure for inductive power transfer, which uses thermal energy to melt winter contaminants
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for inductive power transfer to vehicles driving or standing on a surface of a route, in particular to road automobiles, wherein the system comprises a primary winding structure for generating an alternating electromagnetic field, wherein a field volume (FV) is assigned to the primary winding structure, wherein the system comprises at least a part of a first heating system (12), wherein elements of the first heating system (12) which are arranged within the field volume (FV) are non-metallic elements. Further, the inventions relates to a pavement slab assembly and a method of operating a system for inductive power transfer.