Low-Voltage Multicellular Traction Chain With Segmented Coil Powering

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-power electric traction chains face challenges with voltage handling, complexity, and efficiency due to high voltage and current intensities, leading to premature aging and size issues in electrical machines and power converters.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves dividing the windings of the electrical machine into smaller, magnetically coupled partial coils, each powered by reduced voltage, allowing for parallel operation of multiple power converters and batteries, reducing voltage and current intensities, and enabling low-voltage operation without compromising power delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high voltage and current intensities are used in electric traction chains, then power delivery capability is improved, but premature aging and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidpremature aging
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electric machine into multiple independent electric submachines, each operating at lower voltage and current levels. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high total power output while each individual submachine experiences reduced electrical stress, thereby preventing premature aging and improving reliability of the overall traction chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If high voltage and current intensities are used in electric traction chains, then power delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of power converters
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single complex power converter into multiple simpler power converters, each associated with an electric submachine. Each power converter operates at lower voltage levels with simpler design requirements, reducing the complexity of individual power conversion stages while maintaining the overall high power capability through parallel operation of multiple submachines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Power

If high voltage and current intensities are used in electric traction chains, then power delivery capability is improved, but size of electrical machines increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidsize of electrical machines
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrical machine into multiple smaller electric submachines, each with reduced size requirements since they operate at lower power levels individually. The combined volume of multiple compact submachines is less than a single large high-voltage machine, achieving high total power output while reducing overall size and improving spatial efficiency in the traction chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach reduces the risk of premature aging, minimizes the size and complexity of power converters, enhances efficiency, and allows for safer handling and management of the traction chain, while maintaining equivalent power output.

Implementation Method 1

Each partial coil generates its own magnetic field. The variations over time of the supply current of the partial coils lead to a variation over time of the level of each of the magnetic fields generated. The phase shift applied to the supply voltages of the partial coils then causes a variation over time of the direction of the total magnetic field produced, which causes the rotor to rotate.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3583683B1Multicellular traction chain comprising an electric machine powered at low voltage
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)
  • EP3583683B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3583683B1 patent drawingFigure 1c
  • EP3583683B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A multicellular converter for a low-voltage traction chain. The invention relates to an electric machine and a traction machine utilising said electric machine. The electric traction chain according to the invention comprises an electric machine, a plurality of power converters configured to generate AC power signals associated with the various phases of the electric machine, and a plurality of DC power sources. The electric machine according to the invention comprises a rotor and a stator, the stator comprising at least one winding made from coilings of an insulated conductive material, each winding being associated with one phase of the electric machine, and comprising a plurality of independently powered coils. Each DC power source of the electric machine is associated with a separate power converter, the coils of a same winding are powered by power signals associated with a same phase generated by the separate power converters.