Railway Traction Chain Modulation Control for Rotor Loss Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing traction chains for railway vehicles experience significant losses due to harmonic currents induced in the rotor by polyphase voltage, leading to heating issues from Joule and Foucault effects.

Innovation Solution

The traction chain incorporates means to vary the degree of modulation based on rotor speed, reducing the modulation rate when the rotor speed is low and increasing it when high, and adjusts the rotor magnetic flux accordingly to minimize harmonic losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a fixed modulation rate is used in the power supply system, then the control is simple, but significant harmonic losses and heating occur in the rotor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonic losses in rotorVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the modulation rate variable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically adjusts the modulation rate based on the rotor speed to minimize harmonic losses. Specifically, the modulation rate is reduced when rotor speed is below a threshold value and increased when rotor speed exceeds the threshold, allowing the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and reduce energy losses in the rotor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the modulation rate parameter based on rotor speed conditions. By monitoring rotor speed and adjusting the modulation rate accordingly (reducing it at low speeds and increasing it at high speeds), the system optimizes performance and minimizes harmonic losses. This parameter change approach allows the power supply system to operate efficiently across different speed ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If the modulation rate is reduced to minimize harmonic losses, then rotor heating decreases, but the power output may be insufficient at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve rotor temperatureVSAvoidmotor power output
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the modulation rate based on rotor speed to balance temperature control and power output. At low rotor speeds, the modulation rate is reduced to minimize harmonic losses and prevent overheating. At high rotor speeds, the modulation rate is increased to ensure sufficient power output. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal temperature while delivering required power across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If the modulation rate is increased to maintain power output at high speeds, then power delivery is sufficient, but harmonic losses and rotor heating increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor power outputVSAvoidharmonic losses in rotor
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the modulation rate parameter based on rotor speed thresholds. When rotor speed is below the threshold, a lower modulation rate is applied to minimize harmonic losses. When rotor speed exceeds the threshold, the modulation rate is increased to maintain sufficient power output. This conditional parameter change strategy optimizes the balance between power delivery and energy losses across different operating ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces harmonic losses in the rotor, leading to lower heating and improved efficiency by optimizing the modulation rate and magnetic flux in response to varying rotor speeds.

Implementation Method 1

This polyphase voltage is pulse width modulated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse width modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

These induced harmonic currents generate losses by Joule and Foucault effect in the rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule effect: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

These induced harmonic currents generate losses by Joule and Foucault effect in the rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoucault effect: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 4

an electric motor comprising a shaft, a stator and a rotor, the rotor being rotatable around the axis of the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2416490B1Power train for a transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, and method for controlling such a chain
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP2416490B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2416490B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2416490B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This traction chain (10) for a transport vehicle includes an electric motor (12) comprising a shaft (22), a stator (24) and a rotor (26), a power supply system (14) receiving a direct current input voltage (DCD) and delivering a polyphase voltage to the motor (12), the system (14) having a modulation rate equal to the voltage amplitude of each phase of the motor divided by the direct current input voltage (DCD), and a sensor (20) for the rotational speed of the rotor (Vrotor).This traction chain (10) includes means for varying the modulation rate capable of decreasing the modulation rate relative to the modulation rate in the absence of means for varying the modulation rate, when the rotational speed of the rotor (Vrotor) belongs to a first interval of values ​​less than a predetermined transition value, and capable of increasing the modulation rate relative to the modulation rate in the absence of means for varying the modulation rate, when the rotational speed of the rotor (Vrotor) belongs to a second interval of values ​​greater than the predetermined transition value.