Segmented Conductor Energy Transfer with Centralized Inverter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transferring electric energy to vehicles, such as track-bound vehicles and buses, face challenges in reducing cooling efforts and the number of active electronic components, while also operating efficiently beyond the maximum input voltage of solid-state switches and ensuring effective detection and operation of segments.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an alternating current supply connected in parallel to multiple segments, with each segment coupled to a switching unit and a constant current source, eliminating the need for inverters and reducing cooling efforts by using passive cooling and central inverter cooling, and integrating detection and control in a common module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If each segment is fed by a direct current line with an inverter for converting to alternating current, then electromagnetic energy can be transferred to the vehicle, but the cooling effort and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple inverters into a single inverter located at the main power supply line. Instead of having separate inverters at each segment, one centralized inverter converts DC to AC for the entire conductor arrangement, eliminating the need for multiple cooling systems and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to transfer electromagnetic energy to vehicles
2Power
If the maximum operation voltage of solid state switches is exceeded, then higher voltage operation is not possible, but using an alternating current supply line with converters increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transformer as an intermediary component in the alternating current supply line. The transformer enables voltage level adaptation between the main supply line and individual segments without requiring complex solid state switch arrangements or multiple converters, thus achieving higher voltage operation while maintaining relatively simple system architecture
3Power
If non-sinusoidal current functions are produced, then harmonics at different frequencies are generated, but providing filters increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that monitors the current function and provides feedback to the inverter. This feedback mechanism enables the inverter to automatically adjust and maintain a sinusoidal current function, preventing harmonic generation without requiring additional filters, thus achieving clean power delivery while keeping the system relatively simple
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 solution reduces the effort for cooling and the number of active components, allows operation at higher voltages, and facilitates efficient detection and selective operation of segments, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of energy transfer to vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring electromagnetic energy to the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle (81; 91), in particular to a track bound vehicle (81) such as a light rail vehicle or to a road automobile (91) such as a bus, wherein - the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement (connected to 14) for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring electromagnetic energy to the vehicle, - the conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of consecutive segments (connected to 15), wherein each segment extends along a different section of the path of travel of the vehicle, - the system comprises an alternating current supply for conducting electric energy to a plurality of the segments, wherein the segments are electrically connected in parallel to each other with the alternating current supply, - each segment is coupled to the supply via an associated switching unit (13) adapted to switch on and off the segment by connecting or disconnecting the segment to/from the supply, - each segment is coupled to the associated switching unit (switches 16) via a constant current source (18, 20) adapted to keep the electric current through the segment constant - while the segment is switched on - independently of the electric power which is transferred to one or more vehicles travelling along the segment.