Segmented Rail Transformer Core for Variable Coil Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traction transformers have fixed geometries that are either round or rectangular, limiting their adaptability to specific rail applications where variable coil geometries and mechanical properties are required, leading to potential inefficiencies and reduced compactness.
Innovation Solution
A transformer core produced from individual segments with varying cross-sectional surface areas and shapes, allowing for customizable geometry and enhanced mechanical properties, enabling a more compact and adaptable design that can fit various rail vehicle profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional round or rectangular cores are used, then the transformer structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the geometry cannot be adapted to specific rail application requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The core is divided into multiple individual segments with different cross-sectional surface areas and geometries. These segments are arranged and connected to form the complete core structure, allowing flexible adaptation to various geometric requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized segment production.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the core is made from multiple segments with different cross-sectional areas, then the geometry can be customized for rail applications, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The core is constructed from multiple individually manufacturable segments that can be produced using conventional methods and then assembled. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for standard manufacturing processes while the overall geometry achieves customizability through different segment combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The segment design enables universal application across different transformer configurations required by rail applications. The same segment production methodology can be used to create various core geometries, making the manufacturing process adaptable rather than truly complex.
3Volume of moving object
If fixed round or rectangular geometries are used, then the production method is simple, but the transformer cannot achieve compactness for rail vehicle installations
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the core into segments with varying cross-sectional areas, the overall transformer geometry can be optimized for compactness. The segments are arranged to create space-efficient configurations that adapt to the available installation space in rail vehicles, achieving better volume utilization than fixed geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of segments with different cross-sectional surface areas creates asymmetric core geometries that can be tailored to fit specific spatial constraints in rail applications. This asymmetric design allows the transformer to achieve compact forms that conventional symmetric round or rectangular cores cannot provide.
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 customizable core geometry allows for a more compact transformer design that can cover a broader range of voltage and power, improving mechanical properties and adaptability to rail applications.
Implementation Method 1
a core which is at least partially surrounded by at least one coil
Data Source
AI summary
A transformer for use in a rail vehicle and/or for rail applications, including a core which is at least partially surrounded by at least one coil is, with regard to the objective of providing a transformer in which the geometry of a coil can be selected to be as variable as possible, characterized in that the core is produced from individual segments, wherein the total cross-sectional surface-area of the core is greater than or equal to the sum of the individual cross-sectional surface-areas of the segments and wherein at least two individual cross-sectional surface-areas differ from each other and/or from the total cross-sectional surface-area in terms of their size and/or geometric shape.