Superconductive Railway Feeding Cable Layout for Voltage Drop Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In railway feeding systems, the installation of substations at short intervals is hindered by urban space constraints, leading to potential differences in voltage between trolley lines at air sections, which can result in spark generation when railway vehicles pass through, especially when substations are far apart.

Innovation Solution

The integration of superconductive feeding cables in parallel with the feeding line from substations to trolley lines reduces voltage drops, minimizing potential differences and preventing spark generation by utilizing zero electrical resistance in the superconductive sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If substations are installed at longer intervals to accommodate urban space constraints, then land use efficiency is improved, but voltage potential difference increases causing harmful sparks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveland use efficiencyVSAvoidvoltage potential difference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An air section is introduced as an intermediary component between the feeding line and trolley line to provide a controlled connection point. This air section includes a connection portion that can be selectively connected or disconnected, serving as a mediator to manage voltage potential differences when substations are installed at longer intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the electrical parameters by providing multiple air sections at different positions along the feeding line. Each air section can be independently controlled to optimize the electrical connection characteristics, thereby managing voltage potential differences across varying substation intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If air sections are installed far from substations due to location restrictions, then installation flexibility is improved, but voltage potential difference increases causing sparks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidspark generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding line is divided into multiple segments with air sections positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to various installation constraints while maintaining electrical stability by distributing the connection points across different segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air sections are designed with movable or selectively connectable components that can be dynamically adjusted or connected/disconnected based on operational requirements, enabling flexible installation while managing voltage potential differences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration significantly reduces voltage drops along the feeding line, ensuring safe passage of railway vehicles through air sections by maintaining low potential differences between trolley lines, thus inhibiting spark occurrence.

Implementation Method 1

a superconductive feeding cable connected to a midway portion of a line connecting each substation to the trolley line via the feeding line, in parallel to the line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Data Source

PatentEP3556603B1Railway direct-current feeding system
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 RAILWAY TECHNICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
  • EP3556603B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3556603B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3556603B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A railway direct-current system according to the present invention is provided with: a feeding line that is connected to a plurality of electric power substations arranged along a railway; and a trolley line that is connected to the feeding line via feeding branch lines at an arbitrarily defined interval, wherein a superconductive feeding cable is connected to somewhere midway in each of railroad lines extending from the substations to the trolley line via the feeding lines, so as to be parallel with the railroad line.