Switchable Collector Contacts for Higher Off-Board Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power delivery systems for powered systems, such as rail vehicles, are limited in the amount of power they can draw from off-board sources due to the number of conductive contacts, which restricts energy transfer and may not efficiently manage communication and grounding connections.
Innovation Solution
A power delivery system with a collector device that includes conductive contacts that can switch modes of operation to increase power transfer capability, allowing for separate conduction of positive and negative potentials, communication signals, and grounding connections, with a controller managing these switches to optimize energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of conductive contacts in the collector device is increased to draw more power from the off-board source, then the power transfer capability is improved, but the device complexity and the number of contacts required for communication and grounding checks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collector device employs dynamic contact switching where contacts can change their function between different operational modes. The controller switches contacts between a first mode (for communication and grounding) and a second mode (for additional power conduction), allowing the same physical contacts to serve multiple purposes at different times, thereby increasing power capability without proportionally increasing the number of contacts
Solution Approach 2:
The collector device segments the conduction paths by providing separate conductive contacts for positive potential and negative potential. This segmentation allows independent control and switching of each polarity's power transfer, enabling optimized power delivery while maintaining clear functional separation for safety and control purposes
2Reliability
If conductive contacts are used for communication and grounding connections, then reliable communication and safety checks are ensured, but the amount of power that can be drawn from the off-board source is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches contact functions based on operational mode. During initial operation, contacts establish communication and grounding connections for reliability. When safety is confirmed and additional power is needed, the controller switches the same contacts to conduct additional positive and negative potentials, thereby increasing power capability while maintaining communication and grounding through the same reliable contact infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive contacts are designed with multi-functionality, serving dual purposes: they establish and maintain communication pathways and grounding connections for safety and control, while also conducting additional positive and negative potentials for increased power transfer. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated contacts for each function
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 system enhances power transfer efficiency by selectively switching contact modes to increase the amount of power received by the powered system, ensuring safe and reliable operation while maintaining communication and grounding connections.
Implementation Method 1
The contacts may separately conduct a positive potential, conduct a negative potential, conduct a communication signal, and provide a connection to a ground reference in a first mode of operation
Implementation Method 2
The contacts may switch modes of operation to change a power transfer capability of the collector device
Implementation Method 3
provide a connection to a ground reference in a first mode of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A power delivery system may include a collector device that can selectively couple a vehicle with a delivery device coupled with an off-board power source. The collector device may include conductive contacts that each can engage the delivery device. The contacts may switch modes of operation to change a power transfer capability of the collector device. The contacts may separately conduct a positive potential, conduct a negative potential, conduct a communication signal, and provide a connection to a ground reference in a first mode of operation of the modes of operation. The contacts may separately conduct the positive potential, conduct an additional amount of the positive potential, conduct the negative potential, and conduct an additional amount of the negative potential in a second mode of operation of the modes of operation.