Electric Traction Energy Management for Multi-Source Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles with electrical traction lack flexibility in power management, limiting their operating modes and efficiency, especially when transitioning between different power sources and during braking or urban operations where external power lines may not be available.
Innovation Solution
A power management system for vehicles with electrical traction that integrates a rechargeable battery storage system, bidirectional DC/DC converters, and a controller device to manage energy flow between various power sources, including catenary, engine-generator, and auxiliary services, allowing for efficient energy recovery during braking and optimized power distribution across different operating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a thermal engine is used to provide mechanical power to an electric motor-generator, then the vehicle can operate on non-electrified lines, but the complexity of the power management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor-generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a motor during acceleration, as a generator during braking to recover energy, and as a power source when coupled with the thermal engine. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall power management architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thermal engine, electric motor-generator, and battery storage system into an integrated hybrid powertrain. The controller coordinates these components to work together, merging their functions into a unified system that manages power flow automatically, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the increased versatility.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery storage systems are used to store electricity on-board, then energy can be stored during electrified line operation for use on non-electrified routes, but the weight of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery storage system is designed to provide partial energy storage capacity rather than complete self-sufficiency. The batteries store enough energy to operate on short non-electrified routes or to supplement power during peak demand, rather than sizing them to enable unlimited off-line operation. This partial action approach balances weight constraints with extended operational capability.
3Loss of energy
If energy is recovered during braking by charging the battery, then energy efficiency improves, but the complexity of the energy management control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system automatically manages the charging and discharging of the battery based on real-time operating conditions. The controller monitors parameters such as battery state of charge, power demand, and braking events, then autonomously decides when to recover energy during braking and when to discharge stored energy, making the system self-regulating without requiring complex external control interventions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle operates without external power lines using battery and engine-generator, then infrastructure needs are reduced, but the productivity of the vehicle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery storage system is charged in advance during operation on electrified lines when external power is available. This preliminary energy storage allows the vehicle to operate independently on non-electrified routes without compromising performance, as the batteries are pre-loaded with sufficient energy to maintain productivity during off-line operation.
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
Enhances energy efficiency by recovering and reusing braking energy, reducing power peaks on the main line, and enabling vehicles to operate on long routes without external power, increasing versatility and reducing infrastructure needs, while also improving the reliability and maintenance of the engine-generator system.
Implementation Method 1
bidirectional DC/DC converters, and a controller device to manage energy flow between various power sources
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor-generator coupled to a DC bus (1) by means of a bidirectional electronic converter (7) of the AC/DC type
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has an electric traction chain to supply a drive torque to the wheels, and an energy management system comprising: a generator set configured to generate a first supply voltage and mechanically disconnected from the wheels in every operating condition; a battery storage assembly configured to generate a second supply voltage; a control unit that implements operative conditions of the vehicle, including: (i) powering the electrical traction chain with the first supply voltage; (ii) powering the electrical traction chain with the second supply voltage; (iii) recharging the storage assembly with a network voltage external to the vehicle and coming from a catenary; (iv) recharging the storage assembly with the first supply voltage; and (v) recharging the storage assembly with a recovered voltage generated by the traction chain operating as an electrical generator.