Railway Traction Substation Voltage Adjustment for Balanced Power Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing railway vehicle electrical power systems face imbalances due to constant no-load voltage settings in substations, leading to over-sizing of less used substations and inefficient power distribution, as the parameters such as vehicle interval and location are assumed constant during design but change over time.

Innovation Solution

An electronic adjustment device acquires power exchange data from substations, determines the periodicity and updates no-load voltage values using optimization algorithms and machine learning models to equalize power distribution dynamically, allowing real-time adaptation to changing traffic conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If constant no-load voltage settings are used in substations, then the calibration of each substation can be standardized and simplified, but this leads to power distribution imbalances where some substations are oversized and less efficiently used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization of substation calibrationVSAvoidpower distribution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, constant no-load voltage settings to dynamic voltage adjustment. The control unit continuously monitors power exchange data and periodically updates no-load voltage values for each substation based on current traffic conditions, ensuring optimal power distribution efficiency while maintaining standardized substation designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the no-load voltage parameter of substations based on acquired power exchange data. The control unit calculates updated no-load voltage values that reflect current system conditions, thereby optimizing power distribution without requiring physical modifications to substation infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If pre-designed no-load voltage parameters are used during the design stage, then the substation calibration can be determined in advance, but these parameters become suboptimal when traffic conditions change over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign and calibration timeVSAvoidadaptation to changing traffic conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the control unit continuously acquire power exchange data from substations and use this information to periodically update no-load voltage settings. This closed-loop system ensures that substation parameters automatically adapt to changing traffic conditions without requiring manual redesign or recalibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing standardized substation calibrations during the design stage, which provides a solid foundation for future adaptive operations. The initial parameter settings enable immediate operation while the system evolves to become increasingly optimized through continuous data collection and periodic updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4450318A1Method for adjusting the operation of a power supply system for railway vehicles, associated computer program product, electronic adjustment device and power supply system
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA
  • EP4450318A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4450318A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4450318A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the operation of an electrical power supply system (15) for a set of railway vehicles (5). The power supply system comprises a plurality of traction substations (20). Each traction substation is designed to exchange electrical power with at least one of the railway vehicles and includes a device (30) for adjusting its no-load voltage. The method includes acquiring, from each traction substation, data representative of an exchange of electrical power between said substation and at least one of the railway vehicles. The method further includes determining the periodicity of the acquired data and determining an updated value of the no-load voltage corresponding to each substation.The process further includes sending, to the control unit of each traction substation, the updated value of the no-load voltage corresponding to that traction substation.