Tram Ground Power Circuit with Common Supply Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply circuits for tramways require specific manholes and sheaths for equipotentialization, leading to increased installation complexity and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A ground-level electrical power supply circuit with a common electrical supply line and current return line for two parallel tracks, allowing for simultaneous voltage application and eliminating the need for separate equipotentialization manholes and sheaths, using connection assemblies with switching modules to manage power distribution between conductive track segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate equipotentialization manholes and sheaths are installed for each supply track, then the electrical potential stability is improved, but the installation complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the equipotentialization function from separate track-specific manholes into a single shared manhole structure. The common electrical supply line and current return line are both connected to this single equipotentialization point, eliminating the need for multiple separate equipotentialization installations while maintaining electrical potential stability across both tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The single shared manhole serves multiple functions: it provides equipotentialization for both supply tracks, houses the connection assemblies for both the common supply line and return line, and acts as a centralized access point for maintenance. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If separate equipotentialization manholes and sheaths are installed for each supply track, then the electrical potential stability is improved, but the maintenance accessibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all equipotentialization connections and cable access points into a single shared manhole, the patent creates one centralized maintenance location. This eliminates the need for maintenance personnel to access multiple separate manholes and sheaths, significantly improving maintenance accessibility while still providing the necessary equipotentialization for both tracks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection points are distributed along the tracks, then the power distribution flexibility is improved, but the number of connection points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the connection assemblies from a distributed linear arrangement along the tracks to a centralized two-dimensional configuration within the shared manhole. The connection assemblies are arranged in a compact planar layout, reducing the number of discrete connection points while maintaining power distribution flexibility through the common supply line architecture.
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
Simplifies installation by eliminating the need for equipotentialization manholes and sheaths, facilitates easier maintenance access, and reduces the number of connection points through centralized switching control.
Implementation Method 1
connection assemblies (14) making it possible to connect any one of the tracks (6, 8) to the electric cables (10, 12)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The circuit has two parallel vehicle running lanes (2, 4) equipped with power supply tracks (6, 8) that include a series of conducting track segments (28-31) separated by insulated joints (24, 26). An electrical power supply line (9) is connected to terminals of a power supply source, where the line is common to the power supply tracks. Switching modules (46, 48) selectively and independently connect segments of power supply tracks to the power supply line. The power supply line includes a power supply cable (10) and a current return cable (12).