Universal Rail Power Supply for Track Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for supplying energy to rail vehicles face challenges in flexibility and efficiency due to country-specific and work-specific requirements, particularly in handling different traction current systems, which leads to high logistical and personnel costs during commissioning, acceptance, testing, and approval processes.
Innovation Solution
A system with a supply unit designed for quick coupling and a connection device that allows for the simulation of different traction current systems, featuring a converter circuit that can generate or convert AC or DC traction current, and a generator drive for mechanical energy conversion, along with a control device for monitoring and adapting to specific requirements, enabling flexible and efficient energy supply to track construction machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a locomotive is designed for a specific railway power grid system, then it operates efficiently in that system, but it cannot be used in different voltage systems without changing the locomotive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a locomotive that can operate across multiple railway power grid systems (15 kV AC 16.7 Hz, 25 kV AC 50 Hz, 1,500 V DC, 3,000 V DC) through a standardized interface. The converter system automatically adapts to different voltage systems without requiring locomotive changes, making the same locomotive universally applicable across different European countries and their respective electrification systems.
2Reliability
If different locomotives are used for different voltage systems, then each locomotive is optimized for its specific system, but locomotive changes are required at border stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for locomotive changes at border stations by equipping a single locomotive with a universal converter system that automatically adapts to different voltage systems. This multi-functional capability allows the locomotive to maintain optimized performance across 15 kV AC 16.7 Hz, 25 kV AC 50 Hz, 1,500 V DC, and 3,000 V DC systems without interruption or replacement.
3Ease of manufacture
If electrically powered track construction machines are designed for specific country requirements, then they meet local standards, but they cannot be used in different railway power grids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality to track construction machines by integrating a standardized converter system that enables operation across multiple railway power grids. The machine maintains compliance with local standards through automatic voltage and frequency adaptation, allowing the same equipment to be deployed in countries with 15 kV AC 16.7 Hz, 25 kV AC 50 Hz, 1,500 V DC, or 3,000 V DC systems without redesign.
4Reliability
If commissioning and testing are performed in different railway power grids, then local requirements are met, but logistical effort and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces logistical complexity by enabling commissioning and testing to be performed in a single location with a standardized power supply system. The converter system's ability to simulate multiple voltage systems (15 kV AC 16.7 Hz, 25 kV AC 50 Hz, 1,500 V DC, 3,000 V DC) allows all necessary tests to be conducted without transporting equipment to different countries, thereby meeting local requirement compliance while minimizing logistical effort.
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 solution significantly reduces logistical and personnel costs while ensuring high safety standards, allowing for efficient operation across various traction current systems without the need for overhead lines, and enables flexible and adaptable energy supply to meet different country-specific requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a generator (11) and an associated generator drive (12) installed upstream of the converter circuit (6)
Implementation Method 2
a converter circuit (6) for conditioning and/or converting traction current, characterized in that the converter circuit (6) is configured to generate the required form of traction current
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for supplying energy to rail vehicles traveling on a track (2), comprising a supply unit (1) for generating and/or converting electrical energy, in particular traction current, further comprising a rail vehicle and a connecting device for transmitting the electrical energy between the supply unit (1) and the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle is designed as a track construction machine (3), wherein the interface on the supply unit (1) for providing and transferring the electrical energy to the track construction machine (3) is configured as a quick-release coupling (13), wherein the connecting device between the quick-release coupling (13) and the track construction machine (3) is a two-pole electrical conductor with a forward and return conductor (10) and/or a single-pole conductor with a return conductor (8) via running gear or...is designed over track (2) and rail (9) and wherein the supply of electrical energy to the track construction machine (3) can be installed by means of a main switch (18) located in the roof area of the track construction machine (3). This increases the flexibility and performance in international work operations.