Vehicle Power Collection Control for Contaminated Conductive Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive pathways in vehicle systems, such as overhead catenaries or electrified rails, often become impaired due to contaminants like ice, dirt, or corrosion, leading to inconsistent power supply, which can cause unsafe vehicle operation and component damage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that monitors voltage levels, identifies conduction impaired locations, and employs a collector device to remove contaminants, switches to onboard energy sources, and notifies other systems to manage power distribution and pathway conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle system relies on the conductive pathway for power supply, then the vehicle can operate using off-board power, but the power supply becomes inconsistent when contaminants or spatial misalignment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system stores energy in onboard energy storage devices (batteries, capacitors) in advance. When voltage fluctuations or power interruptions occur on the conductive pathway, the stored energy acts as a buffer to maintain continuous power supply to critical loads, preventing operational disruptions caused by contaminants or misalignment on the conductive pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as collector device position, drawing current levels, and power distribution based on real-time voltage monitoring. When contaminants or misalignment are detected through voltage changes, the system modifies these parameters to optimize power collection and maintain reliable operation despite the harmful factors.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the collector device maintains constant contact with the conductive pathway, then power transfer is continuous, but sudden power fluctuations occur when encountering impaired sections
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors voltage levels on the conductive pathway through sensors on the vehicle. This feedback information is processed by the control system to detect voltage drops or fluctuations indicating impaired sections. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts collector device positioning, modifies current drawing, or activates onboard energy storage to compensate, thereby maintaining continuous and stable power transfer despite encountering contaminants or misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The collector device and power management system are designed to be dynamic rather than static. The collector device can adjust its position and contact pressure in real-time, and the power management system dynamically switches between onboard and off-board power sources. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain continuous power transfer while responding to changing conditions on the conductive pathway.
3Device complexity
If the vehicle system has no onboard energy storage, then the system is simpler, but the vehicle cannot compensate for power interruptions from the conductive pathway
Solution Approach 1:
The onboard energy storage device serves multiple functions: it provides backup power during conductive pathway interruptions, smooths voltage fluctuations, supports high-power demands, and enables the vehicle to operate in areas with poor conductive pathway coverage. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive power reliability and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the onboard energy storage device based on real-time conditions. It modifies charging/discharging rates, voltage levels, and power distribution according to the state of the conductive pathway and vehicle power demands, optimizing the contribution of onboard storage to maintain operational continuity while managing system complexity.
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
Ensures safe and stable power supply by maintaining consistent energy levels, preventing sudden power fluctuations, and reducing component damage through proactive contamination removal and power management.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring a voltage level of the conductive pathway and identifying a conduction impaired location of the conductive pathway based at least in part on the voltage level of the conductive pathway that is monitored
Implementation Method 2
controlling the collector device or a removal device to remove a contaminant from the conductive pathway at the conduction impaired location
Implementation Method 3
controlling the vehicle system to power the propulsion system using a different energy source than the conductive pathway
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling operation of a vehicle system are provided. This vehicle system can be at least partially powered by electric current conducted to a collector device of the vehicle system from a conductive pathway extending along a route traveled by the vehicle system. A voltage level of the conductive pathway may be monitored, and a conduction impaired location of the conductive pathway may be identified based at least in part on the voltage level of the conductive pathway that is monitored. The collector device or a removal device may be controlled to remove a contaminant from the conductive pathway at the conduction impaired location, the vehicle system may be controlled to compensate for the conduction impaired location, and/or an off-board facility and/or another vehicle system may be notified of the conduction impaired location responsive to identifying the conduction impaired location.