Wireless Energy Receiver Loop Rectification for Railway Balises
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing devices for wireless electric energy transfer in railway balises face challenges in efficiently charging capacitors within the limited contact time due to high train speeds, leading to constraints on balise size and train speed limitations.
Innovation Solution
The device connects a rectifying member, such as a diode, directly into the receiver loop with opposite poles at one location and includes tuning capacitance at a second location, replacing the diode bridge to enhance charging efficiency and balance, allowing current to flow only in one direction and maintaining balance against stray capacitances, with optional configurations of multiple receiver loops and capacitor interconnections for improved energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a bridge of diodes is used to rectify the induced current, then the current can be directed to charge the capacitor, but the charging time is extended due to the complexity of the rectification circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bridge of diodes (complex rectification circuit) from the receiver loop, replacing it with a single rectifying diode connected directly to the capacitor. This extraction eliminates the time-consuming complex rectification process while maintaining the essential function of directing current to charge the capacitor, thereby reducing charging time without compromising the rectification function.
2Speed
If the contact time between train and balise is reduced due to higher speeds, then train speed can be increased, but the capacitor charging time becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous and efficient energy transfer by directly connecting the rectifying diode to the capacitor, eliminating interruptions caused by complex circuit switching. This continuous action allows the capacitor to charge as efficiently as possible during the brief contact time, enabling higher train speeds while maintaining sufficient charging time for the capacitor to reach the required voltage level for transmitter operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the balise size is reduced, then track space utilization improves, but the energy transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rectifying diode and tuning capacitance directly into the receiver loop circuit, eliminating the need for separate complex rectification and tuning circuits. This integration maintains energy transfer efficiency by reducing circuit losses and parasitic elements, while the compact integrated design allows the balise to be made smaller without sacrificing energy transfer efficiency.
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 configuration reduces charging time, allows higher train speeds, and enhances energy transfer efficiency by maintaining balance and reducing harmonic interference, enabling smaller balises with consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
electric energy to be transferred from a source of alternating current by electromagnetic coupling through a conducting transmitter loop connected to this source, said device comprising at least one conducting receiver loop configured to receive electric energy from a said source in the form of current induced therein through electromagnetic coupling
Implementation Method 2
a capacitance connected to the receiver loop to tune this to a determined frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for wirelessly receiving electric energy to be transferred from a source (2) of alternating current by electromagnetic coupling through a conducting transmitter loop (3) has a conducting receiver loop (4) in which a current is induced and a capacitor (5) connected into the receiver loop and charged with electric energy through the current induced in the receiver loop. A rectifying member (10) is connected into the receiver loop at a second location (11) spaced with respect to a first location (8) for connection of the capacitor and configured to allow a rectified portion of the current induced in the receiver loop to only flow in one direction therethrough.