Comparative research of electrical energy transformation processes in locomotive traction drives with asynchronous motors and series-wound brushed DC motors

Abstract

An estimate of the Russian railways expenses level for the purchase of fuel and energy resources is given. It is shown the costs for the purchase of electric energy for train traction account for more than half of the total costs. In this regard, the problem of increasing the traction rolling stock energy efficiency seems certainly relevant. The diagram of voltage and current measurements at the primary winding of the AC cargo electric locomotive transformer is given. The experimental data processing algorithm is proposed. A comparative analysis of the results obtained for electric locomotives with series-wound brushed DC motors (throughout what follows will be denoted as BTMs) and asynchronous traction motors (will be denoted as ATMs) showed that the power factor of the asynchronous drive is higher: 0.99, compared to 0.65 for the drive with BTMs; and the coefficient of nonlinear current distortions is only 0.15, compared to 0.53 for the BTMs. The conclusion is made about higher efficiency of electric energy conversion process in asynchronous traction drive in trust mode.