Abstract
Conventional contact-based train power transfer systems have high maintenance costs and safety issues and cause noise and additional aerodynamic drag. Instead of the conventional system, a loosely coupled online wireless power transfer (WPT) system for a train is proposed in this paper. The operating frequency of the proposed design is 60 kHz to ensure a low flux density and a high-efficiency system with a large air gap. In addition, a new transmitter track and pick-up geometry for 60 kHz operation are designed using finite element analysis (FEA). The proposed design is evaluated theoretically and experimentally. By using the simulated results, a new 180 kW, 15 m test-bed for a tram is constructed. The total power transfer efficiency is greater than 85% at the rated output power, and the loss distribution in the system is identified. Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation and the voltage induction at the rail are measured for safety evaluation. The measured EMF satisfied international guidelines.
Highlights
Since the 1970s, most urban rail systems have been powered by overhead wires and onboard pantographs
The overhead wire was a key enabling technology for electric trains. This conventional contact-based power supply system caused several issues: firstly, the mechanical wear of the overhead wires and pantographs required their periodical replacement, which results in high maintenance costs
Overhead lines have been used for decades as power supplies for electric trains; overhead lines have high maintenance costs and safety issues, and cause noise and aerodynamic overhead lines have high maintenance costs and safety issues, and cause noise and aerodynamic drag
Summary
Since the 1970s, most urban rail systems have been powered by overhead wires (or 3rd rails) and onboard pantographs. The overhead wire was a key enabling technology for electric trains. This conventional contact-based power supply system caused several issues: firstly, the mechanical wear of the overhead wires and pantographs required their periodical replacement, which results in high maintenance costs. Pantographs cause additional energy losses and noise problems because of their aerodynamic resistance (8% loss and they are the dominant noise source according to [1,2,3]). This is an important issue for high-speed trains because the aerodynamic losses are proportional to the square of the speed.
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