Hybrid Train Research Articles

Hybrid Fuel Cell/Battery Rail Car: A Feasibility Study

This paper introduces a novel engineering feasibility study for developing a future hybrid metro system, for the first time in Canada, that is of extremely low cost and independent of the utility grid. This system will eliminate the need of the rail cars to rely on the track substations and consequently the utility grid. This paper is based on the load profiles provided by Bombardier Transportation for its advanced rapid transit train running in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Simulation was performed for propulsion with and without auxiliary power with the assumption of an average power of 40 kW. To size the system for the worst case scenario, the regeneration power will not be taken into account in case the propulsion cuts off during regenerative braking. The subsystem modules described in the model are listed for reference purposes. The hydrogen consumption and storage are also calculated for each case with the tank options listed for each energy storage option. Furthermore, an analysis platform is being provided for a sound design of a hybrid metro car for the first time in North America. This systematic modular approach can be easily applied to any transit system worldwide. A successful design for a fuel cell hybrid train is given, which is fully independent on the electricity from the grid. The elimination of the wayside substations system, which is 90% of the cost of the transit system, presents huge initial and running cost savings and makes the rail car ridership very inexpensive.

여객-화물 복합열차의 화물 배치방법에 관한 연구

Three baggage allocation methods of passenger-baggage hybrid train in restricted railway transportation capacity including round conveyor system, vertical circulation system, and horizontal circulation system are presented. Loading/Unloading time is calculated based on the volume transported from Busan to Seoul via Daegu, Daejeon, and Osong with the parcel company P's logistics data. The horizontal circulation system shows less baggage volume capacity to be allocated and the maximum loading/unloading time with 434 secs. The vertical circulation system presents more loading time, but it shows best result with 408 secs. Loading/Unloading times are compared for each system and useful method is presented to improve transportation efficiency of the train.

Calculating the Exploitation Costs of Trains in the Spanish Railways

The Spanish railway network has two different track gauges, two electrification systems, and four families of signaling systems--and the rolling stock includes hybrid trains. The new, extended package presented here finds the timings and best route for any piece of rolling stock and computes its consumption, emissions, and exploitation costs.

Configuration of Contactless Power Supply Coils for Railways

This article examines the application of a contactless power supply system to battery-run or hybrid trains. The potential advantages of this system include low noise emittance, maintenance-free features, and the elimination of electric shocks or leaks. The system's disadvantages include a reduction in energy supply efficiency as a result of energy transmission through space, as well as increased equipment costs. This report addresses efforts to overcome the system's challenges with the use of coil configurations.

A Proposal for an Active Cord-Like Searching System

This research aims to develop a mobile system with long-thinned cord-like structure for searching and inspection tasks in confined deep space. The system is designed to provide certain mobility capability, localization ability, and flexibility in system composition to adapt to the searching environments. A simple new Active Joint Mechanism is introduced to meet long-thinned cord-like requirements, with its complete kinematic analysis provided. Active- and passive-segmentalization and hybrid train structure for the system are proposed to enable the adjustment of mobility capability, internal sensor based localization ability, and variable-length composition of the system. A realization on a prototype system with a multimodal searching sensor mounted, communication networks for motion control and sensor information embedded, and user interface provided, is presented.

Train Set Motion Analysis in Large Displacement in Consideration of Plastic Deformation of a Coupler

Recently, many researches about vehicle dynamics analysis under unusual condition like derailment and impact to an obstacle are increasing. In this paper, the behavior of train buckling when large coupler force, large displacement and plastic deformation of a coupler occur is clarified. First, in order to analyze the behavior of the coupler in large displacement, the model by finite element method (FEM) is built and analysis is conducted. Farther, impact test using real coupler to validate FEM model is conducted. Next, the hybrid train set model consisted of the FEM coupler model and a multi body dynamics (MBD) car model is build. This hybrid model constructed focusing to that coupler is connected to the car body only by contact and independent structurally. Finally, the theoretic buckling model in consideration of dynamics is shown. Using the theoretic model and the hybrid model, effects of dynamics and initial condition is verified in detail.

Hybrid Train Power with Diesel Locomotive and Slug Car–Based Flywheels for NOx and Fuel Reduction

AbstractAn energy-storage flywheel consists of a large inertia wheel sharing a common shaft with a motor generator (MG) set and with magnetic bearings to support the entire rotating assembly. Flywheels mounted on a special slug car are charged from the local utility grid and from regenerative-braking events. Usage of these power sources reduces fuel consumption and the related NOx emission by the locomotive-mounted Diesel generator sets (DGS). The flywheel-supplied power can replace the DGS-supplied power in one or more of the eight fixed power settings (notches), plus idle and reverse, which are common to most locomotives either for line-haul or switchyard service. The slug cars have separate traction motors to be driven by the flywheel systems so that the flywheel power and DGS power are electrically and physically decoupled. A system model is presented that includes the train dynamics coupled with the electromechanical models for the flywheels and traction motors. The modified Davis equation is employe...

An efficient design method for multi-material bolted joints used in the railway industry

A methodology to design and analyze multi-material bolted joints in hybrid train structures is presented. This methodology enables the prediction of the response of a multi-material bolted joint in a short amount of time and it is suitable to be used for large structures, where the number of bolts can be very high. The method developed is applied to a real industrial case which consists on the connection between the roof and the side of a carbody shell train structure. Experimental tests are performed on a full-size sub-component. The comparison between the experimental data and the numerical results confirms the accuracy of the method.

Predictability and forecasting automotive price based on a hybrid train algorithm of MLP neural network

In this paper, using the Hurst exponent value H, we first show that the automotive price in Iran Khodro Company (IRAN) is predictable and therefore a good forecasting can be done using neural networks. We then introduce a new global and fast hybrid multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP-NN) in order to forecast the automotive price. In our new framework, we hybridize the genetic algorithm (GA) and least square (LS) method in order to train the connected weights of the network, which leads us to have a global and fast network. To do so, the connected weights between input and hidden layers are trained by GA and the connected weights between the hidden and output layers are trained by LS method. We finally apply our new MLP-NN to forecast the automotive price in Iran Khodro Company, which is the biggest automotive manufacturing in IRAN. The results are well promising compared with the cases when we apply the GA and LS individually. We also compare the results with the case when we employ the gradient-based optimization techniques such as Levenberg–Marquardt method as well as some heuristic algorithms such as extended tabu search algorithm instead of LS method and hybridization of MLP-LM with GA.

Energy management system in hybrid trains using fuzzy control: a comparative study

In this article a fuzzy logic energy management system, for hybrid light weight trains, is designed and verified. The low axle load, medium-to-low speed, and short stopping distances are from characteristics of light rail vehicles, which make them suitable for implementing hybrid technology, as discussed in this article. In this research work, batteries and flywheels are considered as onboard energy storage devices and a light diesel generator as an onboard energy supply system. Efficient utilization of the mentioned energy sources throughout a cycle of movement from one stopping point to the next and also on the entire route is the aim of the energy management system, investigated in this article. The performance of the fuzzy logic energy management system, is analysed and compared with a standalone diesel and also a hybrid train using a thermostat on/off control strategy.

The Effect of Driving Strategy on Hybrid Regional Diesel Trains

Vehicle braking in non-electrified rail systems wastes energy. This article considers two approaches to reducing braking losses in regional diesel trains: efficient driving strategies and regenerative braking. The interaction of these two approaches is critical in specifying the requirements of a hybrid train and assessing the relative fuel saving. Computational models of conventional and hybrid diesel-hydrodynamic regional trains have been developed using real route data to generate a simple control algorithm and investigate the effect of driving strategy on fuel consumption and journey time. The current modelling predicts fuel savings of up to 40 per cent for the hybrid train when an aggressive control strategy is used. This fuel saving is halved when an efficient driving strategy is employed, which also reduces the required energy storage capacity. The model provides a tool for identifying effective control strategies which should be implemented to reduce fuel consumption for both conventional and hybrid trains.

2108 蓄電池駆動電車システムの開発(OS6 環境負荷低減,オーガナイズド・セッション(OS))

JR East developed a diesel and storage battery hybrid train to decrease negative environmental impact and the operation has been done since 2007. JR East is developing "Catenary and battery powered hybrid train system" as a new system. This document introduces the battery charging facilities, and result of rapid charging test.

Stationary or onboard energy storage systems for energy consumption reduction in a metro network

This article will compare the benefits and constraints of onboard and stationary energy storage systems (ESS) with the aim of reducing the overall energy consumption on a low DC voltage metro network. A dedicated simulation tool that models a metro line with conventional or hybrid trains and stationary supercapacitor (SC)-based ESSs has been developed for this purpose. The model can simulate the energy exchange among simultaneously running vehicles of a conventional metro line and evaluate the effect of a stationary ESS when installed along the line. Different traffic scenarios are considered for the study: high, moderate, and low traffic volume as this element has a strong influence on the energy exchange among the running vehicles and therefore on the energy available for storage in the ESS. This will eventually determine the energy consumption reduction. This simulation tool is used to study the most convenient ESS alternative for the case of a Brussels metro line. When compared with a conventional metro line, the total energy consumption reduction achieved with stationary ESS varies in function of the traffic conditions, ESS size, and ESS distribution along the line. With efficient metro trains, values of energy savings up to 18.7, 25.1, and 36.4 per cent can be obtained at high, moderate, and low traffic volumes, respectively. In contrast, using onboard ESS on every vehicle, the maximum energy savings achieved vary between 27.3 and 36.3 per cent at high and low traffic volumes, respectively. Results show that even though the energy savings achieved are higher with onboard ESS, the amount of SC cells needed is lower when using stationary ESS. However, benefits such as peak power shaving, voltage drop reductions, and reduced line losses are better attained by onboard ESS.

Power Source Status Estimation and Drive Control Method for Autonomous Decentralized Hybrid Train

A hybrid control system has two main functions: power sharing and equipment protection. In this paper, we discuss the design, construction and testing of a drive control method for an autonomous decentralized hybrid train with 100-kW-class fuel cells (FC) and 36-kWh lithium-ion batteries (Li-Batt). The main objectives of this study are to identify the operation status of the power sources on the basis of the input voltage of the traction inverter and to estimate the maximum traction power control basis of the power-source status. The proposed control method is useful in preventing overload operation of the onboard power sources in an autonomous decentralized hybrid system that has a flexible main circuit configuration and a few control signal lines. Further, with this method, the initial cost of a hybrid system can be reduced and the retrofit design of the hybrid system can be simplified. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally confirmed by using a real-scale hybrid train system.

3110 蓄電池駆動電車システムの開発と評価(OS5-4 鉄道の安全・環境技術,OS5 安全・安心・防災・環境負荷低減,オーガナイズド・セッション(OS))

3110 蓄電池駆動電車システムの開発と評価(OS5-4 鉄道の安全・環境技術,OS5 安全・安心・防災・環境負荷低減,オーガナイズド・セッション(OS))

An Innovative Solution for Suburban Railroad Transportation: The Gas Turbine-Hybrid Train

The paper reports the latest results of a study conducted on a hybrid train in which a gas turbine, operating in several alternative control modes (fixed point, on-off or load-following), generates the electrical energy for recharging a battery package and for driving the electric motors of a suburban train. The model, originally developed for automotive applications, has been validated by experimental tests performed on an ELLIOTT TA-45 GT group in the ENEA-Casaccia Research Center. This paper describes the preliminary design of the traction system and the choice of the energy flow control strategy. Numerical simulations have been carried out, based on an actual train mission (the Norwegian railroad track between Asker and Lillehammer) and on industrial data for the single components. Following two different approaches, separate optimizations of the gas turbine set and battery package are performed, in which the objective function is the monetary cost per mission or, which is equivalent, the kWh/(t·km) for a given mission profile.

Recent advances in the multi-stream HMM/ANN hybrid approach to noise robust ASR

In this article we review several successful extensions to the standard hidden-Markov-model/artificial neural network (HMM/ANN) hybrid, which have recently made important contributions to the field of noise robust automatic speech recognition. The first extension to the standard hybrid was the “multi-band hybrid”, in which a separate ANN is trained on each frequency sub-band, followed by some form of weighted combination of ANN state posterior probability outputs prior to decoding. However, due to the inaccurate assumption of sub-band independence, this system usually gives degraded performance, except in the case of narrow-band noise. All of the systems which we review overcome this independence assumption and give improved performance in noise, while also improving or not significantly degrading performance with clean speech. The “all-combinations multi-band” hybrid trains a separate ANN for each sub-band combination. This, however, typically requires a large number of ANNs. The “all-combinations multi-stream” hybrid trains an ANN expert for every combination of just a small number of complementary data streams. Multiple ANN posteriors combination using maximum a-posteriori (MAP) weighting gives rise to the further successful strategy of hypothesis level combination by MAP selection. An alternative strategy for exploiting the classification capacity of ANNs is the “tandem hybrid” approach in which one or more ANN classifiers are trained with multi-condition data to generate discriminative and noise robust features for input to a standard ASR system. The “multi-stream tandem hybrid” trains an ANN for a number of complementary feature streams, permitting multi-stream data fusion. The “narrow-band tandem hybrid” trains an ANN for a number of particularly narrow frequency sub-bands. This gives improved robustness to noises not seen during training. Of the systems presented, all of the multi-stream systems provide generic models for multi-modal data fusion. Test results for each system are presented and discussed.

Hybrid train movement simulation for investigation in energy saving driving strategies

In the paper some details are given about train movement simulation with hybrid computer systems HRA 7200. The user with his practical experience is directly included by dialog in the simulation process. The aim is saving energy. Also at present excellent man-machine-rela tions are the basis for effective systematic experiments on the hybrid computer systems.