EPE Association: EPE 2003 - Topic 11b: Rail Vehicles

EPE 2003 - Topic 11b: Rail Vehicles
You are here: EPE Documents > 01 - EPE & EPE ECCE Conference Proceedings > EPE 2003 - Conference > EPE 2003 - Topic 11: POWER ELECTRONICS AND DRIVES IN SURFACE TRANSPORT > EPE 2003 - Topic 11b: Rail Vehicles

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   Line filter design for transformerless AC traction drives
By S. Dieckerhoff; S. Bernet [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Multilevel converters are a feasible solution to drive future ac rail vehicles operating directly from the 15kV, 16.7Hz mains without a low-frequency line transformer. In today’s vehicles the stray inductance of the transformer plays an important role filtering the harmonics generated by the line converter. In transformerless drive systems the design of the line filter is a critical issue for reasons of size and weight. This paper compares the harmonic spectra of single-phase multilevel converters as the 3-level Neutral Point Clamped and the 3- and 4-level Flying Capacitor converter to the well known 2-level spectrum. It presents a filter design method and gives the required line filter size for a drive system with four cascaded multilevel line converters. The results are compared to today’s transformer and filter.

   Traction converter for multi-system locomotives with 6.5kV IGBT
By H-G. Eckel; M.M. Bakran; O. Budig; K. Fleisch; E. U. Krafft [View]
[Download]

Abstract: The european railways are characterized by a wide range of supply voltage systems. To allow flexible operation of electric locomotives and short stops at system borders, multi-system locomotives are necessary. The paper describes the requirements for multi-system traction converters and compares different solutions. The key device for simple traction converters operating under 3 kV line voltage is the 6.5kV IGBT. The paper explains the behaviour of the field-stop IGBT, especially in comparison with conventional NPT-IGBT.

   Operational influences of an IGBT-converter and the losses of the 1-MVA-High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) - Transformer for rail vehicles
By M. Meinert; A. Binder; M. P. Oomen; M. Leghissa [View]
[Download]

Abstract: The development of the HTS-transformer by Siemens according to specifications of rail vehicles promises a high-efficient drive as has been reported. Investigations on the behavior of this transformer under non-sinusoidal waveforms due to converter operation were done in a system test. Thus the influences on the additional AC losses within the HTS-windings in the transformer can be discussed.

   LCC based evaluation of traction chain systems for multisystem locomotives
By C. Gerster; M. Meyer [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Locomotives for cross-border traffic in Europe operate under up to five different AC and DC power supply systems. Methodology and results for the traction chain topology evaluation used for Bombardier Transportation’s new multi-system locomotives are presented, based on a life cycle cost consideration of manufacturing costs and energy consumption.

   New generation IGBT Four-Quadrant-Converter for multi system rail vehicles using a novel control strategy
By J. van der Weem; H-S. Song; P. Mutschler [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Topic is the presentation of a new generation IGBT Four-Quadrant-Converter for multisystem rail vehicles. The Four-Quadrant-Converter is designed for light rail and mass transit vehicles. These vehicles offer the possibility for a fast, comfortable and effective public transport from the outskirts of cities, where usually heavy rail AC line voltage is existing, into the cities with DC line voltage. The vehicle concept is presented as well as design aspects of the converter are treated. The innovative control method, using least squares estimation approach, provides a fast and robust control and has excellent steady state and dynamic behaviour. The performance is demonstrated by experimental results using prototype converters.

   A new motor- and adhesion control scheme for traction application
By S. Menth; U. Ehrler [View]
[Download]

Abstract: On electric traction vehicles, a number of electrical and mechanical components and controllers must be integrated into a complete propulsion system. The controlled traction motor - i.e. the combination of traction motor, motor inverter and motor controller - plays a key role, as it links the electrical and mechanical sub-systems. Consequently, the controlled motor and therefore the motor control scheme has a significant influence on the complete system‘s dynamic properties such as damping behaviour and stability of electrical and mechanical system parts. The challenging task to design and tune robust controllers motivated the development of an integrated analysis method and led to a new type of motor control algorithm. The paper first describes the main ideas of the analysis method. Then, the method is applied to derive system requirements and to design a new traction motor control method. Finally, practical measurements with the new controller on a high-power locomotive are shown. A good match with the theoretical results and a good controller performance was stated.

   A study for electric double layer capacitor application to railway traction circuits for energy saving
By E. Takahara; J. Yamada [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Applications of the electric double layer capacitors to railway traction circuits are described by experimental results with low power traction model circuits. Voltage unbalances among series connected blocks and cells are practically measured, through hundred cycles of charge and discharge. The results indicate some examples of reasonable voltage detecting and equalizing methods against unbalance of individual cell, assuming normal operational modes of typical commuter trains. Additionally, around 1000V high voltage trial tests by the model circuits with the electric double layer capacitors are also described, and it shows possibility of application to practical traction circuits in near future.

   High dynamic and speed sensorless control of traction drives
By G. Amler; F. Sperr; F. Hoffmann; G. Stanke; M. Weidauer [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Drives for rail vehicles have to be rugged in operation and at the same time fulfill high requirements of performance. SITRAC® - the new drive control presented here offers a substantial improvement in the dynamic torque response and in the compensation of disturbances, especially at low switching frequencies and synchronous pulse patterns. The possibility to operate the drive without speed sensor simplifies the design and increases the reliability of the drive. A brief outlook on various applications will conclude the presentation.

   Development of the multi-voltage locomotive with IGBT 6.5kV
By A. Colasse; A. Dandoy; C. Delecluse; R. Maffei; P. Thomas [View]
[Download]

Abstract: The design and realisation of a multi-voltage locomotive increase the complexity of the electrical equipments and the total weight of the locomotive. This article describes the development and realisation of this type of locomotive with the 6.5 kV IGBT and shows the major original features of the traction drives, auxiliary converters and integration in the locomotive.

   Anti-slip/skid re-adhesion control of electric motor coach based on disturbance observer and sensorless vector conrol
By S. Kadowaki; K. Ohishi; S. Yasukawa; I. Miyashita [View]
[Download]

Abstract: This paper proposes a new anti-slip/skid control system of electric motor coach with regenerative brake by using the tangential force estimator based on disturbance observer. The electric motor coach is driven by the induction motors which is controlled by sensor-less vector control method. This paper also proposes a new slip/skid detection method for the proposed re-adhesion control. The experimental results and numerical simulation results point out that the proposed system has the desired driving wheel torque response, on condition that one PWM inverter drives the two induction motors.

   Press pack IGBT traction converter for locomotives and high speed trains
By B. Cascone; L. Fratelli; G. Giannini; G. Bocchetti [View]
[Download]

Abstract: AnsaldoBreda power converter for locomotives and high speed trains, employing 4.5 kV Press-Pack IEGT/IGBT is presented. Details of electrical and thermal design are reported, as well as a discussion about advantages and drawbacks of IEGT/IGBTs in press-pack capsule and insulated module. Performances of the converter are shown, by means of theoretical calculation and experimental test results. The inverter has been experimented in the field on high speed train ETR500 P, and will be employed on the new 6 MW AnsaldoBreda locomotive E402C, for Italian railways.

   Influence of the mechanical drive concept on the bearing currents in inverter-fed AC traction machines
By M. Brauer; A. Jöckel; G. Gedeon [View]
[Download]

Abstract: The use of modern pulse-width-modulated inverters implies the possibility of causing motor bearing damages due to bearing currents. Nowadays, it is common to reduce bearing currents by using expensive insulated bearings. In order to eventually avoid the bearing insulation, the bearing voltage and current were investigated in case of an axle-hung locomotive drive. The measurements show that some traction drives have a self-grounding effect by the gear unit, thus effectively reducing the bearing voltage, capacitive bearing currents and EDM currents.

   Permanent DC-motor testing platform for full load testing of tractionmotors (back-to-back coupling)
By S. Schalckens [View]
[Download]

Abstract: The paper describes the new testing platform that has been build to perform tests on DC-traction motors under various load conditions (current and speed regulation). The electrical scheme is based on the back-to-back coupling of two identical motors. The motors under test are traction motors of the metro cars of the Brussels Metro (STIB). The testing equipment is now in use since more than two years in the metro workshop at STIB (Bruxelles). In the first part of the paper the general working principles and the possibilities of the testing platform are explained. The second part gives an overview of the results that have been obtained during the last two years.

   The impact of power components reliability on train delay for conventional and innovative AC traction electrical drives
By R. Bozzo; M. Marchesoni; S. Savio [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Traditional heavy ac traction systems use locomotives with bulky onboard transformers, which can be reduced in size if new conversion systems are designed. Assumed as performance indicator the probability to collect a delay during a travel, aim of this paper is to estimate the impact of power components reliability on the stochastic performances of an ac loco non-conventional traction drive, which allows to use a transformer system of greatly reduced size while obtaining excellent technical performances, and to evaluate the effectiveness of such a configuration through a comparison with a conventional architecture.

   Enhanced locomotive drive system behaviour applying a co-operative system control for single voltage source inverter dual induction motor structure
By R. Pena-Eguiluz; M. Pietrzak-David; B. de Fornel [View]
[Download]

Abstract: A mono-inverter dual motor with common mechanical load applied in railway traction is presented in this paper. It is a special multi-converter multi-machine system structure. In traction applications the necessity to provide an excellent torque response is primordial. As a consequence, in order to control both motors torque production of this kind of structures, special methodologies known as co-operative control structures based in the classical Field Oriented Control (FOC) can be applied. Mono-inverter dual induction motor drive system structure enhances the locomotive behaviour, reducing the undesirable effects produced by external or by internal perturbations. The obtained system behaviour is compared with the classical locomotive drive control system operation. A quasi-experimental verification is proposed to validate the system behaviour of the two analysed control methods, considering four characteristic perturbations of this kind of power traction systems.

   Readhesion control of single-inverter-multiple-motor AC traction drive for electric railways by using multirate sampling observer
By L. Kovudhikulrungsri; D. Tateishi; T. Koseki [View]
[Download]

Abstract: This paper proposes an effective way to realize fast readhesion control of single-inverter-multiple motor traction drives. To do this, multirate sampling observers are introduced to all axles in order to estimate precise speed and load torque at every sampling instant. The slip-slide is detected by using the amount of the load torque correction estimated from the multirate sampling observer, which is insensitive to the effect of slope. The performance of the proposed control scheme is verified by comparing with the conventional method.

   Thermal stresses on railways traction inverter IGBT modules: concept, methodology, results on sub-urban mass transit - Application to predictive maintenance
By G. Coquery; M. Piton; R. Lallemand; S. Pagiusco; A. Jeunesse [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Since 1997, most of the new traction converters designed by ALSTOM are based on high voltage-high power IGBT module technology. The first application of high power hybrid module started in France on tramway application in 1995. From 1994, many laboratories focused on reliability and identified failure modes and failure indicators due to thermal cycling generated by the urban traction working conditions. The present paper will describe and discuss, concept and methodology, developed in an experimental program on a sub-urban mass transit train, in order to identify real stress and correlate with standard accelerated tests results. Moreover, by developing measurement methods of parameters identified as failure indicators in laboratory works, during standard reliability test easily applicable in railway workshop, a predictive maintenance approach can be developed.

   On the effects of IGBT drives on traction motor bearings
By G. Giannini; L. Fratelli [View]
[Download]

Abstract: High voltage gradients in IGBT drives interact with stray capacitances of the motor and cause: a) overvoltages which stress insulating materials; b) current pulses in bearing, leading to their early wear-out. In the paper phenomena are observed by measurements in the fields, modeled through an equivalent circuit, and SPICE simulated. Efficient design methods to reduce both phenomena are suggested, and their performance is analysed.

   15 kV/16.7 Hz energy supply system with medium frequency - transformer and 6.5kV IGBTs in resonant operation
By B. Engel; M. Victor; G. Bachmann; A. Falk [View]
[Download]

Abstract: For modern railway vehicle concepts a conventional 15 kV / 16.7 Hz transformer causes integration problems due to its high mass and volume. To reduce the weight by approx. 50 % and the volume by 30 % a new topology was developed using a medium frequency transformer. Connected to the 15 kV / 16.7 Hz line eight cascade modules, consisting each of a four-quadrant converter, a 3.6 kV DC link and a resonant converter, feed the 5 kHz transformer. All switching elements in the cascade mod-ules are advanced 6.5 kV IGBT with new gate drivers. Therefore different short circuit tests were per-formed. On the secondary side a resonant switched four-quadrant converter is feeding in the vehicle 1.65 kV DC link with 2f-filter. The power and control electronic system including the control strategy are described in detail. The first results in 15 kV operation are presented. The mechanical design is based on an innovative glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) case design providing good insulation and low weight. The first application will be the hybrid multiple unit LIREX Experimental (class VT 618/619 of DB Regio).

   Light multi-voltage railway coach / Auxiliary converter with new topology
By J. Weber; A.Berger; A. Falk [View]
[Download]

Abstract: An innovative, soft switching concept for the supply of auxiliary power supply equipment in railway coaches has been developed. The input and output side were electrically separated by a lightweight high frequency transformer instead of a heavy 50 Hz transformer in the three phase output converter. The switching concept can be adjusted to other applications with slight modifications.

EPE 2003 - Topic 11b: Rail Vehicles
You are here: EPE Documents > 01 - EPE & EPE ECCE Conference Proceedings > EPE 2003 - Conference > EPE 2003 - Topic 11: POWER ELECTRONICS AND DRIVES IN SURFACE TRANSPORT > EPE 2003 - Topic 11b: Rail Vehicles
	[return to parent folder]

	Line filter design for transformerless AC traction drives By S. Dieckerhoff; S. Bernet	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Multilevel converters are a feasible solution to drive future ac rail vehicles operating directly from the 15kV, 16.7Hz mains without a low-frequency line transformer. In today’s vehicles the stray inductance of the transformer plays an important role filtering the harmonics generated by the line converter. In transformerless drive systems the design of the line filter is a critical issue for reasons of size and weight. This paper compares the harmonic spectra of single-phase multilevel converters as the 3-level Neutral Point Clamped and the 3- and 4-level Flying Capacitor converter to the well known 2-level spectrum. It presents a filter design method and gives the required line filter size for a drive system with four cascaded multilevel line converters. The results are compared to today’s transformer and filter.

	Traction converter for multi-system locomotives with 6.5kV IGBT By H-G. Eckel; M.M. Bakran; O. Budig; K. Fleisch; E. U. Krafft	[View] [Download]
Abstract: The european railways are characterized by a wide range of supply voltage systems. To allow flexible operation of electric locomotives and short stops at system borders, multi-system locomotives are necessary. The paper describes the requirements for multi-system traction converters and compares different solutions. The key device for simple traction converters operating under 3 kV line voltage is the 6.5kV IGBT. The paper explains the behaviour of the field-stop IGBT, especially in comparison with conventional NPT-IGBT.

	Operational influences of an IGBT-converter and the losses of the 1-MVA-High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) - Transformer for rail vehicles By M. Meinert; A. Binder; M. P. Oomen; M. Leghissa	[View] [Download]
Abstract: The development of the HTS-transformer by Siemens according to specifications of rail vehicles promises a high-efficient drive as has been reported. Investigations on the behavior of this transformer under non-sinusoidal waveforms due to converter operation were done in a system test. Thus the influences on the additional AC losses within the HTS-windings in the transformer can be discussed.

	LCC based evaluation of traction chain systems for multisystem locomotives By C. Gerster; M. Meyer	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Locomotives for cross-border traffic in Europe operate under up to five different AC and DC power supply systems. Methodology and results for the traction chain topology evaluation used for Bombardier Transportation’s new multi-system locomotives are presented, based on a life cycle cost consideration of manufacturing costs and energy consumption.

	New generation IGBT Four-Quadrant-Converter for multi system rail vehicles using a novel control strategy By J. van der Weem; H-S. Song; P. Mutschler	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Topic is the presentation of a new generation IGBT Four-Quadrant-Converter for multisystem rail vehicles. The Four-Quadrant-Converter is designed for light rail and mass transit vehicles. These vehicles offer the possibility for a fast, comfortable and effective public transport from the outskirts of cities, where usually heavy rail AC line voltage is existing, into the cities with DC line voltage. The vehicle concept is presented as well as design aspects of the converter are treated. The innovative control method, using least squares estimation approach, provides a fast and robust control and has excellent steady state and dynamic behaviour. The performance is demonstrated by experimental results using prototype converters.

	A new motor- and adhesion control scheme for traction application By S. Menth; U. Ehrler	[View] [Download]
Abstract: On electric traction vehicles, a number of electrical and mechanical components and controllers must be integrated into a complete propulsion system. The controlled traction motor - i.e. the combination of traction motor, motor inverter and motor controller - plays a key role, as it links the electrical and mechanical sub-systems. Consequently, the controlled motor and therefore the motor control scheme has a significant influence on the complete system‘s dynamic properties such as damping behaviour and stability of electrical and mechanical system parts. The challenging task to design and tune robust controllers motivated the development of an integrated analysis method and led to a new type of motor control algorithm. The paper first describes the main ideas of the analysis method. Then, the method is applied to derive system requirements and to design a new traction motor control method. Finally, practical measurements with the new controller on a high-power locomotive are shown. A good match with the theoretical results and a good controller performance was stated.

	A study for electric double layer capacitor application to railway traction circuits for energy saving By E. Takahara; J. Yamada	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Applications of the electric double layer capacitors to railway traction circuits are described by experimental results with low power traction model circuits. Voltage unbalances among series connected blocks and cells are practically measured, through hundred cycles of charge and discharge. The results indicate some examples of reasonable voltage detecting and equalizing methods against unbalance of individual cell, assuming normal operational modes of typical commuter trains. Additionally, around 1000V high voltage trial tests by the model circuits with the electric double layer capacitors are also described, and it shows possibility of application to practical traction circuits in near future.

	High dynamic and speed sensorless control of traction drives By G. Amler; F. Sperr; F. Hoffmann; G. Stanke; M. Weidauer	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Drives for rail vehicles have to be rugged in operation and at the same time fulfill high requirements of performance. SITRAC® - the new drive control presented here offers a substantial improvement in the dynamic torque response and in the compensation of disturbances, especially at low switching frequencies and synchronous pulse patterns. The possibility to operate the drive without speed sensor simplifies the design and increases the reliability of the drive. A brief outlook on various applications will conclude the presentation.

	Development of the multi-voltage locomotive with IGBT 6.5kV By A. Colasse; A. Dandoy; C. Delecluse; R. Maffei; P. Thomas	[View] [Download]
Abstract: The design and realisation of a multi-voltage locomotive increase the complexity of the electrical equipments and the total weight of the locomotive. This article describes the development and realisation of this type of locomotive with the 6.5 kV IGBT and shows the major original features of the traction drives, auxiliary converters and integration in the locomotive.

	Anti-slip/skid re-adhesion control of electric motor coach based on disturbance observer and sensorless vector conrol By S. Kadowaki; K. Ohishi; S. Yasukawa; I. Miyashita	[View] [Download]
Abstract: This paper proposes a new anti-slip/skid control system of electric motor coach with regenerative brake by using the tangential force estimator based on disturbance observer. The electric motor coach is driven by the induction motors which is controlled by sensor-less vector control method. This paper also proposes a new slip/skid detection method for the proposed re-adhesion control. The experimental results and numerical simulation results point out that the proposed system has the desired driving wheel torque response, on condition that one PWM inverter drives the two induction motors.

	Press pack IGBT traction converter for locomotives and high speed trains By B. Cascone; L. Fratelli; G. Giannini; G. Bocchetti	[View] [Download]
Abstract: AnsaldoBreda power converter for locomotives and high speed trains, employing 4.5 kV Press-Pack IEGT/IGBT is presented. Details of electrical and thermal design are reported, as well as a discussion about advantages and drawbacks of IEGT/IGBTs in press-pack capsule and insulated module. Performances of the converter are shown, by means of theoretical calculation and experimental test results. The inverter has been experimented in the field on high speed train ETR500 P, and will be employed on the new 6 MW AnsaldoBreda locomotive E402C, for Italian railways.

	Influence of the mechanical drive concept on the bearing currents in inverter-fed AC traction machines By M. Brauer; A. Jöckel; G. Gedeon	[View] [Download]
Abstract: The use of modern pulse-width-modulated inverters implies the possibility of causing motor bearing damages due to bearing currents. Nowadays, it is common to reduce bearing currents by using expensive insulated bearings. In order to eventually avoid the bearing insulation, the bearing voltage and current were investigated in case of an axle-hung locomotive drive. The measurements show that some traction drives have a self-grounding effect by the gear unit, thus effectively reducing the bearing voltage, capacitive bearing currents and EDM currents.

	Permanent DC-motor testing platform for full load testing of tractionmotors (back-to-back coupling) By S. Schalckens	[View] [Download]
Abstract: The paper describes the new testing platform that has been build to perform tests on DC-traction motors under various load conditions (current and speed regulation). The electrical scheme is based on the back-to-back coupling of two identical motors. The motors under test are traction motors of the metro cars of the Brussels Metro (STIB). The testing equipment is now in use since more than two years in the metro workshop at STIB (Bruxelles). In the first part of the paper the general working principles and the possibilities of the testing platform are explained. The second part gives an overview of the results that have been obtained during the last two years.

	The impact of power components reliability on train delay for conventional and innovative AC traction electrical drives By R. Bozzo; M. Marchesoni; S. Savio	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Traditional heavy ac traction systems use locomotives with bulky onboard transformers, which can be reduced in size if new conversion systems are designed. Assumed as performance indicator the probability to collect a delay during a travel, aim of this paper is to estimate the impact of power components reliability on the stochastic performances of an ac loco non-conventional traction drive, which allows to use a transformer system of greatly reduced size while obtaining excellent technical performances, and to evaluate the effectiveness of such a configuration through a comparison with a conventional architecture.

	Enhanced locomotive drive system behaviour applying a co-operative system control for single voltage source inverter dual induction motor structure By R. Pena-Eguiluz; M. Pietrzak-David; B. de Fornel	[View] [Download]
Abstract: A mono-inverter dual motor with common mechanical load applied in railway traction is presented in this paper. It is a special multi-converter multi-machine system structure. In traction applications the necessity to provide an excellent torque response is primordial. As a consequence, in order to control both motors torque production of this kind of structures, special methodologies known as co-operative control structures based in the classical Field Oriented Control (FOC) can be applied. Mono-inverter dual induction motor drive system structure enhances the locomotive behaviour, reducing the undesirable effects produced by external or by internal perturbations. The obtained system behaviour is compared with the classical locomotive drive control system operation. A quasi-experimental verification is proposed to validate the system behaviour of the two analysed control methods, considering four characteristic perturbations of this kind of power traction systems.

	Readhesion control of single-inverter-multiple-motor AC traction drive for electric railways by using multirate sampling observer By L. Kovudhikulrungsri; D. Tateishi; T. Koseki	[View] [Download]
Abstract: This paper proposes an effective way to realize fast readhesion control of single-inverter-multiple motor traction drives. To do this, multirate sampling observers are introduced to all axles in order to estimate precise speed and load torque at every sampling instant. The slip-slide is detected by using the amount of the load torque correction estimated from the multirate sampling observer, which is insensitive to the effect of slope. The performance of the proposed control scheme is verified by comparing with the conventional method.

	Thermal stresses on railways traction inverter IGBT modules: concept, methodology, results on sub-urban mass transit - Application to predictive maintenance By G. Coquery; M. Piton; R. Lallemand; S. Pagiusco; A. Jeunesse	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Since 1997, most of the new traction converters designed by ALSTOM are based on high voltage-high power IGBT module technology. The first application of high power hybrid module started in France on tramway application in 1995. From 1994, many laboratories focused on reliability and identified failure modes and failure indicators due to thermal cycling generated by the urban traction working conditions. The present paper will describe and discuss, concept and methodology, developed in an experimental program on a sub-urban mass transit train, in order to identify real stress and correlate with standard accelerated tests results. Moreover, by developing measurement methods of parameters identified as failure indicators in laboratory works, during standard reliability test easily applicable in railway workshop, a predictive maintenance approach can be developed.

	On the effects of IGBT drives on traction motor bearings By G. Giannini; L. Fratelli	[View] [Download]
Abstract: High voltage gradients in IGBT drives interact with stray capacitances of the motor and cause: a) overvoltages which stress insulating materials; b) current pulses in bearing, leading to their early wear-out. In the paper phenomena are observed by measurements in the fields, modeled through an equivalent circuit, and SPICE simulated. Efficient design methods to reduce both phenomena are suggested, and their performance is analysed.

	15 kV/16.7 Hz energy supply system with medium frequency - transformer and 6.5kV IGBTs in resonant operation By B. Engel; M. Victor; G. Bachmann; A. Falk	[View] [Download]
Abstract: For modern railway vehicle concepts a conventional 15 kV / 16.7 Hz transformer causes integration problems due to its high mass and volume. To reduce the weight by approx. 50 % and the volume by 30 % a new topology was developed using a medium frequency transformer. Connected to the 15 kV / 16.7 Hz line eight cascade modules, consisting each of a four-quadrant converter, a 3.6 kV DC link and a resonant converter, feed the 5 kHz transformer. All switching elements in the cascade mod-ules are advanced 6.5 kV IGBT with new gate drivers. Therefore different short circuit tests were per-formed. On the secondary side a resonant switched four-quadrant converter is feeding in the vehicle 1.65 kV DC link with 2f-filter. The power and control electronic system including the control strategy are described in detail. The first results in 15 kV operation are presented. The mechanical design is based on an innovative glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) case design providing good insulation and low weight. The first application will be the hybrid multiple unit LIREX Experimental (class VT 618/619 of DB Regio).

	Light multi-voltage railway coach / Auxiliary converter with new topology By J. Weber; A.Berger; A. Falk	[View] [Download]
Abstract: An innovative, soft switching concept for the supply of auxiliary power supply equipment in railway coaches has been developed. The input and output side were electrically separated by a lightweight high frequency transformer instead of a heavy 50 Hz transformer in the three phase output converter. The switching concept can be adjusted to other applications with slight modifications.