EPE Association: EPE 1993 - 09 - Lecture Session L3c: DRIVES: TRACTION DRIVES

EPE 1993 - 09 - Lecture Session L3c: DRIVES: TRACTION DRIVES
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   ADVANCED INVERTER DRIVES FOR TRACTION
By J.A. Taufiq [View]
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Abstract: This paper describes the traction propulsion inverters as used in two important applications of such drives in the UK. The drives for the Networker EMU and Eurostar power car supplied by GEC ALSTHOM Traction are detailed. The difference in technology for these two inverters which operate at power levels of 350kV A and 1MW A is emphasised. By comparing the snubber and device losses for these and a higher powered inverter rated at 2.5 MV A, the benefits of low loss and energy recovery snubber designs for high powered traction inverters are explained. The paper also explains how the choice of PWM waveforms can greatly affect the peak device current, thus affecting the maximum junction temperature of the GTOs used. Improvements that can be made in this area are described, including the smooth transition to quasi-square wave operation. Finally, harmonic results from a typical traction inverter are presented, showing how such inverters can be designed to comply with strict signalling specifications.

   POWER CONVERTERS WITH IGBTs FOR THE NEW LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE FOR THE CITY OF FRANKFURT
By Alois Weschta [View]
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Abstract: The transport authority of the City of Frankfurt (Germany) ordered twenty light rail vehicles with completely new traction equipment. The cars are driven by eight asynchronous motors which are mounted in the wheel hubs. These motors are fed by four pulse-width modulated (PWM) voltage-source inverters which are equipped with insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT). The maximum blocking voltage of these devices is 1200 V. For this reason, the maximum DC link voltage is limited to 750 V. The PWM inverters are connected to the line via input choppers with IGBTs to suit the high line voltage of 750 V DC + 20 % - 30 %. The system can be operated in regenerative braking mode. There are also braking choppers in order to enable rheostatic braking of the vehicle. The complete power electronics is mounted in two containers at the roof of the vehicle. The power semiconductors are cooled by normal water. The aim of this paper is to describe some details of the power electronics and the control strategy of the light rail vehicle for Frankfurt. Further, some interesting hardware aspects are given, especially the advantages of the technology used. This IGBT technology marks a new trend in the field of traction converters for light rail vehicles.

   A POWER FACTOR AND HARMONIC COMPARISON OF AC RAILWAY POWER ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONVERTER CIRCUITS
By S. Burdett; J. Allan; B. Mellitt; J.A. Taufiq [View]
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Abstract: Power factor and harmonics are increasingly important issues for Railway Authorities. This paper presents a comparison by digital computer simulation of the power factor and harmonic performance of four converter circuits, under various supply and load conditions. Of these circuits, the pulse converter is shown to require a relatively small power filter, while delivering almost unity power factor across the load and supply variation ranges. These advantages and its inherent regenerative capability have led to it superseding today's most common traction converter topology, half controlled converters (HCCs) with tuned filters, in the world's latest high-technology rolling stock. The performance of the HCCs is shown, however, to be a viable low-technology option. The paper also contains results of detailed analytical and simulation based investigations of the three level pulse converter, which show that it is an appropriate topology for implementing a harmonic optimised PWM strategy, producing only 50% of the psophometric current of an equivalent natural sampled PWM strategy.

   3 MW CONVERTER FOR HIGH POWER UNIVERSAL LOCOMOTIVE BASED ON A DEIONIZED WATER COOLED GTO MODULE: IMPROVEMENTS AND TYPE TESTS
By G. Bocchetti; P. Bordignon; M. Perna; P. Venanzio [View]
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Abstract: In this paper will be described the characteristics and the design criteria of a inverter based on a new deionized water cooled GTO module for a 6 MW high power universal locomotive. This module allows the use of the largest power components available on the market and the construction of compact high power converters. As a consequence of the use of deionized water as a cooling medium, the most important features of the converter physical design are insulation and the corrosion phenomena. In particular will be described the corrosion and conductivity tests carried out for more than one year on a prototype of converter module.

EPE 1993 - 09 - Lecture Session L3c: DRIVES: TRACTION DRIVES
You are here: EPE Documents > 01 - EPE & EPE ECCE Conference Proceedings > EPE 1993 - Conference > EPE 1993 - 09 - Lecture Session L3c: DRIVES: TRACTION DRIVES
	[return to parent folder]

	ADVANCED INVERTER DRIVES FOR TRACTION By J.A. Taufiq	[View] [Download]
Abstract: This paper describes the traction propulsion inverters as used in two important applications of such drives in the UK. The drives for the Networker EMU and Eurostar power car supplied by GEC ALSTHOM Traction are detailed. The difference in technology for these two inverters which operate at power levels of 350kV A and 1MW A is emphasised. By comparing the snubber and device losses for these and a higher powered inverter rated at 2.5 MV A, the benefits of low loss and energy recovery snubber designs for high powered traction inverters are explained. The paper also explains how the choice of PWM waveforms can greatly affect the peak device current, thus affecting the maximum junction temperature of the GTOs used. Improvements that can be made in this area are described, including the smooth transition to quasi-square wave operation. Finally, harmonic results from a typical traction inverter are presented, showing how such inverters can be designed to comply with strict signalling specifications.

	POWER CONVERTERS WITH IGBTs FOR THE NEW LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE FOR THE CITY OF FRANKFURT By Alois Weschta	[View] [Download]
Abstract: The transport authority of the City of Frankfurt (Germany) ordered twenty light rail vehicles with completely new traction equipment. The cars are driven by eight asynchronous motors which are mounted in the wheel hubs. These motors are fed by four pulse-width modulated (PWM) voltage-source inverters which are equipped with insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT). The maximum blocking voltage of these devices is 1200 V. For this reason, the maximum DC link voltage is limited to 750 V. The PWM inverters are connected to the line via input choppers with IGBTs to suit the high line voltage of 750 V DC + 20 % - 30 %. The system can be operated in regenerative braking mode. There are also braking choppers in order to enable rheostatic braking of the vehicle. The complete power electronics is mounted in two containers at the roof of the vehicle. The power semiconductors are cooled by normal water. The aim of this paper is to describe some details of the power electronics and the control strategy of the light rail vehicle for Frankfurt. Further, some interesting hardware aspects are given, especially the advantages of the technology used. This IGBT technology marks a new trend in the field of traction converters for light rail vehicles.

	A POWER FACTOR AND HARMONIC COMPARISON OF AC RAILWAY POWER ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONVERTER CIRCUITS By S. Burdett; J. Allan; B. Mellitt; J.A. Taufiq	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Power factor and harmonics are increasingly important issues for Railway Authorities. This paper presents a comparison by digital computer simulation of the power factor and harmonic performance of four converter circuits, under various supply and load conditions. Of these circuits, the pulse converter is shown to require a relatively small power filter, while delivering almost unity power factor across the load and supply variation ranges. These advantages and its inherent regenerative capability have led to it superseding today's most common traction converter topology, half controlled converters (HCCs) with tuned filters, in the world's latest high-technology rolling stock. The performance of the HCCs is shown, however, to be a viable low-technology option. The paper also contains results of detailed analytical and simulation based investigations of the three level pulse converter, which show that it is an appropriate topology for implementing a harmonic optimised PWM strategy, producing only 50% of the psophometric current of an equivalent natural sampled PWM strategy.

	3 MW CONVERTER FOR HIGH POWER UNIVERSAL LOCOMOTIVE BASED ON A DEIONIZED WATER COOLED GTO MODULE: IMPROVEMENTS AND TYPE TESTS By G. Bocchetti; P. Bordignon; M. Perna; P. Venanzio	[View] [Download]
Abstract: In this paper will be described the characteristics and the design criteria of a inverter based on a new deionized water cooled GTO module for a 6 MW high power universal locomotive. This module allows the use of the largest power components available on the market and the construction of compact high power converters. As a consequence of the use of deionized water as a cooling medium, the most important features of the converter physical design are insulation and the corrosion phenomena. In particular will be described the corrosion and conductivity tests carried out for more than one year on a prototype of converter module.