Theoretical Study of Potential Manufacturing Insulation Defects in Medium–Voltage Traction Motors

Medium-voltage motors dedicated to the applications of traction operate in an environment with strong multi-physics constraints. Electrical insulation of these engines is a complex multi-layered impregnated system which requires a given number of steps during the manufacturing process. In the present study, we theoretically investigated the potential manufacturing insulation defects of traction motors in low frequency domain. The aim is to assess the theoretical ability of dielectric spectroscopy method for the detection of these defects and the extension of the method to others insulation systems. The theoretical study is based on numerical modelling and simulation achieved by using Comsol Multiphysics software. In our numerical modelling the properties of the main dielectric elementary materials are frequency–dependent. The identification of each potential defect is carried out by comparing its equivalent capacitance and dissipation loss spectra with the characteristics of insulation without defect. As the results, all artificial defects are identifiable with a specific relative deviation. The detection of all the defects analysed will need a measuring device with resolution of 0.4%. Keywords—AC electric motors, Capacitance, dielectric, dissipation factor, composite insulation, numerical modelling.

A Design Technique of Traction Motor for Efficiency Improvement Based on Multiobjective Optimization

With the increasing demand of driving range of new energy vehicle (NEV), design optimization for energy efficiency of traction motors became more important. However, traction motor design is complex since multiple objectives should be satisfied, such as the required torque-speed operating range and package and thermal constraints. This dramatically increases the computation time of the design optimization process, while the additional energy efficiency objective of the whole driving cycle. This paper proposes an equivalent driving cycle points extraction method, based on energy consumption equivalence to facilitate the design optimization of traction motors. This paper presents necessary rules of multiobjective optimization methods, and then gives an optimization process and proves the effectiveness.

SEARCH FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THE TRACTION PROPERTIES OF LOCOMOTIVES AND TRACTION DRIVE DESIGN

The work objective is to increase the traction properties of locomotives without the use of traction drives with asynchronous traction motors and pulse width modulation. Research methods: methods of physical and field experiments, analytical methods for calculating the dynamics of the rolling stock. Conclusion: based on the conducted research, it is proposed to perform a promising diesel locomotive in the form of two sections on three two-axle bogies and a booster on two two-axle bogies, as well as to carry out experimental design work to develop an arc-type stator asynchronous motor and traction drives of a diesel locomotive using it.

Fluxgate Sensors for Onboard Weighing Systems of Heavy-Duty Dump Trucks

The article reviews the results of the authors’ research on the possibility of using the magnetic field strength generated by DC traction motors as a useful signal carrying information about weight of cargo transported by a mining dump truck.The objective of the research was to find a way to determine weight of cargo carried by a mining dump truck. In contrast to the existing onboard weighing systems, it becomes possible to create a compact autonomous device that does not require integration of sensors into the body structure and electrical circuits of the truck.Problems of increasing the efficiency of measuring devices based on fluxgate converters are considered with the view of using them as onboard systems for estimating cargo weight. The sensitivity of the fluxgate sensor can be increased by increasing both the amplitude and the effective value of the voltage applied to its excitation winding. The proposed original circuit for feeding the fluxgate sensor’s excitation winding from a modulated signal generator made on logical elements allows increasing the voltage supplied to the fluxgate sensor’s excitation winding without increasing the supply voltage, and by increasing voltage surges at the fronts of rectangular modulated high-frequency pulses, as well as due to resonant phenomena. The use of such a generator excludes the influence of the fluxgate sensor’s excitation winding on the generator frequency, since the frequency of modulating signals becomes the operating frequency of the fluxgate sensor, and it remains unchanged. The increased sensitivity makes it possible to install the sensor in any convenient place in the dump truck cab, and not in the immediate vicinity of traction motors.Evaluation of cargo weight is carried out during movement of the dump truck along the control section of the road. The readings are taken from an ammeter (milliammeter), the scale of which is pre-calibrated in mass units. Measurements of mass should be carried out under the same modes of dump truck movement and with the same location of the fluxgate sensor as when calibrating the scale of the measuring device. The control section of the route on which the measurements are carried out must be the same or similar to the one on which the measuring device was calibrated.The proposed device is distinguished by ease of use, is characterised by low energy consumption, is compact, does not contain expensive elements and does not require careful maintenance.

Results of performance tests of an experimental class H insulation system for locomotive traction motors and its monitoring using the mobile diagnostics means

Objective: To perform traction electric motor performance tests with an experimental class H heat resistance insulation system. Methods: An experimental set of traction electric motors was manufactured at the Voronezh Diesel Locomotive Repair Plant to be compared with a motor of class F insulation. Results: The performance indicators of controlled locomotives have been summarized. Explanations and definition of additional insulation parameters and an example of their use in case of traction electric motor failure due to damage to controlled locomotives have been given. Practical importance: The proposed methodology for predictive diagnostics of traction electric motors performance can be used in service locomotive depots.

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

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.

Locomotive asynchronous traction motor rolling bearing fault detection based on current intelligent methods

The paper is devoted to current issues of locomotive asynchronous traction motor (ATEM) fault detection using neural networks. Developed sophisticated intelligent methods for monitoring and inspecting the technical condition of ATE bearings. Current absorption spectra are analysed to assess the technical condition of the induction bearing units. The mechanical vibration frequencies of a squirrel cage induction motor are presented. The method of artificial neural networks which are universal approximators and can effectively and efficiently solve problems of monitoring and diagnostics of technical condition of locomotive induction traction motors is applied. A neural network model and framework for monitoring the technical condition of ATED bearings has been developed. They are based on rules and user-provided facts to recognise the situation, make a diagnosis, formulate a solution or make a recommendation. The main failures of the bearing units of squirrel cage ATED are analysed. A methodology has been developed to build a neural network model of the ATED. The structure and architecture of the artificial neural network is defined. An experimental research has been conducted. The results enable the determination of bearing faults in asynchronous traction motors with squirrel cage rotor.

Power supply for a CIP position for bearings

Objective: Two possible options for power sources are considered: a controlled three-phase bridge rectifi er circuit with a step-down transformer and a pulse converter receiving power from the network through an uncontrolled three-phase bridge rectifi er to drive the wheel-motor units of electric locomotives and electric trains into rotation with the required frequency at the position of CIP bearing diagnostics. In both cases, it is assumed that the power supplies receive electricity from the 380/220 V, 50 Hz network. The power source is loaded with traction motors of the ER2R, ER2T, ET2, ET2M electric trains and the VL-10 electric locomotive. Methods: Mathematical modeling is used in the MatLab/Simulink environment for analytical calculations. Results: The currents and voltages of the load were determined, based on the calculations, the control angles and power factors of the rectifi er with a step-down transformer, the duty cycle of the pulse converter. Practical importance: A variant of an energy-effi cient power supply is proposed, including an uncontrolled rectifi er and a pulse converter.