CA3042261A1

CA3042261A1 - Electronic current collector for vehicles

Info

Publication number: CA3042261A1
Application number: CA3042261A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Akhilesh Prasad SINGH
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-11-04
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2017-05-11
Also published as: WO2017077370A1

Abstract

The present invention describes a current collector system (100) for a vehicle comprising a single-arm non-conductive pantograph (305) with insulating base on top, for collecting current from plurality of overhead power supply lines (200). The pantograph comprises plurality of carbon shoes (104) segmented in saw-tooth shape, mounted on top of said insulating base. The carbon shoes (104) are fixed with plurality of insulation gaps (103). The present invention further comprises control and monitoring system, using power supply management system with on-board researchable backup system operate using pair of overhead line of 600 V 1kV AC or DC supply or three wires for 600 V to 1 kV 3 phase AC supply.

Description

ELECTRONIC CURRENT COLLECTOR FOR VEHICLES
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to current collectors in transport systems, particularly to a current-collector system that collects electric current from overhead power supply lines in vehicles such as but not limited to electrically-propelled vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel based vehicles, on and off-track vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Industrialization and urbanization have created great demand of transportation particularly in cities. Non-availability of proper public transportation have increased the use of fuel based vehicles. Emissions from fuel based vehicles are major contributors in air pollution.

[0003] Electricity based transport system is a well-known setup to zero emissions on spot, reduced air/noise pollution, fuel crisis, greenhouse gases/global warming with efficient/cost effective means, in which transport vehicles are operated by electric motor energized by many techniques like trolley poles or pantographs that receive power from single overhead line in railways/trams/metro trains/LRT/street cars etc.

[0004] Conventionally, the rubber tyre wheeled modern electric trolley buses (ETBs) are powered by pair of overhead 750 V DC supply line via two conducting pole adaptors mounted on top of ETBs. The two ropes are attached to both conducting poles at back side of ETBs to pull down or guide pole adaptors to connect overhead lines. The connectivity to overhead lines by pole adaptors are carried out manually in rest position of ETBs while semi-automatic /manual disconnection by drop down/ pulling back the pole adaptors using ropes is managed in moving positions without power supply. Once pole adaptors are disconnected, ETBs must .. be stopped to reconnect to overhead lines using ropes attached in manual mode blocking the lane for traffic till proper connectivity.

[0005] Further de-wirement of conducting poles causes short circuit of overhead supply line and damages supply resources or ETBs setup. Such a supply system creates constraints in overtaking, bypassing, lane changing, left-right-circular turnings, maneuvering, side lane stoppage, sticking to overhead supply line, de-wirement problem, specified laying of overhead supply line etc. Primitive look of hanging ropes, its manual operation and operational restrictions have sidelined public interest for expansion.

[0006] Most of track-based transportation are electrified using pantograph that collects electric current from overhead lines in railways/trams/metro trains/
LRT/street cars etc. Few road transport setups use electricity from different sources like on-board storage batteries/ultra-capacitors/fuel cell/ hybrid/ overhead power supply lines using a pantograph with two isolated conductors for DC/ single phase AC, 3 to 4 isolated conductors for 3 phase AC, guided pantographs are used to provide operational flexibility.

[0007] Pantographs may either have a single or a double arm. Double arm pantographs are usually heavier and require more power.

[0008] EP 0042690 B1 discloses current collection apparatus 10 for a vehicle with a pantograph, e.g. a trolley bus, is energised by a supply system having over-head current conductors (21-22 or 21-23) carrying current of different energising characteristics (P1, P2 or 0, 02, 03) plus an auxiliary conductor (23 or 24) routed along a vehicle route and is provided with a current collection bar (30) having a number of current collection segments (31 to 33 or 34) electrically insulated from each other and engageable with the overhead conductors without any one segment bridging or short circuiting the overhead conductors.
.. The number of segments is at least equal to the number of overhead conductors including the auxiliary conductor. Bus bars (41, 42) carried on the vehicle are connected to the segments through unidirectional current conducting devices (D1, D2) so as always to receive current of a given polarity (P1, P2) regardless of the energising characteristics of the current (e.g. direct current P 1 , P2, single phase alternating current 0, 02 or three phase, delta alternating current 0, 02, 03) supplied to the overhead conductors. The arrangement affords at all times a current path between each bus bar and a current conductor so that the vehicle can change paths without lateral displacement of the current collection bar relative to the vehicle.

[0009] The drawbacks of the prior art are that the width of collector seems to be less as compared to overhead wires. Thin contact for heavy current may cause arc damaging overhead wires as well as collector element. Thus, damaged collector element may create problem in lateral movement of the vehicle.

[0010] Auxiliary conductor is used in addition to pair of overhead line or three lines for 3 phase AC covering 3/4 part of two lanes but proper overtaking is not possible till drop of pantograph as vehicle (ETB) is using pair of lines ahead. This is only to expand net over road.

[0011] Further, maintaining auxiliary conductor with spacing from remote opposite conductor at not less than 86.66% of conductor bar i.e. for 10' conductor bar, auxiliary conductor must be placed more than 8.66' to 10' at same height which is very costly to install and maintain, particularly in two road lanes for single conductor bar.

[0012] Additionally, single rectangular shape gap is considered in one case less than wire width and modified case more than width of overhead wire with complicated setup. Different size of insulation limits its operation to specified route only.

[0013] In EP 0042690 Bl, turning is still limited using auxiliary wire. At few degrees of cross wiring, pantograph may rise up causing damage to system as no security measures are considered thus restricting its operation.

[0014] Maximum angle of moving vehicle relative to overhead lines is not more than 70 degrees for lateral shifting while transverse crossing is not possible due to non-availability of control and monitoring system of pantograph conductor bar.

[0015] Here pantograph is considered for rigidly defined vehicles and overhead lines positions and auxiliary connector is proposed for lateral movement.

[0016] Recharge of batteries on ETB is possible in EP 0042690 B1 but charging while driving for light vehicles/Electric cars etc. with cash card facility is not available. EP 0042690 B1 is only limited to contract based vehicles like railways.

[0017] Installation and maintenance of exactly parallel minimum three overhead lines on curved road, turns, and crossing etc. need supporting system which are high expensive setup.

[0018] Aesthetic view is affected by minimum 6 wires on road (to and fro).

[0019] No disclosure about laying of overhead lines particularly auxiliary line and their supporting measures.

[0020] Overhead line voltage is not disclosed for operation of ETB. Width of overhead wire and collecting bar is not specified.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The primary object of the invention is to provide an Electronic Current Collector (ECC) for ETB/EV based on non-conductive single arm pantograph managing both overhead wires (three wires in case of three phase) on single arm to receive Electric power from pair of overhead power supply line DC or single phase AC) or three overhead lines for 3 phase AC supply, lying parallel to road with flexibility and maneuverability and power distribution setup.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to facilitate ETB/EV as an alternative to fossil fuel based vehicles by removing the constraints like rest mode connectivity, overtaking, lane changing, left-right-circular turnings, bypassing, side lane stoppage, maneuverability, sticking to overhead supply line, de-wirement, laying of overhead supply line etc. of existing ETB/EV e.g. electric trams, electric trolley trucks etc.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to reduce air and noise pollution generated by fossil fuel based vehicles at the point of operation and thus protecting living and non-living beings from harmful effects of various gases generated by these vehicles to zero emissions electric vehicles.

[0024] Yet another object of the invention is to save conventional non-renewable fossil fuel (e.g. petrol, diesel, CNG etc.) by replacing internal combustion/ignition type road vehicles with ECC based electric traction motor based vehicles operating with overhead power supply lines.

[0025] A further object of the invention is to reduce the generation of greenhouse gases that make passage to ultraviolet rays from sun by destroying ozone layer of stratosphere, causing many diseases like skin cancer etc. and also to control global warming caused by emissions of greenhouse gases from transport vehicles.

[0026] Another object of the invention is to increase the efficiency of road vehicles by replacing internal combustion/ignition type engine with high efficiency electric traction motor.

[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide charging while driving facility to electric vehicles for electrification of road transportation with small and light weight on-board backup for better efficiency, little or no charging time for long driving range.

[0028] Another object of the invention is to provide information of contacts of overhead lines relative to pantograph for monitoring and safety of vehicle and overhead supply system.

[0029] Another object of the invention is to remove costly switches at turnings/crossings or lane changing, problem at railway track overhead line or special accessories at crossings etc.
and additional auxiliary line.
[0029] Yet another object is to reduce installation/maintenance cost of overhead supply system including removal of auxiliary line, concern power distribution station by providing freedom in laying of overhead supply wires considering scenery and the aesthetic point of view accordingly for electric vehicles.

[0030] Yet another object of invention is to use DC or single phase AC or three phase AC
supply ranging from 600V to 1000V and provide flexibility to use multi-lines even from different power stations.

[0031] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide better aesthetic appearance to ETB by replacing two pole adaptors attached with ropes at back of ETB to single-arm pantograph and providing flexible operation without affecting traffic on road.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In contrast to the prior art, the present invention uses Electronic Current Collector (ECC) for ETB/Electric Vehicles (EV) based on non-conductive single pantograph managing both overhead wires on single arm. The pantograph comprises saw tooth shape segmentation of carbon shoes placed with 2 mm gap with each other called insulation gap.
Three insulation gaps are always maintained at any angle of conducting arm of pantograph.

[0033] The present invention further uses control and monitoring system, power supply management system with on-board rechargeable backup system, operate using pair of overhead supply line of 600 V-1kV AC or DC supply or three wires for 600 V to lkV of 3 phase supply. Therefore, the collector can handle multiple opposite polarity supply wires 201 and 202 simultaneously without short circuiting.
BRIEF DESCRITON OF DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention may be better understood and its methodology, objects, features and advantages are made apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Fig. 1 depicts a general setup of Electronic Current Collector (ECC) along with ETB
and overhead power supply line.

[0036] Fig. 1(a) depicts Carbon shoe with Saw Tooth design. Diameter of contact wires 107;

[0037] Fig. 2 depicts dimensions of single arm Pantograph based ECC of Fig. 1;

[0038] Fig. 3 depicts specific Electronic Circuit for Current collector and collecting shoes activated by pair of overhead supply line in two steps of ETB/EV relative to overhead line and monitoring setup of Fig.1;

[0039] Fig. 4 depicts design of connectivity of overhead lines at crossing and different positions of ECC underneath overhead supply lines at crossing of Fig. 1;

[0040] Fig. 5 depicts block diagram of control system, smart cash card insertion slot, monitoring, ADD, switching at DC bus bar by control system as per smart card activation and supply from overhead to traction motor on ETB/EV of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. The detailed description is construed as a description of the currently preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not represent the only form in which the present invention may be practiced. This is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished, in any order unless expressly and necessarily limited to a particular order, by different embodiments that are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

[0042] The embodiment is chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0043] Furthermore there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is further understood that the relational terms such as first, second etc., if any, are used solely to distinguish one from another entity, item or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities, items or actions.

[0044] With reference to the drawings for purpose of illustration, Fig. 1 depicts setup of ECC
100 for ETB 300 along with pair of overhead 600V-1kV DC or AC supply lines 200 in accordance with the present invention. A single arm pantograph 305 with insulated structure unlike Rail engine pantograph, is mounted on top of ETB 300 above front wheel.
The pantograph is of height 1.5M to 2.5 M and pneumatically-controlled via Automatic Drop down system (ADD), supporting two core power cables 204 and 205 and control cable 112x from top end to on-board connecting points. The other on-board systems are almost similar to existing ETBs except slight modification of control and monitoring system.
The traction motor is used as per capacity of electric vehicle or all wheeled drive motors or single motor.
The overhead power supply lines 200 is 600V-1000V DC or AC instead of existing DC. The overhead power supply lines 200 hang either in catenaries form or directly with hanging weight, with current rating as per site load like existing technology but do not need any switch for turning or changing lane, additional auxiliary line etc., and power rectifiers at power distribution station. Spacing between pair of overhead line is maintained as per specific design of ECC for proper connectivity. Flexibility in laying of overhead lines is provided as per ECC length. The pair of overhead lines 200, either AC or DC or both on same route in the range 600V-1000V are supported by insulators mounted on poles. The poles are either on divider or side line of road as per site requirement similar to existing system. The cash card slot is included in control setup in pantograph top end to activate power output at DC terminal 204/205 and continue as per power consumption is sensed and monitored by control system.

[0045] Fig. 2 illustrates ECC 100 which is designed to receive power from pair of overhead 600 V-1kV DC or AC supply lines 200 for rubber tyre wheeled ETB/EV 300 for electrification of road transportation As shown in Fig. 2, pantograph 305 used in ECC 100 is single arm non-conductive with insulating base on top end. The height of pantograph is in the range 1.5M to 2.5M. The pantograph 305 is mounted on top at center of front wheels of ETB/EV 300 having pneumatic pressure control is used for raising pantograph and Automatic Drop Down (ADD) system to push up and pull down.

[0046] The total length of top arm of pantograph is L, wherein D is the length of conducting area. The top arm of pantograph consists of insulated base in three layers and safety horns as a part of insulating base like arc of 9" downward extending insulator base around 1.5" both side of pantograph but within length L. Both sides of pantograph are slightly (around 6 inches) less than outer width of ETB/EV 300 and total width is slightly (3") more than width of conducting area.

[0047] On top insulating base, conductive segmented carbon shoes 104 are mounted with spacing of I [standard: 2mm] called Insulation gap 103 and on middle of insulating base 2n numbers of power diodes of rating as per ETB/EV rating are mounted and two power diodes are connected to opposite direction to each segmented carbon shoes 104 and cathode of all n power diodes are connected to +ye [positive] DC Bus Bar mounted on bottom insulating layer while anode of each n numbers power diodes are connected to ¨ye [Negative] DC
Bus Bar.

[0048] By virtue of single arm pantograph, the problem of de-wirement, connection or disconnection to or from pair of overhead lines 300, push up or drop down in driving condition or any other condition and rest mode manual connectivity can be overcome.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 1 (a), the top end of pantograph has total conducting length D (6"
less than insulating base arm L) of carbon shoes 104 for receiving power from line 201/202.
The full conductive length L is made of conductive carbon shoe similar to rail pantograph but segmented in Saw Tooth shape [X, Y and Z] as shown in Fig 1 (b) in n numbers depending on outer width of ETB/EV 300 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with standard length B of each carbon shoe as half of separation between pair of overhead line (A/2) or 6"
whichever is less and width C of Carbon Shoe including one saw tooth is 1/3rd of A or 3.45"
whichever is less as segmented carbon shoe 104.

[0050] All Carbon Shoes 104 are fixed with insulation gap I [standard: 2mm]103 to each other in metallic base slightly higher than supporting insulator boundary with smooth curve joined to maintain proper contact in any type of movement of ETB/EV 300 while in contact in different positions. The insulation gap [I] 103 provides more than 100 MO
at 2.5kV works like open circuit.

[0051] Below each Carbon shoe 104, two power diodes [DF and DR] are mounted at second layer of base and DC bus bar 204/205 on third layer (as per current rating of ETB) is mounted.
As shown in Fig. 3 each conducting holder of 104, are connected with two power diodes DFn and DRn opposite to each other. The forward diode DF anode is connected to shoe 104 and cathode to DC bus bar 204 (+ve) and cathode of reverse diode DR is connected to shoe 104 and anode is connected to 205 ¨ve of DC supply bus bar 205. Similarly all n numbers 104 needed as per length of conducting arm are connected to n numbers of DF and n numbers of DR and 204 and 205 respectively.

[0052] The Saw Tooth design parameters X,Y, Z and others as shown in Fig. 1(a) are based on full width contact and three isolation gaps are always maintained at any angle of conducting arm relative to overhead lines spaced to minimum distance S or more.

[0053] Whenever pantograph rises up and touches both supply lines P201 and N202, the minimum three insulation gaps 103 each having insulation more than 1001\40 at 2.5 kV tested for 2mm air gap at normal temperature and condition with 2.5 kV meager, work like open circuit for any position and direction of pantograph and both supply lines resulting no short circuit.

[0054] As shown in Fig.3, STEP-I the supply lines 201 connected to 1048 and 202 to 1044 activates DF8 for +ve cycle and DRS for return and vice-versa, maintaining 204 as a continuous +ve supply point and 205 as -ye line, works as a full wave rectifier for AC supply as well as for DC supply line and generates DC supply at bus bar 204P and 205 N of 600V-lkV DC output for ETB/EV.

[0055] In Step-II in Fig. 3 the pantograph is touching overhead line P 201 at Saw Tooth shape insulation gap 103 and N 202 to single carbon shoe 1044. In this case two forward diodes DF7 & DF8 and single reverse diode DRS are shown in active condition as 1044 with 202 and 1047 and 1048 connected with 201. Here three 103 gaps are available between connected active shoes 104 for complete insulation. Due to Saw Tooth shape, the wire just above it remains connected through both carbon shoes 104 and other (n-2) Nos.
diodes remain reverse biased or inactive including shoe 104 (n-3) Nos. remain inactive maintaining proper insulation between both P and N supply lines. The DC bus bar +ve line 204 is connected with P 201 through active forward diodes for uninterrupted supply even being on isolation gap while DC bus bar ¨ye line 205 returns with reverse diodes activated by line N
202 or by three phase AC supply line. Similar case for any other step or directions, many nos.
of 104 activated even three isolation gaps will be maintained for isolation between overhead supply lines 201/202. In transverse movement for 80 deg or more ADD takes care and if needs, it will drop the pantograph for safety of overhead lines.

[0056] The design dimensions are taken for providing maximum flexibility in connectivity, simplified lines and due care of safety measures so that no condition of short circuiting even ECC100 is beneath of numbers of pair of lines in any permutations and combinations i.e.
parallel or two pairs diverted, two pairs parallel, any type of crossing, lines from two different distribution station etc. arise for providing full flexibility to ETB to ply like fuel bus.

[0057] The Electronic Current Collector (ECC) 100 generates only DC output of 1000V for AC or DC supply line which is connected to on-board power panel of ETB 300 by two core power cable 204/205 of suitable rating and further extended to on-board power supply management (PSM) system which converts supplies according to traction motor requirement for driving ETB/EV 300. It also charges on-board back up system and uses in case of power failure, diversion of route no supply line etc. as back up maintaining normal driving. The power supply lines 200 is supported by pole on divider/side line parallel to road and its opposite polarity or phase/neutral lines 201 and 202 are separated to minimum specified distance and height. The conducting arm of ECC100 receives power by touching overhead lines at any two places of ECC100 and provides freedom in installation of lines not restricting exactly above the bus lane but within contact range of ECC100. The carbon shoe 104 on 100 are as used in electric trains, eliminating the problem of lateral sliding to either line 200 or ECC 100 and can connect or disconnect in moving condition also thus facilitating the driver to drive like fuel bus with all benefits of electricity. The present invention also provides charging while driving facilities to other types of vehicle on road without waiting for charging. This is solution of zero emissions in road transportation. The ETB 300is rubber tyre wheeled road vehicle powered by pair of overhead supply lines 200 of 600V
to 1000V
AC or DC which is received by current collector on one side and retuned from other side.
This implies that there is no need of any third connector or track on road like used by Trams.

[0058] According to the present invention, the collector can handle multiple opposite polarity supply wires 201 and 202 simultaneously without short circuiting laying. The special design and placement of carbon shoes 104 on insulating base and generating output using Electronic setup are most valuable techniques of the present invention. With this arrangement of conducting Carbon shoes 104 ETB/EV 300 moves laterally on both sides of overhead wires 201 and 202 up to red zone 153 while maintaining contacts with overhead wires 201 and 202.
The lateral movement up to active length of collector (00 on both sides of overhead wires 200 is possible without disconnection and relative movement of ECC setup with ETB/EV. By virtue of design of collecting elements 104, ETB/EV 300 moves in any direction relative to overhead wires/multiple wires at multi-way junction's maintaining collectors parallel to wires without short circuiting. It is also compatible to receive power from three phase AC supply via three or four overhead wires directly. With design features of ECC 100, overhead wires 201 and 202 do not stick in the middle of lane but move anywhere above lane as per convenient/economical site requirement, preserving the aesthetic view and provides great flexibility in overhead lines laying reducing its installation and maintenance cost.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 3, the power received by Carbon Shoes 104 are rectified to DC
supply according to input voltage in pair of overhead lines 200 and available at 0/P Terminal of ECC 204(+ve) and 205(-ve) via DC bus bar unlike Rail or existing ETBs that use conductive arm. The DC supply of 600V-1KV carried by two core power cables 203/204 to power panel of ETB/EV and extended to power supply Management (PSM) system.
PSM
system converts DC supply to AC or DC supply suitable for traction motor(s) of ETB/EV
300, operation of on-board equipments, Air Conditioners, charging of on-board back-up system (normally 48 V DC) etc. and managing on-board back-up supply for operation of ETBs/EVs 300, during non-availability of pair of overhead supply line/supply failure, route diversion, disconnection/ lane changing etc. without any problem in driving by activating traction motor/s.

[0060] Control system receives commands from driver for any action and controls the system accordingly as well as automatic function are activated by control system directly and executed as per requirement.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 3, the numbers and position of active carbon shoes 104 are sensed by voltage sensors and information is sent via control cable 112x connected to input of on-board control system which are displayed for driver as shown GREEN 151 for normal, YELLOW 152 for watch and RED 153 indicator giving message to be ready to drop manual and activating Automatic Drop Down (ADD) to drive ETB safely.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, the ADD works in three steps. In the first step, if last red marked carbon shoe touched by outer line of 200, the pushing upward pressure taken under control and step-2 on further pantograph leaving overhead lines and inner line 200 touches RED mark 104 no other line in contact at any position, the ADD will drop 3" within 0.5 sec and 5 seconds to complete drop. The pantograph 104 can be raised by the driver if he feels ETB/EV 300 is beneath pair of overhead lines 200 in driving condition to reconnect using control system of pushing up the pantograph for receiving power without any problem.

[0063] Pair of overhead supply lines 200 for ECC 100 based ETB/EV 300 are similar to existing pair of overhead lines 200 of ETBs or pair of overhead lines 200 with catenaries supported or hanging like electric track based rail engines but in pair. The new design of ECC
100 is compatible to receive electric supply from pair of overhead supply lines 200 carrying 600V-1000V DC or AC or both supplies on route without any switching in setup.
The DC
supply based ETB/EVs receive power from power distribution stations using heavy current rating power rectifiers setup, if any, but has no need of rectification at power distribution station. The supply line 201 and 202, are separated by insulator 221 of dimension as mentioned in Fig. 2 to maintain minimum separation of one feet or more. The pair of overhead lines 200 placed parallel more than 1' does not require an insulator if safety condition is maintained i.e. no short circuiting due to wind pressure or operation of ETB/EV 300 with pantograph 305 connected or any other means. The separation between two lines up to length of conducting arm of pantograph is continued to maintain current collection by ECC 100 not restricting exactly above the bus lane but as per site requirement [standard 11. There is no need of any costly change-over switch or any special accessories in line for any turn or crossing as shown in Fig. 4 for ECC. The jumpers at crossing are three times of width of conducting pantograph or 20" whichever is higher. The use of AC supply in local urban areas under 600 km route and DC above 600 km route are found economical in existing operational system but use of AC supply in ECC may be more cost effective due to low loss in HT
converted to LT at power station and feed multiple routes.

[0064] Three phase AC supply with single phase voltage of 600V-1000V may be utilized directly from HT to LT transformer with balanced load using laying of three phase line in distributed to road routes according to load on routes and switching of phase load as per time and traffic.

[0065] Overhead lines 200on road for ETB/EV at crossings of Electric Rail lines (overhead and track) are made underground through tunnel of safe length and use on-board back-up ETB/EV to pass the railway track and again join overhead supply lines 200.

[0066] The standards of safety are considered for avoiding short circuit or unwanted incidence during ETB/EV operation on road including height of flyover bridges on road or multi-level flyovers, buildings, trees and any other system near to road.

[0067] Modern operational ETBs with single coach/articulated ETB operate at 750V DC after replacing pole adaptors system including ropes and mounting ECC pantograph 100 on top of ETB/EV 300 at center of front wheels 302 of ETB/EVs 300 as shown in Fig. 1, to receive power from pair of overhead 600V-1kV DC or AC supply lines 200. Small on-board backup, Power Supply Management (PSM) system upgraded for 600 V-1kV DC supply to manage all supplies according to requirement of traction motor and other equipments on-board including charging of on-board backup.

[0068] Multi power diodes in parallel are connected to meet the overall power rating if single power diode current rating does not fulfill the highest load in ETB/EV 300 and to reduce weight of pantograph 305, single 3-phase power rectifiers as per current rating are used to replace 6 power diodes.

[0069] Light Vehicles powered by electric traction motor using on-board electric power storage/backup system may use Charging while driving facility for reducing weight of on-board back up to get better response and no charging time additional with small back up. For this light vehicles/electric cars mount pantograph structure with ECC setup and smart card setup (not shown here) for payment of electricity used. For use of charging while driving facilities by light vehicles/electric cars, ECC setup must be activated for valid payment and active pantograph otherwise, smart card setup deactivates ADD which don't allow pantograph to rise up for connection, disconnect DC bus bar to power cable using controlled switch as well as measures the power consumption via electronic current and voltage meter at DC bus bar output to ensure use of electricity by only active users. Direct monitoring of non-active pantograph as indicator is made for traffic police to check of illegal use of electricity and damaging overhead power supply resources.

70 PCT/IB2015/059760 [0070] The ECC details of design dimensions as shown in Fig.2 in accordance with Fig. 1 are as follows:
L=Total length of pantograph top arm including insulator base. [Std 6" less than outer width of ETB/EV]
D=Total length of Current collecting arm of Pantograph (slightly less than whole pantograph length) [Standard L-61 A=Separation between pair of overhead supply line P&N 201/202 with Minimum 12"
and max up to D (standard 12").
B=Length of segmented carbon shoe 104 A/2 or 6" whichever is less (standard 6").
C=Width of segmented Carbon Shoe 104 A/3 or 3.45" whichever is less (standard 3.45").
I=Gap between two Saw tooth shaped segmented Carbon shoes 104 [standard 2mm], with saw tooth height [z] depending on diameter of overhead touching line [T] or standard 0.5".
H=Width of pantograph top arm including insulator base. B+3" or 9" whichever is less [standard 91.
T=Width of overhead wire 201 and 202 touching carbon shoes 104.
Insulating Base: Three layers depending on ETB/EV power rating and power diodes.
Jumper Length= 3 x B or 20" whichever is greater as shown in Fig-4.
Example: Design dimensions of ECC for a low floor Electric trolley Bus with AC, size Length-10 m, Width- 2.5 m, Height- 2.5 m, are given herewith:

Si. Particulars Dimensions Remark No 1. Overhead wires Separation 12" or more Wire to wire 2 Overhead wire jumper 20" May be 18" as per overhead line gap 3. Insulated Pantograph Height 1.5-2.5 M As per std Insulated Base top end of 92"
4.
Pantograph (L) with Horns Width of Pantograph top end 9"
5.
insulator base 6. Total length of current collector 86" L-6"
Arm of ECC
Width of total current collector 6" A/2 7.
Arm of ECC
8. Gap between two Carbon Shoes 2.0 mm 600V to lkV AC/ DC
supply 9. Nos. of Carbon Shoes 24-25 Nos, Isolation resistance between two Full with 2.5 More than 100 MO
10.
Carbon Shoes with air kV meager 11. Dead Zone at Standard Crossings 20" If no other supply line Angular length of three 11.95" Min for 3.45"
carbon 12. combined Carbon Shoes (S) with shoe two isolation gaps Lateral Movement in connected 2.1M or 1.5 2.4M manual 13. with overhead supply lines both side of overhead lines 14. Road lane 2 of 2.54M
As per std

[0071] For rating of power diodes multi diodes in parallel may be connected to meet the highest load in ETB and to reduce weight of pantograph, a single 3-phase rectifier may replace 6 power diodes .

[0072] Fig. 5 depicts the block diagram current flow from overhead supply lines 200 up to last equipment on ETB 300 to be powered. The control and monitor, back up are powered by on-board storage like batteries/ultra capacitors etc. charged by PSM when connected to supply. PSM can utilize on-board backup during failure of supply/power cut, deviation of route, lane change, overtaking and dead zone created if any by insulators and jumpers etc.
and charged by PSM when connected reduces heavy backup onboard.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1) A current collector system 100 for a vehicle comprising:
a single-arm pantograph 305 with insulating base on top;
plurality of carbon shoes 104 mounted on top of said insulating base;
plurality of overhead power supply lines 200;
wherein the single-arm pantograph 305 is non-conductive;
wherein said carbon shoes 104 are segmented in saw-tooth shape;
wherein said carbon shoes 104 are fixed with plurality of insulation gaps 103;
wherein three insulation gaps 103 are always maintained at any angle of conducting arm D
of the pantograph 305;
wherein the overhead power supply lines are of 600 to 1000V.

2) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein two similar power diodes DF and DR are mounted between each carbon shoe 104.

3) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle or a fuel-based vehicle such as but not limited to rail, bus, tram, metro train and street car.

4) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein by virtue of Saw Tooth shape of the carbon shoes 104, the overhead supply lines 200 remain connected through both active carbon shoes 104 and other diodes remain reverse biased or inactive including shoe 104 (n-3) numbers remain inactive maintaining proper insulation between both P & N supply lines.

5) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic pressure control is used for raising the pantograph and Automatic Drop Down (ADD) system to push up and pull down the pantograph.

6) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current collector system facilitates lateral, transverse, angular movement of the vehicle without short-circuiting.

7) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current collector system charges electric vehicles while driving with small and light weight on-board backup.

8) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current collector system provides connection or disconnection to or from pair of overhead lines 200 without halting of vehicle 300.

9) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current collector system eliminates the need of costly switches at turns, crossings, low installation and maintenance cost.

10) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current collector system provides smart card setup for payment of electricity used.

11) The current collector system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current collector system eliminates the need of power rectifiers at power distribution station.