Inductive Wireless Power Transfer for Switcher Trains
Inductive Wireless Power Transfer for Switcher Trains
To address the issue of charging off-road switcher equipment at railroad yards, we propose to develop a wireless charging system for switcher trains at the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Yard. The system would allow the switcher trains be charged overnight and minimize the heavy labor involved in the current plug-in charging system – thus minimize exposing rail yard personnel to working hazards due to heavy loading. Based on innovative and state-of-the-art inductive power transfer (IPT) technology, wireless power charging minimizes the use of power cords and can eliminate several safety issues associated with power cords. IPT is a novel technology that has seen significant applications in automobile and bus applications. However, the technology development for tracked locomotives is very limited. The proposed study includes research, development and demonstration of the wireless power charging system, charging unit installation study including interferences due to metallic rail tracks, and site safety studies including fire safety due to battery fire. The proposed wireless charging system will provide substantial support for the rapid and reliable charging of the electric power supply of the switcher trains, which will greatly facilitate the asset management facing NCDOT in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. Ultimately, the results of this research will also benefit NCDOT as to the enhancement and safety of the yard operations.
- Record URL:
- Record URL:
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $404989.00
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Contract Numbers:
FHWA/NC 2020-40
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Sponsor Organizations:
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Research and Development
1549 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC United States 27699-1549 -
Managing Organizations:
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Research and Development
1549 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC United States 27699-1549 -
Project Managers:
Bradley, Curtis
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Performing Organizations:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Charlotte, North Carolina United States 28223 -
Principal Investigators:
Zhao, Tiefu
- Start Date: 20190801
- Expected Completion Date: 20220731
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- Source Data: 2020-40
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Power; Railroad trains; Railroad yards; Wireless LANs; Yard operations
- Identifier Terms: North Carolina Department of Transportation
- Subject Areas: Energy; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01724954
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: North Carolina Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: FHWA/NC 2020-40
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Dec 11 2019 3:54PM