Automatic Control System for Currents of AC Locomotive Collector Traction Motors with Controlled Excitation Converters
Key Points
This research aims to develop an automatic current control system for AC locomotives' traction motors to improve efficiency and traction force management.
Developed a mathematical model considering the nonlinearity of the magnetization curve.
Accounted for eddy currents from main and auxiliary pole windings.
Analyzed electromagnetic, electromechanical, and mechanical processes during locomotion with freight.
The proposed system enabled effective axle-by-axle and bogie-by-bogie traction force control.
Calculations confirmed enhanced performance during starting and acceleration phases.
Showed significant improvement in the traction characteristics with controlled excitation.
Abstract
This paper examines an automatic current control system for commutator traction motors of AC electric locomotives with controlled bridge transistor IGBT converters shunting the excitation windings of electric motors. This system enables the implementation of traction characteristics for independent and series excitation of motors, as well as axle-by-axle and bogie-by-bogie control of the locomotive’s traction force. A mathematical model of the traction motor is proposed that takes into account the nonlinearity of the magnetization curve and separately accounts for eddy currents generated by the main pole winding, as well as the windings of the auxiliary poles and compensation windings. Calculations of electromagnetic, electromechanical, and mechanical processes occurring during starting and accelerating the electric locomotive with a freight train confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed automatic traction motor current control system.