Engineering Description
The idea of a purely electrically driven railcar was risen by Börzsöny Ltd in June 2012. After meeting the ideas a feasibility study was done that met the expectations of Ipolyerdő Rt. Börzsöny 2020 Ltd. (carcase), Hungarotrain Ltd. (drive and control) and GanzPlan Hungaria Ltd. (documentation and licensing) were participating in the development process of th unique railcar.
The new railcar gains the energy from batteries that can be charged by the solar panels located on the roof or by outer electric connectors as well. Moreover – as it is a requirement nowadays for electrically driven railcars – the energy generated at braking is recuperated to its own batteries since it has no overhead electric cables. In case of ideal circumstances (enough sunlight) there is no need for outer charge, so the vehicle is purely operated by renewable energy.
The lifetime of the solar panels are between 20-40 years and in case of required placing they are maintenance free. Further solution is the solar system operating in a recuperational mode that is placed to the top of the maintenance site. The energy generated by this system is used to charge the batteries of the vehicles in nonoperating mode. In case of a well calculated system there is no need for any energy from the power system of the country, therefore this operation does not load the environment and generates significant cost reduction.
To reduce the energy consumption – with respect to the narrow bends of the track – this vehicle has equalizing gear which is unique in the world. To avoid the wheel rotation the wheel pair together forms an electric shaft – therefore balancing the torque.
Since this 100% environmental friendly drive does not allow high speed, the vehicles that are similar to this currently produced car can be used efficiently to shorter distances and narrow rail gauges. It has lower power, slower speed and they are capable for shorter distances than combustion engines therefore they are ideal for domestic local lines. We have to keep in mind: we have open lines at the Great Hungarian Plain area as well although they are out of order at the moment.
Taking into consideration the engineering and economical possibilities as well as the maintenance and other costs the most practical solution was an industrial asynchronous engine to be used. Because of the special voltage the engine had to be spooled, and because of the railway requirements the bearings had to be modified and the rotating part had to be balanced as well. The proper choosing of the pole number of the asynchronous engine resulted a better nominal frequency than in case of a linear AC machine, therefore transmission could be managed by a simple toothed belt (so there was no need to manage sophisticated driving apparatus at the equalizing gear). The railcar is built according to the state of the art principles: asynchronous engine with inverter, microprocessor control and modern, touch panel for the driver to operate the vehicle.
The development of the prototype was managed without any application for tenders, it was purely managed by the sources of the participating companies. Since the tenders of the European Union highly support vehicles that are similar to this one and also the environment friendly, zero emission technologies, in the hopeful future mass production shall be supported
In connection to the 100% renewable energy consumption, besides the railcar, the Hungarotrain Ltd. proposed a waterwheel to the nearby stream through Királyrét in which a recuperational generator would be assembled. A meter would continuously inform the interested parties about the amount of electric energy recuperated to the local electric line. The accomplishment of the plans depends on the environmental protection government. If the transport with Vili should be completed with the above mentioned option, it would be also a tourist attraction as well beyond environmental protection.
If the transport with Vili should be completed with the above mentioned option, it would be also a tourist attraction as well beyond environmental protection.
