Inductive power supply for heavy rail vehicles

Electrical railway systems are characterized by the energy transfer from fixed installations of the railway energy supply source to the mobile consumers. Today's conventional versions are always characterized by contact-based energy transfer. In the following, the initial approach for a contactless energy transfer for standard gauge railway vehicles is set out. Building on the railway specific requirements of an energy transfer system, a first system draft is outlined. The feasibility for introducing such a contactless transmission system depends on the overall costs arising during the life cycle in comparison with conventional systems. For this reason, the costs of today's installations are considered, and related pros and cons of the alternative transmission systems are discussed. In addition, the perspectives for the introduction of contactless energy transfer are evaluated.