Increasing the energy efficiency of AC electric locomotives through adaptive control of the phase relationship of electric motor forces in the traction motor
https://doi.org/10.46973/0201-727X_2026_1_135
Abstract
This article explores improving the energy efficiency and reliability of commutator traction motors of AC electric locomotives by using adaptive control of the excitation winding's fixed shunt resistor. It is shown that rectified voltage pulsations in the excitation circuit generate a transformer EMF, which, with a fixed shunt resistance, provides a favorable EMF phase relationship only in a narrow range of operating conditions near the rated armature current. When deviating from the rated conditions, commutation conditions are disrupted, intense sparking occurs, and brush contact losses increase.
A solution is proposed based on the use of a controlled electronic switch in the shunt resistor circuit, allowing the equivalent resistance of the shunt branch to be adapted depending on the armature current. Estimates show that implementing adaptive control reduces brush losses by 15–20%, and overall traction motor losses by 4%.
About the Authors
V. S. Tomilov
Krasnoyarsk Institute of Railway Transport, Branch of the Irkutsk State Transport University, Chair “Railway Operation”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tomilov Vyacheslav Stanislavovich, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor
T. V. Volchek
Krasnoyarsk Institute of Railway Transport, Branch of the Irkutsk State Transport University (KrIRT IrSTU)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Volchek Tatyana Vitalievna, Chair “Railway Operation”, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor
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Review
For citations:
Tomilov V.S., Volchek T.V. Increasing the energy efficiency of AC electric locomotives through adaptive control of the phase relationship of electric motor forces in the traction motor. Vestnik Rostovskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta Putej Soobshcheniya. 2026;(1):135-142. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.46973/0201-727X_2026_1_135
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