HSTEd
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 14 Jul 2011
- Messages
- 20,392
Unfortunately we are going to need transformers in AC locomotives until such time as someone builds a 50kV rated IGBT.... we are up to ~6.5kV at this point.
It could be a while
EDIT:
Ive been doing some research (this sort of thing interests me) and it would appear that by cascading several IGBT stages you could "chop" the 50Hz utility frequency input into a ~400Hz output and feed it to a higher frequency transformer which can have drastically lower mass and is more efficient.
This is apparently cutting edge technology but it could erase the weight disadvantages of the bimode concept using AC power equipment.
It could be a while
EDIT:
Ive been doing some research (this sort of thing interests me) and it would appear that by cascading several IGBT stages you could "chop" the 50Hz utility frequency input into a ~400Hz output and feed it to a higher frequency transformer which can have drastically lower mass and is more efficient.
This is apparently cutting edge technology but it could erase the weight disadvantages of the bimode concept using AC power equipment.
Last edited:
