Tests of Superconducting Traction Transformer for Railway Rolling Stock

We have been developing a lightweight and high-efficiency superconducting traction transformer for railway rolling stock. We designed and fabricated a prototype superconducting traction transformer of a floor-mount type for Shinkansen rolling stock. In this study, we present test results such as type test, system test and vibration test. We performed the type test in accordance with JIS, E5007. In this test, we measured the basic electrical characteristics. In the system test, we tested the transformer with a dynamic simulator for rolling stock, as a converter connected at secondary winding, and verified the operating characteristics. We performed vibration tests in accordance with JIS, E4031, vibrating the transformer on a shaking table with three-dimensional movement. As a result, we could verify that the transformer satisfied the requirement almost exactly as initially planned.

I. Introduction

We have been developing a light weight and high-efficiency superconducting traction transformer for railway rolling stock. A traction transformer that is on-board equipment of rolling stock requires light weight. We carried out a conceptual design for optimization, fabricated, and tested high-Tc superconducting coils that simulate windings and relevant components [1], [2]. Then, we designed and fabricated a prototype superconducting traction transformer floor-mounted type for Shinkansen rolling stock [1], [3].