A vehicle starting system according to the present invention includes: an ATC as an automatic train controller that, on the basis of a start instruction received from an OCC as a central command device on the ground, starts a TCMS as an integrated train management system mounted on a train; and the TCMS performs control to supply power to a first vehicle device, and further performs control to supply power to a second vehicle device by raising a pantograph and then closing a VCB as a vacuum circuit breaker, and converting a voltage of alternating-current power acquired from an overhead contact line via the pantograph and the VCB.

A vehicle starting system according to the present invention includes: an ATC as an automatic train controller that, on the basis of a start instruction received from an OCC as a central command device on the ground, starts a TCMS as an integrated train management system mounted on a train; and the TCMS performs control to supply power to a first vehicle device, and further performs control to supply power to a second vehicle device by raising a pantograph and then closing a VCB as a vacuum circuit breaker, and converting a voltage of alternating-current power acquired from an overhead contact line via the pantograph and the VCB.

The present invention proposes a hybrid converter branch operating mode for a Modular Multilevel power Converter MMC with MMC cells in distinct subsets operating according to a pulse blocked cell operation mode with DC cell voltage increase or according to a bypass cell operation mode without DC cell voltage increase. Repeated cell subset assignment and corresponding alternation of cell operating mode allows to reduce or at least manage a mean deviation of the cell capacitor DC voltages of the converter cells. The invention also reduces no-load losses of the MMC in standby mode and a charging voltage in an MMC charging mode.

The present invention proposes a hybrid converter branch operating mode for a Modular Multilevel power Converter MMC with MMC cells in distinct subsets operating according to a pulse blocked cell operation mode with DC cell voltage increase or according to a bypass cell operation mode without DC cell voltage increase. Repeated cell subset assignment and corresponding alternation of cell operating mode allows to reduce or at least manage a mean deviation of the cell capacitor DC voltages of the converter cells. The invention also reduces no-load losses of the MMC in standby mode and a charging voltage in an MMC charging mode.

A method for producing, especially configuring, a system is provided, including a contact wire and an apparatus, and device for carrying out the method. The apparatus is able to be supplied with energy with the aid of the contact wire, and information is transmittable from and/or receivable by the apparatus via the contact wire. The contact wire has at least a first, second, fourth and fifth contact conductor that are connected to one respective connector element of the apparatus. The first and second contact conductors have one respective phase of the AC voltage supplying the apparatus. The fourth contact conductor is provided for transmitting information and the fifth contact conductor is provided for receiving information. One of the phases, thus especially the phase acting as signaling phase, is connected electrically to a first connector element, in particular, the first connector element is provided with a corresponding marking or identification when producing the apparatus. A controllable switch, particularly a semiconductor switch, of the apparatus electrically connects the first connector element for periods of time to the connector element connected to the fourth contact conductor, or breaks this connection.

A method for producing, especially configuring, a system is provided, including a contact wire and an apparatus, and device for carrying out the method. The apparatus is able to be supplied with energy with the aid of the contact wire, and information is transmittable from and/or receivable by the apparatus via the contact wire. The contact wire has at least a first, second, fourth and fifth contact conductor that are connected to one respective connector element of the apparatus. The first and second contact conductors have one respective phase of the AC voltage supplying the apparatus. The fourth contact conductor is provided for transmitting information and the fifth contact conductor is provided for receiving information. One of the phases, thus especially the phase acting as signaling phase, is connected electrically to a first connector element, in particular, the first connector element is provided with a corresponding marking or identification when producing the apparatus. A controllable switch, particularly a semiconductor switch, of the apparatus electrically connects the first connector element for periods of time to the connector element connected to the fourth contact conductor, or breaks this connection.

A direct current (DC) traction power electric arc suppressing device is provided. The device comprises a parallel resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit electrically connected between a main traction power rail and an associated power rail incline end section with a narrow insulating joint installed between the main traction power rail and the associated power rail end section incline.

A UAV in which electric power is generated for an electric load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced thereat; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials causes a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering an electric load. Preferably, the UAV includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configurebased on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electric loadone or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electric load.

A UAV in which electric power is generated for an electric load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced thereat; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials causes a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering an electric load. Preferably, the UAV includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configurebased on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electric loadone or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electric load.

Apparatus for generating electric power within vicinity of powerlines using varying electric fields and an electrical pathway to ground are disclosed. Such apparatus preferably include, for example, UAVs, charging stations, and power strips mountable to a powerline transmission tower. Methods and systems utilizing such apparatus further are disclosed. The electrical pathway to ground may include an interface that is tethered to a UAV and that is dragged along a shield wire behind the UAV as the UAV travels along the powerlines. The electrical pathway to ground alternatively may include an electrical connection to a ground of a support structure of the powerlines when the apparatus is a power strip mounted to the support structure.