System for inductive power transfer, pavement slab assembly and method of operating a system for inductive power transfer

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for inductive power transfer to vehicles driving or standing on a surface of a route, in particular to road automobiles, wherein the system includes a primary winding structure for generating an alternating electromagnetic field, wherein a field volume (FV) is assigned to the primary winding structure, wherein the system includes at least a part of a first heating system, wherein elements of the first heating system which are arranged within the field volume (FV) are non-metallic elements. Further, the invention relates to a pavement slab assembly and a method of operating a system for inductive power transfer.

Claims

1. A system for inductive power transfer to vehicles driving or standing on a surface of a route, comprising: a primary winding structure for generating an alternating electromagnetic field, wherein a field volume is assigned to the primary winding structure; and at least a part of a first heating system, wherein elements of the first heating system which are arranged within the field volume are non-metallic elements, wherein the system comprises at least a part of at least one other heating system, wherein all elements of the at least one other heating system are arranged outside the field volume.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first heating system and/or the at least one other heating system comprises a hydronic heating system.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the elements of the first heating system and/or the elements of the at least one other heating system comprise at least one transporting means for an operating fluid.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising at least one connecting means for connecting the at least one transporting means to an external fluid supply.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the other heating system is an electric heating system.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the first heating system is arranged under and/or over the primary winding structure.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cable bearing element, wherein at least a part of the first heating system is arranged under and/or over the cable bearing element.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cable bearing element, wherein at least a part of the first heating system is arranged within the cable bearing element.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the cable bearing element comprises receiving means for receiving at least a part of the first heating system.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one thermal insulation element, wherein the at least one thermal insulation element is arranged under the part of the first heating system and/or the at least one other heating system.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a reference surface and/or at least one snow sensor and/or at least one ambient temperature sensor.

12. A pavement slab assembly for a route for vehicles driving or standing on a surface of the route, comprising a system according to claim 1, wherein the pavement slab assembly consists at least partially of pavement material.

13. A method of operating a system according to claim 1, comprising activating the first heating system and/or the at least one other heating system.

14. The method according to claim 13, the method further comprising operating the first heating system and/or the at least one other heating system, depending on a temperature of a reference surface of the primary winding structure and/or an ambient air temperature and/or depending on a presence of a winter contaminant on the reference surface.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising operating the first heating system and/or the at least one other heating system in response to a winter contaminant being predicted.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising operating the first heating system and/or the at least one other heating system such that a temperature of at least a portion or point of a reference surface of the primary winding structure is higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature.

17. A method for building a system for inductive power transfer to vehicles driving or standing on a surface of a route, the method comprising: providing a primary winding structure, wherein a field volume is assigned to the primary winding structure; providing at least a part of a first heating system; arranging elements of the first heating system such that elements of the first heating system which are arranged within the field volume are non-metallic elements; and providing at least a part of at least one other heating system, wherein all elements of the at least one other heating system are arranged outside the field volume.

18. A method of building a pavement slab assembly, the method comprising: providing a casting mould; providing a primary winding structure, wherein a field volume is assigned to the primary winding structure; arranging the primary winding structure within the casting mould; casting pavement material into the casting mould; providing at least a part of a first heating system; arranging elements of the first heating system within the casting mould, wherein elements of the first heating system which are arranged within the field volume are non-metallic elements; and providing at least a part of at least one other heating system, wherein all elements of the at least one other heating system are arranged outside the field volume.

19. A method for building a route for vehicles driving or standing on a surface of the route, the method comprising: providing a plurality of pavement slab assemblies according to the method of claim 18; and installing the pavement slab assemblies on a prepared base or foundation such that a driving surface or standing surface for vehicles which are driving or standing on the route is provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Examples and preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the attached figures which show:

(2) FIG. 1 a top view on a pavement slab assembly,

(3) FIG. 2 a cross section through the pavement slab assembly shown in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 a cross section through a pavement slab assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention,

(5) FIG. 4 a cross section through a pavement slab assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention,

(6) FIG. 5 a cross section through a pavement slab assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention,

(7) FIG. 6 a cross section through a pavement slab assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention and

(8) FIG. 7 a top view on a pavement slab assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a top view on a pavement slab assembly 1. The pavement slab assembly 1 comprises a primary winding structure 2. It is shown that the primary winding structure 2 comprises three phase lines which extend along a longitudinal direction x in a meandering course. The phase lines are provided by electric lines 8.

(10) The primary winding structure 2, in particular the phase lines, are arranged under an upper surface 3 of the pavement slab assembly 1 (see FIG. 2). The upper surface 3 provides a reference surface of the primary winding structure 2. The upper surface 3 comprises a first area A1 with a rectangular shape. The phase lines of the primary winding structure 2 are arranged within the first area A1 if the primary winding structure 2 is projected onto the upper surface 3 along a vertical direction z (see FIG. 2). The first area A1 can e.g. be enclosed by an envelope of the primary winding structure 2 which is projected into the upper surface 3. Further shown is a cable bearing element 5 which comprises the primary winding structure 2 (see FIG. 1). It is shown that the width W_A1 is larger than a width of the cable bearing element 5.

(11) Although it is shown that the phase lines are completely arranged within the first area A1, it is possible that a section of the phase lines, e.g. connecting sections to an external power supply, or terminal sections of the phase lines, are arranged outside the first area A1. It is, however, important that the first area A1 comprises the sections of the phase lines of the primary winding structure 2 which generate the electromagnetic field or at least a major portion, e.g. 80%, 90% or 95% of the electromagnetic field.

(12) Further shown is a lateral direction y which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x. A plane spanned by the longitudinal direction x and the lateral direction y is oriented parallel to the upper surface 3. The first area has a predetermined length L_A1, wherein the length is measured along the longitudinal direction x. The length L_A1 can e.g. be 3.6 m. The length L_A1 of the first area A1 can be larger than the length of the cable bearing element 5.

(13) Further shown is another area A2 of the upper surface 3 which encloses the first area A1. In the embodiment shown, the other area A2 comprises the remaining parts of the upper surface 3 of the pavement slab assembly. In particular, the primary winding structure 2 is not arranged within the other area A2 if projected to the upper surface 3 along the vertical direction z.

(14) The pavement slab assembly 1 has a predetermined length L_1. The length L_1 of the pavement slab assembly 1 can e.g. be 7.5 m. Also shown is the pavement slab assembly 1 has a predetermined width W_1. The width W_1 can e.g. be 3.5 m. Further shown are wheels 4 of a vehicle, e.g. a bus. A width W_4 of the vehicle can be smaller than the width W_1 of the pavement slab assembly 1 and/or larger than the width W_A1 (see FIG. 2) of the first area A1. The width W_4 of the vehicle can e.g. be 2.195 m. It is, however, also possible that the width W_4 of the vehicle can be larger than the width W_1 of the pavement slab assembly 1 or smaller than the width W_A1 of the first area A1.

(15) The dimensions of the first and the second area A1, A2 can be chosen such that a vehicle to be charged can be completely arranged above the second area A2 or a portion thereof. This feature, however, is not a mandatory feature. The second area A2 can e.g. be chosen as large as the street lane and at least as long as the vehicle itself.

(16) FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1. It is shown that the wheels 4 of the vehicle (not shown) can be arranged on the upper surface 3 of the pavement slab assembly 1.

(17) An upper surface of the cable bearing element 5 is arranged with a predetermined distance from the upper surface 3 of the pavement slab assembly 1 along the vertical direction z. Thus, also the primary winding structure 2 is arranged with a predetermined distance from the upper surface 3 of the pavement slab assembly 1 along the vertical direction z.

(18) It is shown that the pavement slab 1 consists of a slab body 6 and a surface layer 7. The surface layer 7 is arranged above the body 6 and provides the surface area 3. The body 6 has a cuboid shape with a length L_1, a width W_1 (see FIG. 1) and a height H_1. The height H_1 can e.g. be 0.215 m. The surface layer 7 features the same length L_1 and width W_1 and has a height H_7. A height H_7 of the surface layer 7 can e.g. be 0.035 m. The cable bearing element 5 is integrated into the body 6 and covered by the surface layer 7.

(19) Further indicated is the first area A1 on the surface area 3 provided by the surface layer 7.

(20) FIG. 3 shows a cross section section of a pavement slab assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The pavement slab assembly 1 is mostly designed as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In the cross section shown in FIG. 3, electric lines 8 which provide the primary winding structure 2 are shown exemplarily. It is shown that the electric lines 8 are arranged in a top portion of the cable bearing element 5 with respect to the vertical direction z.

(21) Further indicated is the first area A1 on the surface area 3 provided by the surface layer 7. The first area A1 has a width W_A1. It is shown that the width W_A1 of the first area A1 is larger than the width of the cable bearing element 5 along the lateral direction y. Not shown is a length of the first area L_A1 (see FIG. 1). Thus, if the cable bearing element 5 (and the electric lines 8 guided by the cable bearing element 5) are projected onto the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z, they are arranged within the first area A1. The first area A1 can also be referred to as charging area.

(22) A field volume FV assigned to the primary winding structure 2 can e.g. be given by a cuboid volume, wherein the height of the cuboid volume extends along the vertical direction z and the length and width of the cuboid volume are chosen such that the cuboid volume comprises the first area A1. The height of the cuboid volume can be larger than the sum of the height H_1 of the body 6 and the height H_7 of the surface layer 7. In FIG. 3, the field volume FV is indicated by dashed lines. The primary winding structure 2 can be arranged in the centre of the field volume FV, in particular with respect to the vertical direction z.

(23) In contrast to the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a part of a first heating system. Within the cross section shown in FIG. 3 piping elements 9 of the first heating system are shown. Also shown are elements 10 of a second heating system.

(24) The first heating system is designed as a hydronic heating system. The piping elements 9 can e.g. be provided by pipes or hoses. It is shown that the piping elements 9 are arranged within the field volume FV. In particular, if projected onto the surface layer 3 along the vertical direction z, the piping elements 9 are arranged within the first area A1.

(25) With respect to the vertical direction z, the piping elements 9 are arranged above primary winding structure 2 (see FIG. 1), in particular above the electric lines 8 providing the primary winding structure 1. Further shown is that the piping elements 9 are arranged above a top surface of the cable bearing element 5 with a predetermined distance (not shown). The piping elements 9 are integrated into the surface layer 7. In this context, this can mean that pavement material is arranged in between the surface area 3 provided by an upper surface of the surface layer 7 and the piping elements 9 and in between a bottom surface of the surface layer 7 and the piping elements 9. The piping elements 9 are not integrated into the cable bearing element 5.

(26) An operating fluid (not shown) can flow through the piping elements 9. The operating fluid can be provided to the piping elements 9, in particular to an inlet of the piping elements (not shown), with a predetermined temperature. Thus, thermal energy can be transferred from the operating fluid flowing through the piping elements 9 to an environment of the piping elements 9 and, in particular to the first area A1 of the surface area 3.

(27) It is shown that the piping elements 9 are arranged with a predetermined (small) distance from the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z. The distance can be, in particular, chosen such that a desired transfer of thermal energy to the surface area 3, in particular the first area A1, can be provided.

(28) The piping elements 9 are made of non-metallic material. Further, the material of the piping elements 9 can have a predetermined thermal conductivity.

(29) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the cable bearing elements 5 and the primary winding structure 2 carried by the cable bearing element 5 can be used according to their actual design concept. Thus, no modification of the cable bearing element 5 is necessary. However, the height H_7 of the surface layer may be incremented, in order to be able to integrate the piping elements 9.

(30) The elements 10 of the second heating system can e.g. be provided by resistive cables having a predetermined resistance. In this case, the second heating system is provided by an electric heating system. If electric power is supplied to such cables, a current will flow through the cables and thermal energy will be generated. The generated thermal energy can also be transferred to the surface area 3, in particular to the second area A2 (see FIG. 1).

(31) It is shown that the elements 10 of the second heating system are arranged outside the field volume FV. In particular, if projected onto the surface layer 3, the elements 10 of the second heating system are arranged outside the first area A1 but within the second area A2 (see FIG. 1).

(32) Alternatively, elements 10 of the second heating system can be provided by piping elements, e.g. pipes or hoses. In this case, the second heating system can be provided by a hydronic heating system, wherein an operating fluid with a predetermined temperature is supplied to the piping elements and thermal energy is transferred from the piping elements 10 to an environment of the piping elements, in particular to the surface area 3, more particular to the second area A2. In this case, the piping elements 9 and the elements 10 can be parts of a single hydronic heating system which e.g. comprises a common heat source and/or pumping means. Further, elements 10 and piping elements 9 can provide different sections of the same fluid circuitry in this case. Also, fluid control means such as valves can be designed and/or arranged such that a fluid flow through the different sections of the fluid circuitry can be controlled individually.

(33) Alternatively, the piping elements 9 and the elements 10 can be parts of two independent hydronic heating systems. In this case, the first and the second heating system can be separate systems which can e.g. be controlled individually.

(34) It is shown that the elements 10 of the second heating system are integrated into the body 6. In this context, this can mean that pavement material is arranged in between a top surface of the body 6 and the elements 10 and in between a bottom surface of the body 6 and the elements 10. Further shown is that the elements 10 are arranged with a predetermined distance d_10 from the surface area 3. The distance d_10 can e.g. be chosen from a range of 0.05 m to 0.08 m.

(35) In general, it is also possible that only a single heating system is provided, wherein parts of the single heating system are arranged within the field volume FV, e.g. within the first area A1 if projected onto the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z, and other parts of the single heating system are arranged outside the field volume FV, e.g. within the second area A2 if projected onto the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z. In this case, it is important that the elements of the single heating system which are arranged within the field volume FV, e.g. the first area A1 if projected onto the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z, are made of non-metallic material.

(36) FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a pavement slab assembly 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

(37) The pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 4 is for the most part designed as the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 3. In contrast to the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 3, the piping elements 9 of the first heating system are integrated into the cable bearing element 5. It is shown that the piping elements 9 are arranged with a predetermined distance under or below a top surface of the cable bearing element 5 and predetermined distance above a bottom surface of the cable bearing element 5 with respect to the vertical direction z. However, the piping elements 9 are arranged above the electric lines 8 providing the primary winding structure 2 (see FIG. 1). In this case, the cable bearing element 5 can comprise recesses for receiving the piping elements 9. The top surface of the cable bearing element 5 is covered by the surface layer 7. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a height H_7 of the surface layer 7 can be smaller than the height H_7 shown in FIG. 3, e.g. 0.035 m. Thus, the pavement slab assembly 1 can have a more compact design.

(38) It is important that the piping elements 9 of the first heating system are arranged within the field volume FV. In particular, if projected onto the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z, the piping elements 9 are arranged within the first area A1.

(39) The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 allows avoiding an increase of the height H_7 of the surface layer 7 due to the integration of piping elements 9. Another advantage is that heat generated by the primary winding structure 2 can be better recovered by the first heating system. In particular, heat generated by the primary winding structure 2 can be transferred to the operating fluid of the first heating system which, in turn, reduces a temperature drop of the operating fluid during operation. Thus, less energy is needed to reheat the operating fluid.

(40) FIG. 5 shows a cross section of another embodiment of a pavement slab assembly 1. The pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 5 is mostly designed as the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 4. In contrast to the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 4, the piping elements 9 are arranged within a bottom portion of the cable bearing element 5. A bottom portion of the cable bearing element 5 can e.g. comprise a lower half or a lower third of the cable bearing element 5. This means that the piping elements 9 are arranged under the electric lines 8 providing the primary winding structure 2 (see FIG. 1). However, piping elements 9 are still arranged within the field volume FV. In particular, if projected onto the surface area 3, piping elements 9 are still arranged within the first area A1.

(41) In this case, a distance from a top surface of the cable bearing element 5 to the piping elements 9 along the vertical direction z can be larger than a distance of the electric lines 8 to the top surface. Also, a distance of the piping elements 9 to a bottom surface of the cable bearing element 5 along the vertical direction z can be smaller than a distance of the electric lines 8 to the bottom surface. This distances, however, can depend on a design, e.g. a thickness or height, of the cable bearing element 5.

(42) As seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 the piping elements 9 can also be arranged at any other position under or above the primary winding structure 2.

(43) Further shown is a thermal insulation element 11. The insulation element 11 is arranged under the piping element 9. It is shown that the insulation element 11 and the cable bearing element 5 are separate elements. This means that a distance of an upper surface of the insulation element 11 to the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z is larger than a distance of the bottom surface of the cable bearing element 5 to the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z.

(44) As the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the pavement slab assembly 1 shown in FIG. 5 advantageously allows avoiding an increase of the height H_7 of the surface layer 7.

(45) However, the piping elements 9 may have to be designed such that a higher thermal power can be delivered by the piping elements 9. This can e.g. mean that a diameter of piping elements 9 may be larger than a diameter of the piping elements 9 shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 3. However, an actual design of the cable bearing element 5, in particular of a top portion of the cable bearing element 5 which receives the electric lines 8 does not need to be modified. Only a bottom portion of the cable element 5 may have to be modified in order to receive the piping elements 9 of the first heating system.

(46) FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a pavement slab assembly 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. A cable bearing element 5 is integrated into a body 6 of the pavement slab assembly 1. Piping elements 9 of a first heating system are arranged above the cable bearing element 5. The piping elements 9 are integrated into a surface layer 7 of the pavement slab assembly 1. Further integrated into the body 6 of the pavement slab assembly 1 is an insulation element 11 which is arranged under the cable bearing element 5.

(47) Further shown are connecting means C1 of the piping elements 9 of the first heating system to a remaining part 12 of the first heating system and connecting means C2 of the elements 10 of the second heating system to a remaining part 13 of the second heating system. The remaining part 12 of the first heating system can e.g. be a part of a fluid circuitry which comprises a pumping element, a heat pump and/or a heat source for heating an operating fluid running through the fluid circuitry. The connecting means C1 are arranged at a bottom surface of the pavement slab assembly 1. In this case, vertically extending fluid connection means are provided, which connect the piping elements 9 with the connecting means C1. The connecting means C1 can e.g. be designed as inlet/outlet.

(48) The piping elements 9 are arranged in a plane which is oriented perpendicular to the vertical direction z. The vertical connection means extend along the vertical direction z.

(49) In a similar manner, the elements 10 of the second heating system are arranged in a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical direction z. Vertically extending connecting means for connecting the elements 10 of the second heating system to their respective connecting means C2 also extend in the vertical direction. The second heating system can be designed as an electrical heating system or, as described previously, a hydronic heating system. Thus, the remaining part 13 of the second heating system can comprise a voltage supply means. Depending on the type of the second heating system, the connecting means C2 can be designed as electrical connector or inlet/outlet.

(50) FIG. 7 shows a top view on the elements 10 and the piping elements 9 of the second and the first heating system. It is shown that the piping elements 9 extend within the field volume FV (see e.g. FIG. 3), e.g. within the first area A1, along the longitudinal direction x in a meandering manner (if projected onto the surface area 3 along the vertical direction z). The piping elements 9 provide a part of a closed fluid circuit of the first heating system. In FIG. 7, two connecting means C1 for the piping elements 9 to a remaining part 12 of the first heating system are shown.

(51) Also shown are the elements 10 of the second heating system which are arranged outside the field volume FV (see e.g. FIG. 3). The elements 10 are arranged such that a second area A2 is covered by elements 10 if projected onto the surface area 3 along a vertical direction z (see FIG. 3). With respect to the longitudinal direction x and a lateral direction y, the elements 10 of the second heating system are arranged in rows, wherein the elements 10 in one row extend in a meandering manner along the longitudinal direction x. At the end of each row, a connecting element to the next row (with respect to the lateral direction y) can be provided.

(52) Also, elements 10 can provide a portion of a closed fluid circuitry. Two connecting means C2 to a remaining part 13 of the second heating system are shown which allow an operating fluid to flow into and out of the elements 10 of the second heating system.