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Bůsbaar®: Safe, Reliable Fast Charge Station for Buses
Fast charged electric and hybrid buses require a charging station to quickly transfer large amounts of power from the electric grid to the bus. While it is possible for the driver to get out and hook up a cable, it is far better to have an automatic overhead charging station that quickly and safely connects the bus to the high power charger. The Bůsbaar charging station has been elegantly designed using extremely well-engineered European heavy rail components in a safe, simple, reliable, unobtrusive and trustworthy system. When you choose the Opbrid Bůsbaar for your fast charge station, you can be assured that it will work many, many years, in all conditions, and rarely, if ever, break down.
Based on proven, durable, safety certified European heavy rail technology Opbrid has taken a different approach to charging station design than many of its competitors. Rather than inventing something new, we have borrowed heavily from the European heavy rail industry. Their long experience of transferring large amounts of electricity from overhead lines to electric locomotives has resulted in heavy duty components that are practically indestructible, with design lifetimes measured in decades instead of years. We have partnered with companies such as Schunk and Furrer+Frey to provide these exceptional components. Besides the exceptional reliability, safety and parts availability are also assured far into the future.
30-40 year design life in any weather The components used in the Opbrid Bůsbaar are designed for outdoor use in any weather on Earth. For example, the Bůsbaar pantographs are meant to live on top of trains for 30 or 40 years in winter and summer with very little maintenance. Almost a century of continuous improvements has resulted in components that are extremely durable and long lasting. Optionally, heating elements (again from the rail industry) can be added to prevent ice buildup in cold environments.
Common parts with ongoing rail operations for long term parts availability Charging stations for buses is a new industry, with new products and companies appearing and disappearing with unnerving frequency. The stations themselves will however last a very long time, so it is important to choose a station where you can be assured that replacement parts will always be available. The Opbrid Bůsbaar uses components that are shared with existing rail installations, so it will always be possible to buy additional stations and get replacement parts. Trustworthy suppliers in business 90 years We have chosen Furrer+Frey from Switzerland as one of our main partners. They have been in the business of making overhead lines for trains for over 90 years. This longevity has a number of benefits, for example, they can still provide parts for installations they made in the 1930's, as they keep engineering drawings and parts for everything they have ever made. Using trusted suppliers such as Furrer+Frey ensures high quality, service, warranties, as well as bringing their vast experience in electricity transfer to the new world of fast charged buses.
Based on proven rail safety equipment for the ultimate in safety. The curbside portion of the Opbrid Bůsbaar is based on the Furrer+Frey Moveable Conductor Rail rail depot safety system. This is a safety system that is used in rail depots when an electric train is being worked on. It consists of overhead conductor that allows a train to enter the depot under power, but then the overhead conductor can swing away from the train so that technicians can work on the roof of the train without any possibility of coming in contact with live electricity. Since the Moveable Conductor Rail was designed as safety equipment first and foremost, the Opbrid Bůsbaar is therefore also extremely safe.
Increased Safety The pantographs on top of the bus are typically separated by over 6 meters. Each pantograph is insulated from the chassis, and because the high voltage circuit is also insulated from the chassis, there is no danger just touching one pantograph even if you are also in contact with the chassis. The wide separation between pantographs makes it physically impossible to touch both the + and - of the high voltage supply at the same time. This makes it safer for technicians working on the roof, as well as in an accident or emergency situation. This is an additional level of safety, since the pantographs do not have any dangerous voltages when not actively charging. Furthermore, a safety system based on an Insulation Measuring Device (IMD) continually monitors the isolation of the charger during the charging process. This is the same system that is specified in the IEC 61851-23 DC charging specification.
Large stopping target for easy docking The Opbrid Bůsbaar was designed from the beginning to provide a very large target for docking the bus to the charging station. This large physical target makes it easy for the bus driver to line up the bus to the charging station in all types of weather and situations. The target is essentially as wide as the bus, and ½ the length of the bus. Since it is the physical dimensions and configuration of the charging station that determines the target, no complicated robotic docking mechanism is required. This is especially useful in difficult situations, and the Opbrid Bůsbaar was designed to work in large cities any where in the world.
Rises up from the road when not in use To avoid any possibility of collision between the roadside portion of the charger and tall vehicles, the charger rises up from the road when not in use to over 4.5 meters.
Semi or fully automatic docking Typically, a bus driver will stop the bus underneath the Opbrid Bůsbaar, then press a button to initiate the charging process. Charging will commence and proceed until the batteries are full, or the driver can stop charging manually. After the charging is complete, the driver can pull away from the station. Fully automatic operation is also possible, where the driver doesn't even have to press a button.
Unobtrusive and good looking The clean, simple design of the Opbrid Bůsbaar blends in easily with other roadside items like lighting and traffic signals. Many different styles of mounting posts can be selected to enhance this. It is also possible to incorporate the design into existing bus shelters and terminals.
De-energized and grounded for safety when not charging Since the Bůsbaar is based on the existing F+F depot safety equipment, it is extremely safe when not in use, as all exposed equipment is fully grounded and de-energized.
High current capacity for any future requirements. The use of heavy rail components in the Bůsbaar ensures that the current carrying capacity of the entire system is extremely high. Over 500A DC is easily achieved, with voltages to 1200V DC. All Bůsbaar components are very strong and simple, resulting in a system that is very vandal proof. The Bůsbaar is able to be installed in unattended locations in any city, anywhere in the world.
Easy integration and mounting for hybrid or electric buses The Shunk pantographs use standard compressed air or electric motors to raise and lower. Mounting is simple, four bolts connect the pantographs to the roof. Software changes are minimal, we can provide sample software and complete CANBUS command references. Essentially, a single CANBUS command instructs the Bůsbaar to connect, however much more information is also available. Once connected and electrically verified, the Bůsbaar returns a ready status. At this point, the batteries are connected and charging begins. A number of safety checks are done before charging, and run continually during charging. The Busbaar communication software handles all the details of conformance to the IEC 61851-24 and IEC/ISO 15118-2 specifications.
CE and all applicable European and worldwide safety approvals From the beginning, Opbrid has worked diligently to ensure that every component of the Bůsbaar is of exceptional quality, as well as being certified to all applicable standards. Opbrid maintains a list of countries where the Bůsbaar has been approved, and under what conditions. We work closely with European and International standards bodies to help develop safety and other standards that apply to this new product class. Opbrid SL is a member of the IEC subcommittee for the development of IEC 61851-24 Ed. 1.0 Electric vehicles conductive charging system - Part 24: Control communication protocol between off-board d.c. charger and electric vehicle, as well as IEC 61851-23 Ed. 1.0 Electric vehicle conductive charging system - Part 23: D.C electric vehicle charging station.
Standards Practically any bus and any charger can be used with the Bůsbaar. CANBus is used throughout for connection with existing bus and charger systems. Mounting and connecting the vehicle components is relatively straightforward. The Schunk pantographs bolt to the roof of the bus, and connecting the system requires only a 24 V, earth, and CAN bus connection to operate.
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 12 May 2013 10:23 |
