Chapter 1344
Seminar: Subway and Train Plans Finalized, Li Aiguo's Vision for High-Speed Rail
"Teacher, I was just about to report to you."
Seeing that Liu Guozhang was in a hurry, Li Aiguo didn't waste any time and took out the materials he had prepared.
"You finished it so quickly?" Liu Guozhang was somewhat surprised, and reached out to take the documents and quickly flipped through them.
Although the material was made in a hurry, there are still many places where the writing has been altered and has not been rewritten.
However, as the director of a research institute, Liu Guozhang could still see that what Li Aiguo was doing was quite interesting.
"There will be a discussion at the institute tomorrow. Please bring your materials with you."
After giving him a few words of advice, Liu Guozhang hurriedly left.
In this era, choosing a technological development path is never just a contest of technology; it often involves intricate games and struggles.
This time, the enemy came with great force, and Liu Guozhang dared not be careless and needed to find some helpers.
Li Aiguo appeared quite calm about tomorrow's meeting.
When he got home from get off work, the aroma of food filled the courtyard. Chen Xueru had already prepared dinner and was waiting for him.
After finishing his meal, he went into his study and copied all the materials onto new manuscript paper.
This thing is too hard on the wrists. If I had the chance, I should also make a printer.
Considering the timeline, current computer technology has evolved considerably, and its performance is fully capable of keeping up.
All those office software programs need to be installed; we must unleash our productivity!
He was busy until midnight before he finally finished. He put the manuscript paper into a file folder, stretched, and went into the inner room.
Now all three children have their own rooms and have fallen asleep early. Chen Xueru is leaning against the headboard reading a book.
Since taking on the leadership role, she has also intensified her ideological studies, learning theoretical knowledge every day.
Seeing Li Aiguo come in, Chen Xueru put the red book on the bedside table and lifted a corner of the quilt.
After Li Aiguo crawled in and lay down, she snuggled up to him and whispered, "Brother Aiguo, He Yushui's birthday is in a couple of days."
"Look, she's officially an adult this year. Shouldn't we prepare a gift to celebrate?"
"You decide what to do," Li Aiguo said, finding it an overreaction.
These days, the concept of a "coming-of-age ceremony" is no longer popular.
For ordinary families, a birthday celebration is considered a grand occasion if they can eat plain white dumplings or boil an egg for good luck.
If I really wanted to give a gift, it would be something like a notebook or a Hero brand fountain pen.
Chen Xueru had long regarded He Yushui as her own sister and was very enthusiastic about it.
"This year's rainy season is crucial for the college entrance exam! How about this, I pick out a nice set of stationery for her? Like a tin pencil case, a high-quality fountain pen or something."
Let's also give her two jars of face cream. At her age, she cares about her appearance too, what do you think?
“That’s good. There are industrial coupons in the drawer. Go to the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow.”
Li Aiguo yawned, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep.
Looking at the rough, sprawled man beside her, Chen Xueru initially felt a little resentful that he was unromantic.
But then she thought about it again. The rough man had been working long hours every day for the project, and her little temper suddenly turned into tenderness.
She gently tucked the blanket around Li Aiguo before reaching out to turn off the lamp.
The night was quiet.
The next day, the capital city enjoyed a rare sunny day.
The morning sun shone brightly, bathing the entire capital city in golden light.
However, in stark contrast to the bright spring sunshine outside...
The atmosphere in a guest room at the Beijing Railway Science Research Institute's guesthouse was oppressive and somber.
As Chief Engineer Liao put on his gray Zhongshan suit, he pondered what kind of scheme Liu Guozhang was up to.
This story begins with the preparation of electric locomotives for the subway.
Jichun Bus Factory was the best choice because it already had experience in researching subway electric locomotives.
General Manager Liao is a senior employee with a PhD from the Soviet Union, so it's natural that he would take the lead.
He then set up a project team, submitted a project plan, and received strong support from the Zhuzhou Institute.
It's important to know that in those days, Zhuzhou Institute was one of the few research institutes that had ever manufactured electric trains. Although it never went into mass production, it was still a leading institution in the field of electric trains.
This project was already a done deal.
But who could have imagined that a Cheng Yaojin would suddenly appear out of nowhere!
The project was stalled by a five-person team from the subway research institute, whose leader was Liu Guozhang, the director of the institute.
That's why we're holding this meeting today to discuss this issue.
"Teacher, I just received a call from the director's office at the Railway Science Research Institute. The meeting is being held in the large conference room on the second floor." The assistant pushed open the door and came in to report the situation.
"Has Director Zhao from the Zhuzhou Institute arrived?"
Director Zhao and Chief Engineer Liao were bunkmates in college and had a very good relationship.
"They've already arrived, and they brought several engineers with them."
Hearing this, Chief Engineer Liao felt relieved. Although the Zhuzhou Institute was a local research institute, it was an authority in electric trains, and even Liu Guozhang had to take it seriously.
"Let's go to the meeting."
"Teacher, I really feel this meeting is frustrating, and it was completely unnecessary!"
Since their Railway Technology Research Institute is unwilling to get involved, then our Jichun Factory will just do it on its own!
Their railway technology institute isn't a ministry directly under our jurisdiction, so what right do they have to interfere with our projects and try to cut off our access?
The assistant said angrily as he opened the door.
"You know nothing! The debate about which development path subways and trains should take is just an internal academic and strategic discussion!"
If everyone can't work together with one mind and a united spirit, how can this work be carried out? How can the overall situation be taken care of?
Chief Engineer Liao firmly believes that his proposal to replicate the model was not for personal power struggles, but for the greater good of getting the Beijing subway operational as soon as possible.
After being scolded so harshly by the teacher, the assistant deflated like a punctured balloon and dared not utter another word.
When Chief Engineer Liao arrived at the conference room, leaders and technicians from the Dalian Institute, Sifang Vehicle Research Institute, Datong Institute, Changzhou Institute, and Jinan Research Office were all there.
This is practically a martial arts tournament within the railway system!
Chief Engineer Liao saw Director Zhao and several engineers from the Zhuzhou Institute sitting in the second row, and nodded slightly to them, as if to make an agreement before launching a battle.
Seeing Chief Engineer Liao's serious and prepared demeanor, Director Zhao smiled with a sense of relief.
Old Liao, you're always so tense.
It's obvious that today's technical discussion will be a one-sided, crushing victory!
People gradually entered the conference room. They were all train researchers and acquaintances, and people greeted each other from time to time.
Many engineers' eyes fell on the young man who followed Liu Guozhang in, and they couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.
"Hey? Who's this young man? He looks completely unfamiliar."
"You don't even recognize him? That's Li Aiguo! The genius who came up with that new railway signaling system!"
"Uh...it's him?!"
Upon hearing that it was Li Aiguo, the engineers present immediately realized who it was.
Today, the railway signaling system that Li Aiguo developed has not only been fully implemented in China, but has even become an internationally accepted standard!
It has even been included in railway major textbooks of major transportation colleges and universities.
The engineers were still puzzled by Li Aiguo's presence there.
Does he know anything about electric trains?
These are two completely different technology tracks!
Could it be that they are supporting Liu Guozhang?
Sitting in the front row, Chief Engineer Liao frowned slightly as he watched this scene, feeling that something was amiss.
He had been dealing with Liu Guozhang for quite some time.
Although Liu Guozhang was not formally trained in technology, he always respected the opinions of professionals and was by no means the kind of person who liked to make decisions unilaterally.
Otherwise, Chief Engineer Liao wouldn't be sitting here attending this meeting today.
But what exactly is Li Aiguo's appearance all about?
Before Chief Engineer Liao could even get a clue, Liu Guozhang had already taken his seat in the center of the stage.
"Dear colleagues, I'm sure you all know why we've come all this way here today."
The subway and electric train project is crucial to the development of our capital city, and we must proceed with utmost caution!
Just a few days ago, we received two completely different technical proposals for this project.
These words caused an uproar at the scene.
"What?! Two proposals?"
"How is that possible! Apart from the Zhuzhou Institute and our Jichun Plant joining forces, which other domestic institution has the capability to conduct in-depth research on electric locomotives and come up with a complete solution?"
The engineers below looked at each other, discussing amongst themselves.
Chief Engineer Liao was also stunned, and his gaze involuntarily turned to Li Aiguo, who was sitting not far away.
Could it be... that he came up with the other plan? That's impossible!
Just then, Liu Guozhang tapped the table to signal everyone to be quiet, and then said, "Next, let's invite Chief Engineer Liao from Jichun Factory to come up on stage and introduce his plan to everyone."
Chief Engineer Liao composed himself. Regardless of the truth of the matter, it was impossible for any domestic solution to surpass that of the Big Brother.
He straightened his back, walked to the podium, and took out the plan he had prepared long ago.
"Distinguished leaders and colleagues, the proposal I've brought today is codenamed 'DK1 Electric Train'! Its specific technical details are mainly based on..."
In fact, since the electric train project was first planned, domestic research institutes have been keeping a close eye on DK1 and have a very good understanding of it.
What Chief Engineer Liao said on stage was basically the same old stuff that everyone knew by heart; he didn't come up with anything new or eye-opening.
Therefore, he reported very quickly, and no one raised their hand to ask questions or interrupt him.
"...That concludes my presentation on the DK1 solution. Thank you all!"
As soon as Chief Engineer Liao finished speaking, Director Zhao of the Zhuzhou Institute, who was sitting in the second row, immediately took the lead in standing up and applauding enthusiastically.
"I think Lao Liao's plan is pretty good. Currently, there are only three major companies operating electric subways and trains overseas."
The eldest brother's family, Little Mei's family, and the French family—of course, the French family is just messing around, so their story doesn't count.
Upon hearing this, a knowing burst of laughter erupted in the conference room.
The Gallic family has always been known for its romantic atmosphere within its extended family.
It would be one thing if they were just indulging in romance in their art and daily lives, but these guys went so far as to create romance on the subway and trains.
They actually put rubber tires on the wheels of the subway trains!
This incident became an amusing anecdote in the train industry.
"Therefore, considering our country's actual industrial base and technological status, the only development direction we can choose is to fully introduce and imitate the technology of our big brother!"
Director Zhao made the final decision: "Here, on behalf of the Zhuzhou Institute, I fully support Chief Engineer Liao's DK1 solution!"
As soon as Director Zhao finished speaking, a chorus of agreement erupted in the conference room, and he quickly gained the explicit support of representatives from several other local research institutes.
Standing on the stage, Chief Engineer Liao looked at the one-sided situation below the audience and couldn't help but smile slightly.
It's a sure thing! This time it's absolutely guaranteed!
However, Liu Guozhang, sitting in the center of the stage, nodded noncommittally, pressed his hands down, and only spoke slowly after the room quieted down again.
"Alright, everyone has understood Chief Engineer Liao's plan. Now, please welcome Comrade Li Aiguo to the stage."
Amidst a sea of gazes, Li Aiguo walked onto the stage with the materials, his eyes sweeping over the faces of the engineers, experts, and leaders.
He only spoke after the scene had completely quieted down.
"The subway train technology solution I'm bringing today is called the VVVF electric train!"
Wow!
The scene instantly erupted in cheers.
Several young engineers immediately stood up.
"Back then, the older brother also tried VVVF, but he didn't succeed. And Westinghouse Electric, owned by Xiaomei, also spent a lot of money, but in the end, they got nothing!"
"Yeah, you're just being reckless."
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Liu Guozhang's face darkened, and he slammed his fist on the table a few times.
"What's all this noise about! Is this a vegetable market? Let Comrade Patriot finish speaking first!"
The scene quieted down again.
Li Aiguo didn't continue speaking. Instead, he looked at the engineers and asked, "Just because foreign countries can't do it, does that mean we can't either?"
The scene fell silent instantly.
Li Aiguo wasn't just spouting empty rhetoric; he believed that following others in development would inevitably lead to dependence. Hearing this, Chief Engineer Liao, sitting in the front row, jolted and nodded thoughtfully.
Regardless of the technical solution, he agreed with Li Aiguo's statement.
“Comrade Li Aiguo, anyone can say nice things, but when it comes to electric trains, it’s not just bragging.” A young engineer couldn’t help but stand up.
Li Aiguo smiled but didn't respond to his comment. Instead, he asked Chief Engineer Zhang to bring over the blackboard.
He picked up the chalk and started writing and drawing on it while talking.
"The difficulty in manufacturing VVVF AC subway trains lies in using computer-controlled voltage and frequency to control the speed of AC asynchronous motors."
"As for the computer part, there is no need to worry. The Red Star Computer Research Institute has made a breakthrough and can provide hardware support."
Now our focus should be on the design of the traction inverter…
"Inside the traction inverter, the core component is a high-power semiconductor, the GTO thyristor module!"
"For power supply, we use overhead contact lines. We can certainly use DC 1500V for power..."
As for the modulation method, we use SPWM, which is sinusoidal pulse width modulation technology..."
When Chief Engineer Liao first heard Li Aiguo speak, he didn't really take it seriously.
After all, the core principles of VVVF communication subway trains are no secret in academia.
This is similar to the principle behind mushroom eggs, which everyone knows; it's a very common product.
You could count the number of people who can actually make this thing on one hand!
The key is still how to handle the technical details.
However, as Li Aiguo's explanation went into more detail, the nonchalant look on Chief Engineer Liao's face gradually disappeared.
Finally, he couldn't resist, pulled his notebook out of his pocket, unscrewed the pen, and began to take notes.
The engineers were also whispering among themselves.
"Hiss... that circuit compensation solution he just mentioned actually seems to have some merit!"
"It's more than just having a knack for it! Look at that brushless structure he designed! My God, if it could really be realized, how much maintenance could be reduced later on? It's simply a genius idea!"
"I think the most ingenious thing is that top contact current collector shoe, which is many times safer than the sliding contact of the older brother."
"Oh dear, stop talking! I didn't quite understand the parameter settings for the GTO thyristor he mentioned earlier! Quick, quick, someone write them down, I can copy them!"
What Li Aiguo said was like listening to gibberish to laymen.
But for the top engineers present, it was like rain after a long drought!
The more I listened, the more enlightened I felt!
Immediately, the engineers also picked up their notebooks and pens.
What should have been a lively technical discussion has now turned into a classroom session.
Liu Guozhang, who was sitting next to him, was also dumbfounded.
He had also heard that Li Aiguo now enjoyed giving lectures, lecturing to safety investigators, lecturing to flight teams, and now, even lecturing to a group of train design engineers.
He felt that he had underestimated the value of what Li Aiguo had brought out.
Director Zhao of the Zhuzhou Institute looked rather grim at this moment.
Since the failure of the last electric train project, although we haven't been criticized, the impact has been very negative.
Director Zhao has already made a plan: once the DK1 project is launched, the Zhuzhou Institute and Jichun Factory will work together to restore their prestige.
Now, out of nowhere, Li Aiguo has appeared.
Li Aiguo had already covered most of the material. It contained only the general technical information, and it was impossible to explain everything. Moreover, it included many sensitive technologies.
"That's all. What are your thoughts?" Li Aiguo said casually at the end.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Director Zhao eagerly raised his hand and loudly challenged him.
"Patriotic Comrade! I don't deny that the theoretical framework you just presented was indeed very impressive and ahead of its time! But!"
“We don’t even have the capacity to mass-produce high-power semiconductor devices right now. For example, the GTO thyristor 4500V/3000A specification you just mentioned, we can’t even make laboratory samples in China right now.”
Without core components, everything is just empty talk.
It must be said that laymen watch the spectacle, while experts see the details, and Director Zhao is one of those experts.
As Director Zhao finished speaking, the passion that had just been ignited in the conference room instantly cooled down.
All eyes were on Li Aiguo.
Yes, even if the design drawings are perfect, if you can't manufacture the parts, then it's all for nothing.
Li Aiguo nodded slightly: "Director Zhao, the two questions you raised are indeed very pertinent. Your expertise in the field of electric trains is truly admirable."
Upon hearing this, Director Zhao couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face, but Li Aiguo's next words made his expression change.
"Let's talk about high-power semiconductor devices first. You're right, China can't produce GTO thyristors at the moment, and even the stability of ordinary thyristors doesn't meet the requirements. But we can take two steps."
The first step was to collaborate with the Red Star Computer Institute.
First, we need to overcome the purification process of semiconductor materials, focusing on breakthroughs in the preparation technology of high-purity silicon wafers to solve the problem of device instability caused by excessive impurity content.
At the same time, a special task force was established to independently develop the doping, oxidation, and photolithography processes for thyristors, starting with small-scale laboratory prototypes and gradually scaling up production.
"As for the H-class insulation of three-phase asynchronous motors, we can cooperate with the 201 Research Institute. They have now developed a process for purifying and processing domestically produced mica tape."
The next step is simply to use silicone resin to create a composite insulation structure.
The entire room was completely silent!
What is a dimensional reduction attack? This is a dimensional reduction attack!
The power of Li Aiguo's strategic planning among various research institutes over the years is now becoming apparent.
In this era, various research institutes have been conducting research on such high-tech products to varying degrees.
Some technologies were developed but not put into practical use, and were thus shelved.
Just like the fiber optic communication technology that became widely known in later generations.
In fact, as early as the late 60s and early 70s, domestic research institutes such as the Postal and Telecommunications Research Institute and the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics had already begun to tackle the challenges of optical fiber materials and optical communication principles.
Short-distance optical signal transmission has even been achieved in laboratories!
The first generation of simple CNC prototypes also took shape during this period.
Unfortunately, these groundbreaking technologies failed to be widely adopted in time.
As a result, in the 1980s and 1990s, those foreigners actually gained a huge advantage and turned around to hold us by the throat!
Li Aiguo, having come to this era, naturally wouldn't allow something like this to happen again.
Director Zhao had no idea that those research institutes had actually developed these technologies, and his face immediately turned ugly.
For a moment, Director Zhao's situation became extremely awkward.
But he was unwilling to give up just like that.
"Patriotic comrade! Even... even if you can solve the materials problem!"
How can you assure the organization that this unprecedented VVVF electric train will meet performance standards once it is manufactured?
"Absolutely no safety issues? And...and the exorbitant research and development costs, have you even considered that?!"
Seeing that Director Zhao was starting to act unreasonably, Chief Engineer Liao, who was sitting in the front row, finally couldn't hold back and stood up abruptly.
"Old Zhao, we're old friends, but there's something I have to say. You're the director of the research institute, how could you not understand that no research project is ever 100% successful?"
"Just because this was designed independently by us, I support Comrade Li Aiguo's VVVF subway train project."
This statement was endorsed by the engineers.
Even the engineers who were originally inclined to copy Big Brother's technology nodded in agreement.
Yes, if we could build more advanced trains ourselves.
Who the hell wants to follow someone else around like that for the rest of their life?!
"Let's vote by raising our hands now," Liu Guozhang said.
The first person to raise their hand was Chief Engineer Liao, followed by the engineers, and then more and more people raised their hands.
One, two, ten, twenty...
Finally, even Director Zhao hesitated for a moment before raising his hand.
"Alright, that's settled then. I will report the contents of today's meeting to the relevant ministries and request that the project be approved as soon as possible." Liu Guozhi announced the adjournment of the meeting.
He was also an impatient person, and that afternoon he came to Leader Teng's office with the meeting minutes and materials.
"So, at this morning's seminar, everyone unanimously agreed to the new plan proposed by Li Aiguo?" After hearing Liu Guozhang's report, Leader Teng was quite surprised.
You should know that in the past few days, many leaders from other ministries have been coming to his office every few days to whisper in his ear and strongly promote the DK1 imitation plan.
"Yes, sir, these are the meeting minutes."
After taking a look, Leader Teng couldn't help but exclaim, "The things that Li Aiguo has come up with are not only technologically advanced, but also fully implement the self-reliance policy of the higher-level leaders. This matter is settled."
Leader Teng signed the report, handed it back to Liu Guozhang, and demanded that a project team be established immediately.
"Comrade Li Aiguo is still in charge of the manufacturing of large aircraft. You need to send more people to help him," Leader Teng instructed.
"Understood! Mission accomplished!" Liu Guozhang stood at attention and saluted, his voice booming.
Just as Liu Guozhang was reporting the situation.
The canteen inside the Railway Technology Research Institute was bustling with activity.
Li Aiguo had just found a seat and sat down with his lunchbox in hand.
In a flash, Chief Engineer Liao, along with key personnel from Jichun Plant and several senior engineers from Zhuzhou Institute, gathered around with their meals.
"Comrade Patriot, the ideas you shared at the meeting this morning were truly brilliant!"
Their forward-thinking vision, in particular, truly puts us old folks to shame!
Chief Engineer Liao sighed sincerely as he ate his rice.
"Yes, Comrade Aiguo, what do you think will be the future development of our trains?" This was the question that Chief Engineer Liao was most concerned about.
It's important to understand that Jichun Locomotive Factory's biggest task right now is to develop electric locomotives. Although the DK1 is no longer an option, what does the future hold for electric locomotives?
"I only know a little about subway trains; I'm a complete novice when it comes to mainline electric trains."
Li Aiguo knew very well that this topic was far more sensitive than the subway issue!
The controversy surrounding the development direction of electric trains for main lines involves a vital transportation artery.
Once a change in technology is involved, the impact can be hundreds or thousands of times greater than that of building a subway project!
Not to mention, this also involves the comprehensive renovation of power facilities along the entire route and the upgrading of large motors.
Which one isn't a mega-project involving several ministries?
"Please don't stand on ceremony. We're here for academic research, so feel free to speak your mind." Chief Engineer Liao was already itching to get down to business.
"Then I'll make a fool of myself."
Li Aiguo pondered for a moment and then said, "Alternating current motor!"
"Alternating current motors aren't inherently difficult or expensive to manufacture, and their use in subway trains isn't a problem. However, we really need to vigorously develop electric trains."
Chief Engineer Liao didn't continue speaking, but his meaning was already quite clear.
Li Aiguo laughed and said, "DC motors are indeed simple in structure, but the ceiling is too low, the power is small, and the train speed is slow."
"In the future, we need to increase the speed of trains to over 200 kilometers per hour, and DC motors simply cannot meet the requirements."
In fact, the development path of electric trains in our country has historically involved both a shortcut and a detour.
In the early stages of electrification planning, Soviet experts strongly advocated DC power supply, requiring the construction of substations and the laying of electrical grids every 20 kilometers.
It was Committee Member Cao who strongly advocated for the establishment of a single-phase power frequency AC system, directly aligning with the world's mainstream and avoiding the huge waste of Europe and the United States' "DC first, then AC" approach.
This is a strategic victory!
but.
However, they took a long and winding road in selecting the motor, using AC-DC transmission for an extended period.
The international community has already started developing AC-DC-AC transmission technology, leaving us passively lagging behind by a whole generation.
It wasn't until later generations, through hard work and catching up, that we were able to catch up and have high-speed rail.
Of course, these things couldn't be said aloud; Li Aiguo only focused on analyzing the drawbacks of DC motors.
The atmosphere at the dinner table became somewhat heavy.
Chief Engineer Liao, holding his lunchbox, fell into a deep silence, lost in thought.
Seeing everyone deep in thought, Li Aiguo picked up his chopsticks again and began to eat heartily.
He was in no hurry.
After all, the mainline electric trains have far-reaching implications, so we can't rush them.
This takes time; you can't rush things.
The important thing is to get the subway and electric trains working first.
(End of this chapter)