Auxiliary power controller
AssigneeBNSF Railway Company
InventorsMichael Cleveland, James Taylor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by an auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power input sources from a plurality of power input sources. The method also includes determining, by the auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power consuming devices from a plurality of power consuming devices. The method further includes managing, by the auxiliary power controller, transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices.
Claims20
A modular system to dynamically manage auxiliary loads and supplies on a vehicle, comprising:
- an engine block of a vehicle;
- one or more pumps operably coupled to the engine block;
- an alternator configured to provide power to the pump to circulate fluid through the engine block;
- one or more power input sources;
- one or more power consuming devices;
- and
- an auxiliary power controller configured to:
- determine a first selection of the one or more power input sources from a plurality of power input sources,
- determine a first selection of one or more power consuming devices from a plurality of power consuming devices,
- manage transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices, and
- manage transfer of power from the alternator to the one or more pumps, wherein the auxiliary power controller is configured to determine power supply availability from the one or more power input sources and power demand requirements for each of the one or more power consuming devices before managing transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices, wherein the power demand requirements from a power consuming device indicates an amount of power that the power consuming device is to draw from the one or more power consuming devices.
A modular system to dynamically manage auxiliary loads and supplies on a locomotive, comprising:
- a locomotive engine block;
- a water pump configured to circulate water through the locomotive engine block;
- an oil pump configured to circulate oil through the locomotive engine block;
- a locomotive alternator configured to provide power to the water pump and provide power to the oil pump;
- one or more power input sources;
- one or more power consuming devices;
- and
- an auxiliary power controller configured to:
- determine a first selection of the one or more power input sources from a plurality of power input sources,
- determine a first selection of one or more power consuming devices from a plurality of power consuming devices,
- manage transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices, and
- manage transfer of power from the locomotive alternator to the water pump and the oil pump, wherein the auxiliary power controller is configured to determine power supply availability from the one or more power input sources and power demand requirements for each of the one or more power consuming devices before managing transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices, wherein the power demand requirements from a power consuming device indicates an amount of power that the power consuming device is to draw from the one or more power consuming devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.