Energy Recovery System for Diesel Locomotives
AssigneeKnoxville Locomotive Works, Inc.
InventorsPete Claussen, Scott Gatewood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An energy efficient locomotive according to the disclosure utilizes a companion generator operably associated with a prime mover engine and electrically independent from a main generator. The companion generator is connected directly to a DC to DC regulator and is configured to supply a DC output to the DC to DC regulator for providing power for non-propulsion electrical devices when the locomotive is coasting or braking and the prime mover engine and main generator are not providing electrical power to the traction motor.
Claims6
An energy efficient locomotive, comprising:
- a locomotive having a prime mover engine operably associated with a main generator to provide electrical power to a traction motor for propulsion of the locomotive, the locomotive also having non-propulsion electrical devices, comprising cooling fans, traction motor blowers, inertial motors and air compressors;
- a main generator DC buss electrically connected to the main generator, wherein the main generator produces AC power which is rectified into DC power and fed into a main generator DC buss to which a traction motor inverter associated with the traction motor connects;
- a DC to DC voltage regulator connected to the main generator DC buss and configured to convert variable voltage from the DC to DC voltage regulator to a lower voltage, and further including a high voltage DC buss for receiving electrical output from the DC to DC voltage regulator;
- and
- a companion generator operably associated with the prime mover engine and electrically independent from the main generator, the companion generator connected directly to the DC to DC regulator and configured to supply a DC output to the DC to DC regulator for providing power for the non-propulsion electrical devices when the locomotive is coasting or braking and the prime mover engine and main generator are not providing electrical power to the traction motor.
A method for powering a locomotive having a prime mover engine whose power output is controlled by a throttle and a main generator to provide power for propulsion of the locomotive and also having non-propulsion electrical devices, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a main generator DC buss electrically connected to the main generator, wherein the main generator produces AC power which is rectified into DC power and fed into a main generator DC buss to which a traction motor inverter associated with a traction motor connects;
- operating the traction motor for propulsion of the locomotive when the throttle of the locomotive is not reduced and operating the prime mover engine and the main generator to exclusively provide power to the traction motor for propulsion of the locomotive when the throttle of the locomotive is not reduced;
- providing a DC to DC voltage regulator connected to the main generator DC buss and configured to convert variable voltage from the DC to DC voltage regulator to a lower voltage, and further including a high voltage DC buss for receiving electrical output from the DC to DC voltage regulator;
- and
- providing a companion generator operably associated with the prime mover engine and electrically independent from the main generator, the companion generator connected directly to the DC to DC regulator and configured to supply a DC output to the DC to DC regulator when the throttle of the locomotive is reduced and the locomotive is coasting or braking and the prime mover engine and main generator are not providing electrical power to the traction motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.