Propulsion system for integral trains
AssigneeGeneral Signal Corporation
InventorThomas H. Engle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rail vehicle propulsion system having an engine whose speed is a function of a selected vehicle speed, an alternator connected to the engine for generating an electrical signal to drive an electric motor connected to the axle by a variable automatic mechanical transmission. The electric motor reflects the load on the axle to the engine through the alternator. The alternator drives a plurality of electric motor-transmission combinations. For ease of servicing, the engine and alternator are mounted on a removable pallet.
Claims11
A propulsion system for driving at least one axle of a rail vehicle comprising:
- an engine;
- means connected to said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electrical signal as a function of the speed of said engine;
- a three phase alternating current motor directly responsive to said three phase alternating current electrical signal;
- variable automatic mechanical transmission means coupled to said electrical motor for transmitting torque to said axle;
- means for measuring vehicle speed;
- and
- first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.
A propulsion system for a train having a first plurality of rail vehicles comprising:
- an engine on a first vehicle;
- means on said first vehicle and connected top said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electric signal as a function of the speed of said engine;
- a plurality of three phase alternating current electric motors, at least one of each on a second plurality of vehicles and each directly responsive to said three phase alternating current electric signal;
- a plurality of variable automatic mechanical transmission means coupled to a respective three phase alternating current electric motor for transmitting torque to a respective axle;
- means for measuring vehicle speed;
- and
- first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said plurality of variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.
A propulsion system for driving at least one axle of a rail vehicle comprising:
- an engine;
- an alternator connected to said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electrical signal as a function of the speed of said engine;
- and
- a three phase alternating current electric motor connected mechanically to said axle via a variable automatic mechanicl transmission and electrically to said alternator directly for driving said axle as a function of said three phase alternating current electrical signals and state of said transmission and for reflecting a load on said axle to said engine through said alternator;
- means for measuring vehicle speed;
- and
- first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.