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US 6,786,209 B2Granted
Auxiliary power unit exhaust system and method for a locomotive
AssigneeCSXT Intellectual Properties Corporation
InventorTed E. Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing engine emissions in a locomotive are presented. In an embodiment, the primary engine of a locomotive has an associated auxiliary power unit (APU). Exhaust from the APU is directed into an air intake system of the primary engine. The APU may be selectively operated based on a current operating condition of the locomotive.
Claims45
A method for a locomotive, comprising:
- selectively operating an auxiliary power unit (APU) associated with a primary engine of a locomotive;
- and
- directing at least a portion of exhaust from the APU into an air intake system of the primary engine,
- wherein the APU is selectively operated based at least in part on a current operating condition of the locomotive and wherein the directing APU exhaust includes:
- pushing the APU exhaust toward the air intake system, by an engine of the APU;
- and
- vacuuming the rushed APU exhaust into the air intake system, by at least one suction mechanism of the air intake system.
4 more elements
A method for a locomotive, comprising:
- operating a primary engine of a locomotive;
- simultaneously operating an auxiliary power unit (APU) associated with the primary engine;
- while simultaneously operating the APU, directing at least a portion of the exhaust from the APU into an air intake system of the primary engine;
- and
- wherein the directing APU exhaust includes:
- pushing the APU exhaust toward the air intake system, by an engine of the APU;
- and
- vacuuming the pushed APU exhaust into the air intake system, by at least one suction mechanism of the air intake system.
5 more elements
A system for a locomotive, comprising:
- an auxiliary power unit (APU) constructed and arranged to be used in cooperation with a primary engine of a locomotive, the APU producing an exhaust stream and being operated simultaneously with the primary engine;
- at least one conduit between the APU and an air intake system of the primary engine, wherein the conduit conveys APU exhaust into the air intake system;
- and
- a controller configured to selectively activate the APU wherein the conveyance of the APU exhaust includes pushing the APU exhaust toward the air intake system, by an engine of the APU and vacuuming the pushed APU exhaust into the air intake system, by at least one suction mechanism of the air intake system.
1 more element
A system for a locomotive, comprising:
- means for generating auxiliary power for a primary engine of a locomotive, the power generating means producing an exhaust stream and being simultaneously operated with the primary engine;
- means for directing at least a portion of the exhaust from the power generating means into an air intake system of the primary engine;
- and
- means for selectively activating the power generating means wherein the direction of at least a portion of the exhaust includes pushing the exhaust toward the air intake system, by an engine included in the means for generating auxiliary power and vacuuming the pushed exhaust into the air intake system, by at least one suction mechanism of the air intake system.
1 more element
A diesel-electric locomotive, comprising:
- a plurality of wheels;
- a primary engine coupled to a fuel tank, the primary engine having an air intake system;
- an electrical generator coupled to and driven by the primary engine;
- a plurality of motors coupled to the electrical generator and to the wheels, the motors constructed and arranged to drive the wheels;
- an auxiliary power unit (APU) coupled to the primary engine by at least one conduit between the APU and the air intake system, the APU producing an exhaust stream and being operated simultaneously with the primary engine, wherein the conduit conveys APU exhaust into the air intake system;
- and
- a controller configured to selectively activate the APU,
- wherein the conveyance of the APU exhaust includes pushing the APU exhaust toward the air intake system, by an engine of the APU and vacuuming the pushed APU exhaust into the air intake system, by at least one suction mechanism of the air intake system.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.