US 7,124,691 B2 · Method for monitoring and controlling locomotives

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a locomotive comprising energy storage units, such as batteries, a prime energy source, such as a diesel engine, and an energy conversion device, such as a generator. The locomotive comprises one or more of the following features: a separate chopper circuit for each traction motor; energy storage units that can be switched from parallel to series electrical connections, an fluid-activated anti-lock brake system, a controller operable to control separately and independently each axle/traction motor, and a controller operable to control automatically a speed of the locomotive. The present invention includes an integrated system for monitoring, controlling and optimizing an electrically powered locomotive using a combination of sensors and software to provide feedback that optimizes power train efficiency and individual drive axle performance for a locomotive that utilizes one of several possible electrical energy storage systems to provide the tractive power. The net result is a locomotive that has an integrated system of control over all aspects of the locomotive power train including control over individual drive axles, especially during acceleration, braking and non-synchronous wheel slip.

Claims56

Dependent claims

A locomotive, comprising:

a plurality of traction motors corresponding to a plurality of axles and a plurality of drive switches, each traction motor operating in a driven mode and a free-wheeling mode, wherein in the driven mode a power pulse from an energy storage device passes through the traction motor and the corresponding drive switch and in the free-wheeling mode the power pulse from the energy storage device passes through the traction motor and bypasses the corresponding drive switch;
at least one filter, the at least one filter corresponding to at least one of the plurality of traction motors, to absorb electrical voltage transients and smooth current ripples from the at least one traction motor resulting from changes between the driven and free-wheeling modes;
and
a controller operable to determine a respective power requirement for each traction motor during a selected time interval and the necessary amplitude and pulse width of a power pulse to produce the determined power requirement for each traction motor, wherein during the selected time interval the respective power requirements of at least two traction motors are different.

1 more element

A locomotive, comprising:

a plurality of traction motors in communication with a plurality of axles;
a prime energy source for providing power to the plurality of traction motors;
and
a plurality of air brake systems operatively engaging a respective one of the plurality of axles, each air brake system comprising at least one movable braking surface element and corresponding air-brake cylinder and a fluid-activated brake release, wherein, when a moveable braking surface element is locked in position against a braking surface, fluid pressure is applied against the braking surface by the fluid-activated brake release to disengage the locked moveable braking surface from the braking surface.

1 more element

A locomotive, comprising:

a plurality of traction motors in communication with a plurality of axles;
a prime energy source;
an energy conversion device, in communication with the prime energy source, to convert the energy output by the prime energy source into electricity;
an energy storage device, in communication with the energy conversion device and the plurality of traction motors, to receive and store the electricity and to provide the electricity to the plurality of traction motors;
a controller operable to control an excitation current to the energy conversion device, wherein at least one of the following statements is true:
(i) when a first predetermined set point is exceeded by a first monitored parameter, the excitation current is increased and, when a second predetermined set point is exceeded by the first monitored parameter, the excitation current is decreased and wherein the first monitored parameter is revolutions per minute of a mechanical component of the prime energy source;
(ii) when the first predetermined set point is exceeded by a second monitored parameter, the excitation current is decreased and, when the second predetermined set point is exceeded by the second monitored parameter, the excitation current is increased and wherein the second monitored parameter is the output power of the energy conversion device;
and
(iii) when the first predetermined set point is exceeded by a third monitored parameter, the excitation current is decreased and, when the second predetermined set point is exceeded by the third monitored parameter, the excitation current is increased and wherein the third monitored parameter is the output voltage of the energy conversion device.

6 more elements

A method for providing electrical energy to an energy storage device in a locomotive, comprising:

(a) providing a locomotive comprising:
(i) a plurality of traction motors in communication with a plurality of axles;
(ii) a prime energy source;
(iii) an energy conversion device, in communication with the prime energy source, to convert the energy output by the prime energy source into electricity;
and
(iv) an energy storage device, in communication with the energy conversion device and the plurality of traction motors, to receive and store the electricity and to provide the electricity to the plurality of traction motors;
and
(b) controlling an excitation current to the energy conversion device by performing at least one of the following steps:
(i) when a first predetermined set point is exceeded by a first monitored parameter, the excitation current is increased and, when a second predetermined set point is exceeded by the first monitored parameter, the excitation current is decreased and wherein the first monitored parameter is revolutions per minute of a mechanical component of the prime energy source;
(ii) when the first predetermined set point is exceeded by a second monitored parameter, the excitation current is decreased and, when the second predetermined set point is exceeded by the second monitored parameter, the excitation current is increased and wherein the second monitored parameter is the output power of the energy conversion device;
and
(iii) when the first predetermined set point is exceeded by a third monitored parameter, the excitation current is decreased and, when the second predetermined set point is exceeded by the third monitored parameter, the excitation current is increased and wherein the third monitored parameter is the output voltage of the energy conversion device.

9 more elements

A locomotive, comprising:

a plurality of traction motors in communication with a plurality of axles;
a prime energy source;
an energy conversion device, in communication with the prime energy source, to convert the energy output by the prime energy source into electricity;
an energy storage device, in communication with the energy conversion device and the plurality of traction motors, to receive and store the electricity and to provide the electricity to the plurality of traction motors;
a controller operable to (i) monitor an operational parameter of each of the plurality of axles and/or traction motors, wherein the monitored operational parameter includes (a) an electrical current and/or voltage output by the energy storage device and (b) a state of charge and/or voltage of the energy storage device, and (ii) in response to the monitored operational parameter, control operation of the prime energy source.

2 more elements

A method for controlling the operation of a locomotive, comprising:

(a) providing a locomotive, the locomotive comprising:
(i) a plurality of traction motors in communication with a plurality of axles;
(ii) a prime energy source;
(iii) an energy conversion device, in communication with the prime energy source, to convert the energy output by the prime energy source into electricity and to provide the electricity to the plurality of traction motors;
and
(iv) an energy storage device, in communication with the energy conversion device and the plurality of traction motors, to receive and store the electricity;
(b) monitoring an operational parameter of each of the plurality of axles and or traction motors, wherein the monitored operational parameter includes (a) an electrical current and/or volts output by the energy storage device and (b) a state of charge and/or voltage of the energy storage device and
(c) in response to the monitored operational parameter, controlling activation and deactivation of the prime energy source to control provision of electricity to the energy storage device.

5 more elements

A power control system for a locomotive, comprising:

a plurality of traction motors in communication with a plurality of axles;
a prime energy source;
an energy conversion device, in communication with the prime energy source, to convert the energy output by the prime energy source into electricity;
an energy storage device, in communication with the energy conversion device and the plurality of traction motors, to receive, store, and supply the electricity, wherein the electricity is supplied to the plurality of traction motors;
a user interface operable to receive a command from an operator to control a locomotive speed, wherein the user interface is operable to display a current power being delivered by the energy storage device, a voltage of the energy storage device, an electrical current of the energy storage device, and a state of charge of the energy storage device to permit the operator to monitor a state of the energy storage device;
and
a controller operable to determine an electrical current passing through each of a plurality of traction motors.

4 more elements

A power control method for a locomotive, comprising:

providing a locomotive comprising:
(i) a plurality of traction motors in communication with a plurality of axles;
(ii) a prime energy source;
(iii) an energy conversion device, in communication with the prime energy source, to convert the energy output by the prime energy source into electricity;
(iv) an energy storage device, in communication with the energy conversion device and the plurality of traction motors, to receive and store the electricity and to provide the electricity to the plurality of traction motors;
(v) a user interface operable to receive a command from an operator to control a locomotive speed;
displaying at least one of a current power being delivered by the energy storage device, a voltage of the energy storage device, an electrical current from the energy storage device, and a state of charge of the energy storage device;
and
receiving commands from the operator in response to the displayed information.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for monitoring and controlling locomotives

Life of this patent

Method for monitoring and controlling locomotives

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims56