Locomotive auxiliary power system

A method of controlling an electrodynamic device connected to a locomotive auxiliary power bus, the electrodynamlc device consuming electrical power when rotating in a first direction and generating electrical power when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the method comprising:

• determining when the device is rotating in the second direction;
• diverting electrical power generated by the electrodyriamic device to the locomotive auxiliary power bus so that the electrodynamic device stops rotating;
• and
• supplying electrical power to the electrodynamic device after the device has stopped rotating so that the device rotates in the first direction.

A locomotive auxiliary power system comprising:

• an auxiliary alternator coupled to the internal combustion engine of the locomotive;
• an auxiliary power bus powered by the auxiliary a1ternator;
• a rectifier connected between the auxiliary alternator and the auxiliary power bus;
• a plurality of devices powered by the auxiliary power bus, wherein at least one the devices consumes electrical power when rotating in a ftrst direction, and further wherein said at least one device generates electrical power when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction during a transient mode;
• a respective inverter connected between the auxiliary power bus and each device, wherein said invader provides a path for diverting electrical power generated during the transient mode by said at least one the plurality of devices;
• and
• a processor comprising a module for detecting when the at least one of the plurality of devices is operating in the transient mode, and a module for diverting electrical power generated by the at least one of the plurality of devices to the auxiliary power bus so that the at least one of the plurality of devices exits the transient mode and is ready to receive power for entering into an operational mode.

A power system for providing both primary and auxiliary electrical power for a railroad locomotive having traction motors powered by primary electrical power, auxiliary electrical loads powered by auxiliary electrical power, and an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a single alternator for generating power for both the primary and auxiliary power, the power system comprising:

• a rectifier electrically coupled to receive AC electrical power from the alternator and generate DC power;
• a direct current (DC) bus electrically coupled to receive electrical power from the rectifier, said DC bus having a voltage level sufficient for powering the traction motors but outside a desired voltage range for powering the auxiliary electrical loads;
• and
• at least one DC-to-AC converter electrically coupled to receive electrical power from the DC bus, with said at least one DC-to-AC converter configured to drive an auxiliary electrical load connected thereto at the voltage range for powering said auxiliary electrical load, wherein the auxiliary load operates in an power consumption mode when rotating in a first direction, and further wherein the auxiliary load operates in a power generating mode when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A power system for providing both primary and auxiliary electrical power for a railroad locomotive having traction motors powered hy primary electrical power, auxiliary electrical loads powered by auxiliary electrical power, and an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a single alternator for generating power for both the primary and auxiliary power, the power system comprising:

• a rectifier electrically coupled to receive AC electrical power from the alternator and generate DC power;
• a direct current (DC) bus electrically coupled to receive electrical power from the rectifier, said DC bus having a voltage level sufficient for powering the traction motors but outside a desired voltage range for powering the auxiliary electrical loads;
• and
• at least one DC-to-AC converter electrically coupled to receive electrical power from the DC bus, with said at least one DC-to-AC converter configured to drive an auxiliary electrical load connected thereto, wherein said auxiliary electrical load has an impedance chosen for allowing said auxiliary electrical load to be powered at the voltage level provided by the DC bus, wherein the auxiliary load operates in a power consumption mode when rotating in a first direction, and further wherein the auxiliry load operates in power generating mode when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A power system for providing both primary and auxiliary electrical power for a railroad locomotive having traction motors powered by primary electrical power, auxiliary electrical loads powered by auxiliary electrical power, and an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a single alternator for generating power for both the primary and auxiliary power, the power system comprising:

• a rectifier electrically coupled to receive AC electrical power from the alternator and generate DC power;
• a direct current (DC) bus electrically coupled to receive electrical power from the rectifier, said single alternator including a field winding responsive to a field control signal applied thereto so that said DC bus provides a voltage having a range sufficient for powering the traction motors and for powering the auxiliary electrical loads;
• and
• at least one DC-to-AC converter electrically coupled to receive electrical power from the DC bus, with said at least one DC-to-AC converter configured to drive an auxiliary electrical load connected thereto, wherein the auxiliary load operates in a power consumption mode when rotating in a first direction, and further wherein the auxiliary load operates in a power generating mode when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.