Hybrid systems for locomotives
AssigneeClean Train Propulsion
InventorDavid Cook
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A locomotive consist includes a first locomotive unit that receives a power command from a throttle signal or a dynamic brake signal from MU trainlines, a second locomotive unit with an energy storage system electrically connected to one or more second unit traction motors, and a hybrid control system on the first locomotive unit. The hybrid control system intercepts the throttle signal or the dynamic brake signal from the MU trainlines, calculates first and second alternate power commands for the first and second locomotive units, respectively, that when added together equal the power command received on the MU trainlines, communicates the first power command to the first locomotive prime engine or dynamic braking system, and communicates the second power command to the second locomotive unit.
Claims20
A locomotive consist comprising:
- a first locomotive unit that receives a power command from one of a throttle signal and a dynamic brake signal from MU trainlines and that includes a prime engine electrically connected to one or more first unit traction motors that provide tractive power and to an electric resistance grid electrically connected to the one or more first unit traction motors that provide dynamic braking power, wherein the first locomotive unit is a diesel electric locomotive;
- a second locomotive unit with an energy storage system electrically connected to one or more second unit traction motors, wherein the second locomotive unit has a dynamic braking system that decelerates the consist by electrically transferring energy from the one or more second unit traction motors to the energy storage system, and wherein the second locomotive unit provides tractive power to the consist by electrically transferring energy from the energy storage system to the one or more second unit traction motors;
- and
- a hybrid control system on the first locomotive unit that intercepts the throttle signal or the dynamic brake signal from the MU trainlines, calculates first and second alternate power commands for the first and second locomotive units, respectively, that when added together equal one of the power command and the dynamic brake signal received on the MU trainlines, communicates the first power command to the first locomotive prime engine or dynamic braking system, and communicates the second power command to the second locomotive unit;
- wherein the hybrid control system includes a lever that moves between a throttle lever position and a dynamic brake lever position;
- wherein the throttle lever position corresponds to one of a plurality of notches of throttle power including lower notch positions and a highest notch position;
- wherein the lower notch positions are constant power settings;
- and
- wherein the highest notch position corresponds to a constant acceleration rate setting.
A locomotive consist comprising:
- a first locomotive unit that receives a power command from one of a throttle signal and a dynamic brake signal from MU trainlines and that includes a prime engine electrically connected to one or more first unit traction motors that provide tractive power and to an electric resistance grid electrically connected to the one or more first unit traction motors that provide dynamic braking power, wherein the first locomotive unit is a diesel electric locomotive;
- a second locomotive unit with an energy storage system electrically connected to one or more second unit traction motors, wherein the second locomotive unit has a dynamic braking system that decelerates the consist by electrically transferring energy from the one or more second unit traction motors to the energy storage system, and wherein the second locomotive unit provides tractive power to the consist by electrically transferring energy from the energy storage system to the one or more second unit traction motors;
- and
- a hybrid control system on the first locomotive unit that intercepts the throttle signal or the dynamic brake signal from the MU trainlines, calculates first and second alternate power commands for the first and second locomotive units, respectively, that when added together equal one of the power command and the dynamic brake signal received on the MU trainlines, communicates the first power command to the first locomotive prime engine or dynamic braking system, and communicates the second power command to the second locomotive unit;
- wherein the hybrid control system includes a lever that moves between a throttle lever position and a dynamic brake lever position;
- wherein the dynamic brake lever position corresponds to a command to provide a specified deceleration rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.