System and method for supplying auxiliary power to a large diesel engine

• US 20020174845A1
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CSXT Intellectual Properties Corporation
• Original Assignee: CSXT Intellectual Properties Corporation
• Inventors: Biess, Lawrence J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,945,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/142.5R
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/021 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 25/04 by cutting-out engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 2007/0097 for large diesel engines

Abstract

A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

Claims

1. An auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine having a battery, comprising

(A) a secondary engine, and

(B) control means which shuts down such primary engine and starts such secondary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of such primary engine.

2. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, in which such control means starts such secondary engine in response to a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

3. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power producing means driven by such secondary engine.

4. The auxiliary power system of claim 3, in which such electrical power producing means comprises a 240 vac, 60 Hz, single-phase electrical generator.

5. The auxiliary power system of claim 4, in which such electrical generator produces at least 17 kva of power.

6. The auxiliary power system of claim 4, further comprising battery charging means.

7. The auxiliary power system of claim 6, in which such control means

(i) isolates the battery of the primary engine from all dc loads upon operation of such secondary engine, and

(ii) continuously charges the battery during operation of such secondary engine.

8. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising

(A) primary engine coolant pumping means, and

(B) heat exchanging means.

9. The auxiliary power system of claim 8, further comprising engine coolant heating means.

10. The auxiliary power system of claim 9 further including,

coolant temperature sensing means, and in which

such control means maintains primary engine coolant temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

11. The auxiliary power system of claim 9, in which such engine coolant heating means comprises electric heaters.

12. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprisingprimary engine lube-oil pumping means.

13. The auxiliary power system of claim 12, further comprising, lube-oil heating means.

14. The auxiliary power system of claim 13, further including,

primary lube-oil temperature sensing means, and in which

such control means maintains primary engine lube-oil temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

15. The auxiliary power system of claim 13, in which such lube-oil heating means comprises electric heaters.

16. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising a remotely operable primary engine coolant drain valve.

17. The auxiliary power system of claim 16, in which such control means causes such remotely operable drain valve to open and drain the primary engine coolant after a predetermined period of time in response to a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating and such secondary engine fails to start.

19. Method of claim 18, in which the predetermined condition of such primary engine is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) idling of such primary engine for a predetermined period of time, and

(ii) non-operation of such primary engine combined with a predetermined ambient temperature.

20. Method of claim 18, further comprising

providing heating means for such primary engine coolant, and

providing heating means for such primary engine lube-oil.

18. A method of supplying auxiliary power to a primary engine comprising the steps of

(A) providing a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator

(B) monitoring the operating condition of such primary engine

(C) starting such secondary engine in response to a predetermined condition of such primary engine.