SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING ENERGY FROM A RAILCAR

• US 20090032350A1
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sandor Wayne Shapery
• Original Assignee: Sandor Wayne Shapery
• Inventors: Shapery, Sandor Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 191/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 13/03 Electric propulsion by linear motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/005 without mechanical contact between the collector and the power supply line
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 3/06 Arrangements for consuming regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 3/00 Electric locomotives or railcars characterised by power transmission B61C9/00; electrical features B60L; H02
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 43/00 Devices for using the energy of the movements of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 41/03 Synchronous motors; Motors moving step by step; Reluctance motors H02K41/035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1869 Linear generators; sectional generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 30/00 Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance

Abstract

A method and system of using one or more railcar linear electric generators to decelerate a vehicle such as a train consist. In one embodiment, the one of more electric generators are configured to capture deceleration energy and supply the energy to one or more power grid connections. The one of more railcar electric generators may also operate as motors to assist propelling a train consist. Optional energy storage may also be included.

Claims

1. A system for generating electric power, the system comprising:

a source of magnetic flux configured to induce a magnetic field in a first conductor; and

a second conductor positioned substantially stationary relative to the source of magnetic flux, and configured to carry an electric current generated in response to a relative motion of the first and second conductors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of magnetic flux comprises at least one of a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first conductor comprises a planar sheet of conductive material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first conductor is attached to a railcar traversing at least two rails.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the source of magnetic flux and the second conductor are positioned between the two rails.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second conductor comprises a conductive coil.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to house at least one of the source of magnetic flux or the second conductor.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a converter circuit configured to provide the electrical current to an electric power transmission system.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical path connecting the second conductor to an energy source or an energy storage device.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical path connecting the second conductor to a power line of an electrical power transmission system.

11. A method of configuring a rail system to generate electrical power, comprising:

positioning a source of magnetic flux so as to induce a magnetic field in a first conductor;

positioning a second conductor substantially stationary relative to the source of magnetic flux, so as to generate an electric current in response to a relative motion of the first and second conductors; and

electrically coupling the second conductor to a power line of an electric power transmission system so as to supply energy to the power transmission system during the downhill travel of a rail car.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching the first conductor to the underside of the rail car.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first conductor is attached to the rail car at a first switch yard to decelerate the rail car downhill and removed at a second switch yard.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising supplying electric power to the second conductor to assist in the uphill propulsion of the rail car.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the conductive element is attached to the rail car at a first switch yard to assist the rail car uphill and removed from the rail car at a second switch yard.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching at least one energy storage car to the railcar.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the energy storage car is configured to haul one or more energy storage devices.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising using one or more linear electric motor cars to assist a train up an uphill climb, the train having one or more dual-mode locomotives for primary propulsion power.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising adding the one or more linear electric motor cars to the train prior to traversing an incline and removing the one or more linear electric motor cars from the train subsequent to the traversing.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising generating power using the one or more linear electric motor cars while traversing a decline so as to brake the rail car.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein electrically coupling the second conductor to a power line of a power transmission system comprises electrically coupling the coil to al least one of a catenary or a third rail.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising connecting an energy storage device to the second conductor so as to store energy generated during the downhill travel of the rail car.

23. An apparatus attached to a rail car, the apparatus comprising:

a source of magnetic flux configured to induce a magnetic field in a first conductor;

a second conductor; and

a mount configured to attach the source of magnetic flux and the second conductor to the rail car,

wherein the second conductor is configured to carry an electric current generated in response to relative motion of first and second conductor as the rail car traverses a rail.

24. An apparatus attached to a rail car, the apparatus comprising:

a first conductor; and

a mount configured to attach the first conductor to the rail car,

wherein the first conductor is configured to have a magnetic field induced therein by a second conductor, and to generate an electric current in the second conductor in response to relative motion of the first and second conductor as the rail car traverses a rail.