Variable-Speed-Drive System for a Grid Blower

• US 20090293760A1
• Filed: 06/03/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith Kuttannair, Gupta, Sudhir Kumar, Worden, Bret, Brown, Theodore Clark
• Granted Patent: US 8,179,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 105/59
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/02 Dynamic electric resistor braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 5/02 Arrangement or disposition of intakes and apparatus for supplying, circulating, and filtering air for combustion and engine-cooling purposes

Abstract

A drive system for a grid blower of a vehicle is provided. The system includes: an electrical bus, a grid of resistive elements connected to the electrical bus, the grid of resistive elements configured to thermally dissipate electrical power generated from braking of the vehicle, the electrical power being transmitted on the electrical bus to the grid of resistive elements, an electrical power modulation device configured to modify electrical power received from at least one of the electrical bus and the grid of resistive elements, and a grid blower motor coupled to an output of the electrical power modulation device, wherein a speed of the grid blower motor varies based on the electrical power that has been modified by the electrical power modulation device.

Claims

1. A drive system for a grid blower of a vehicle comprising:

an electrical bus;

a grid of resistive elements connected to the electrical bus, the grid of resistive elements configured to thermally dissipate electrical power generated by a braking operation of the vehicle, the electrical power being transmitted on the electrical bus to the grid of resistive elements;

an electrical power modulation device configured to modify electrical power received from the electrical bus; and

a grid blower motor coupled to an output of the electrical power modulation device, wherein a speed of the grid blower motor varies based on the electrical power that has been modified by the electrical power modulation device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein an input of the electrical power modulation device is connected to taps on the electrical bus.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein an input of the electrical power modulation device is connected to taps across at least one resistive element of the grid of resistive elements.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power modulation device is configured to modify at least one of a frequency and a voltage of the electrical power received from the electrical bus.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power modulation device is an inverter and the grid blower motor is an alternating current motor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power modulation device is a converter and the grid blower motor is a direct current motor.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller configured to cause the electrical power modulation device to vary electrical power output to control a speed of the grid blower motor based on an operating parameter.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a second electrical power modulation device configured to modify electrical power received from the electrical bus; and

a second grid blower motor coupled to an output of the second electrical power modulation device, wherein a speed of the second grid blower motor varies based on the electrical power that has been modified by the second electrical power modulation device;

wherein the controller is further configured to cause the electrical power modulation device to output electrical power at a first phase and configured to cause the second electrical power modulation device to output electrical power at a second phase different from the first phase.

9. A method of controlling a grid blower to provide forced-air for a grid of resistive elements of a locomotive, the method comprising:

generating an amount of electrical power across the grid of resistive elements based on an operation of the locomotive; and

modulating at least some of the amount of electrical power to adjust at least one of a speed and a direction of a motor of the grid blower based on an operating condition.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the operation of the locomotive includes a dynamic braking operation in which the amount of electrical power is generated by a traction motor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein modulating at least some of the amount of electrical power continues after the braking operation without dissipation of electrical power on the grid of resistive elements.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the operation of the locomotive includes a self loading operation in which the amount of electrical power is generated by a converter configured to be driven by torque output of an internal combustion engine.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the operating condition includes an audible noise level.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the operating condition includes a temperature of the grid of resistive elements.

15. The method of claim 9, where the operating condition includes bearing lubrication hardness.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the operating condition includes at least one of inertial force exerted on the grid blower and centrifugal force exerted on the grid blower.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the operating condition includes ice formation on the grid of resistive elements.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the operating condition includes blockage of an intake of the grid blower.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein modulating at least some of the amount of electrical power includes adjusting at least one of a voltage level and a frequency.

20. A locomotive blower motor switchable drive system comprising:

a transfer switch;

a first inverter coupled to a first input of the transfer switch;

a second inverter coupled to a second input of the transfer switch;

a first alternating current blower motor for powering an auxiliary component blower, the first alternating current blower motor coupled to a first output of the transfer switch;

a second alternating current blower motor for powering a traction motor blower, the second alternating current blower motor coupled to a second output of the transfer switch;

a third alternating current blower motor for powering a grid blower, the third alternating current blower motor coupled to a third output of the transfer switch; and

a controller, the controller configured to cause the transfer switch to connect the first inverter with the first alternating current blower motor and connect the second inverter with the second alternating current blower motor at a first mode of operation, to connect the first inverter with the first alternating current blower motor and connect the second inverter with the third alternating current blower motor at a second mode of operation, and to connect the first inverter with the third alternating current blower motor and connect the second inverter with the second alternating current blower motor at a third mode of operation.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first operating mode is a motoring mode in which an engine is generating torque output and a traction motor is generating tractive output to propel the locomotive.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the second operating mode is at least one of a self load mode in which an engine generates torque output that is converted to electrical power and at least some of the electrical power is supplied to a grid and a operational mode in which electrical power is supplied to the inverters and substantially no electrical power is supplied to the grid.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the third operating mode is a dynamic braking mode in which a traction motor generates electrical power and at least some of the electrical power is sent to a grid.

24. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

at least a third inverter coupled to the transfer switch; and

at least a fourth alternating current blower motor for powering a second grid blower, the third alternating current blower motor coupled to a fourth output of the transfer switch;

wherein the controller is further configured to cause the transfer switch to selectively connect the at least the third inverter with the third alternating current blower motor and connect the third inverter with the fourth alternating current blower motor at a fifth mode of operation.