VEHICLE, SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a retarder comprising a motor that can supply electric power through an electric link;
a controller capable of comparing a power measurement with an accessory load on a system during a retard event, and of reducing an electrical load on an alternator to about zero, or of reducing a mechanical load on an engine, when electric power generated from the retarder is measured to be greater than an accessory load on the system; and
an energy storage device electrically coupled to the electric link, wherein the energy storage device has a determined upper electrical load limit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system includes a retarder in electrical communication through an electric link with an alternator, and a controller that compares a power measurement with an accessory load on a system during a retard event, and can reduce an electrical load on the alternator, or can remove all electrical loads from an engine, when electric power that is generated from the retarder is measured to be greater than an accessory load on the system. The system may include an alternator that provides a motor function to rotate a shaft coupled to an engine that is mechanically coupled to one or more mechanically drivable accessories. The alternator powers the mechanically drivable accessories in place of or in addition to the engine.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a retarder comprising a motor that can supply electric power through an electric link; a controller capable of comparing a power measurement with an accessory load on a system during a retard event, and of reducing an electrical load on an alternator to about zero, or of reducing a mechanical load on an engine, when electric power generated from the retarder is measured to be greater than an accessory load on the system; and an energy storage device electrically coupled to the electric link, wherein the energy storage device has a determined upper electrical load limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system, comprising:
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a power connector configured to releasably contact an electrified trolley line or umbilical cable; an energy storage device coupled to the power connector; and a traction motor that is capable of being powered by electricity that is supplied by the trolley line or umbilical cable through the power connector, by the energy storage device, or both the power connector and the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method, comprising:
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comparing a power measurement with an accessory load on a vehicle system during a retard event; and reducing an electrical load on the alternator to about zero, or of removing all electrical loads from a diesel engine except for idle losses, when power generated from the retarder is measured to be greater than an accessory load on the system.
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24. A method, comprising:
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releasably contacting a power connector to an electrified trolley line; and powering a traction motor by electricity that is supplied by the trolley line through the power connector, by an energy storage device, or both the power connector and the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification