Auxiliary drive, full service locomotive tender
First Claim
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1. Where it is desired to increase the range and tractive force of a locomotive, having an electric power source, an auxiliary drive tender comprising:
- (a) at least two trucks, each comprising at least two drive axles, driven by one or more traction motors;
(b) a structural frame, connected to and supported by said trucks;
(c) means, attached to at least one end of said frame, for physically coupling said auxiliary drive tender to the locomotive;
(d) means for electrically coupling said traction motors to the electric power source on the locomotive;
(e) fuel storage means attached to and supported by said frame;
said fuel storage means comprising at least three storage tanks, a first of said tanks being positioned below and in fluid communication with the other two of said tanks; and
(f) fuel transfer means coupled to said first tank and adapted to transfer fuel to the locomotive.
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Abstract
A long distance auxiliary drive tender for railroad locomotives which stores significant quantities of fuel and delivers the fuel to the locomotives while underway and which also includes traction motor drive axles powered by the locomotive generators. The traction motors are also capable of providing dynamic braking. Preferably, the auxiliary drive tender will also store and transfer lubrication oil, water, and sand for the locomotives. The auxiliary drive tender operates much like a B-unit in conventional MU operations except that it does not have its own power source.
112 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Where it is desired to increase the range and tractive force of a locomotive, having an electric power source, an auxiliary drive tender comprising:
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(a) at least two trucks, each comprising at least two drive axles, driven by one or more traction motors;
(b) a structural frame, connected to and supported by said trucks;
(c) means, attached to at least one end of said frame, for physically coupling said auxiliary drive tender to the locomotive;
(d) means for electrically coupling said traction motors to the electric power source on the locomotive;
(e) fuel storage means attached to and supported by said frame;
said fuel storage means comprising at least three storage tanks, a first of said tanks being positioned below and in fluid communication with the other two of said tanks; and
(f) fuel transfer means coupled to said first tank and adapted to transfer fuel to the locomotive.
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2. Where it is desired to increase the range and tractive force of a locomotive, having an electric power source, an auxiliary drive tender comprising:
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(a) at least two trucks, each comprising at least two drive axles, driven by one or more traction motors;
(b) a structural frame, connected to and supported by said trucks;
(c) means, attached to at least one end of said frame, for physically coupling said auxiliary drive tender to the locomotive;
(d) means for electrically coupling said traction motors to the electric power source on the locomotive;
(e) fuel storage means attached to and supported by said frame; and
(f) fuel transfer means, coupled to said fuel storage means, and adapted to transfer fuel to the locomotive; and
(g) communication means whereby the locomotive transmits commands to said tender and wherein said traction motors and said fuel transfer means are responsive to said commands.
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3. Where it is desired to increase the range and tractive force of a locomotive, having an electric power source, an auxiliary drive tender comprising:
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(a) at least two trucks, each comprising at least two drive axles, driven by one or more traction motors;
(b) a structural frame, connected to and supported by said trucks;
(c) means, attached to at least one end of said frame, for physically coupling said auxiliary drive tender to the locomotive;
(d) means for electrically coupling said traction motors to the electric power source on the locomotive;
(e) fuel storage means attached to and supported by said frame; and
(f) fuel transfer means, coupled to said fuel storage means, and adapted to transfer fuel to the locomotive; and
(g) lubrication oil storage means, supported by said frame, and lubrication oil transfer means, coupled to said lubrication oil storage means, adapted to transfer lubrication oil to the locomotive.
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4. Where it is desired to increase the range and tractive force of a locomotive, having an electric power source, an auxiliary drive tender comprising:
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(a) at least two trucks, each comprising at least two drive axles, driven by one or more traction motors;
(b) a structural frame, connected to and supported by said trucks;
(c) means, attached to at least one end of said frame, for physically coupling said auxiliary drive tender to the locomotive;
(d) means for electrically coupling said traction motors to the electric power source on the locomotive;
(e) fuel storage means attached to and supported by said frame; and
(f) fuel transfer means, coupled to said fuel storage means, and adapted to transfer fuel to the locomotive, and (g) sand storage means, supported by said frame, and sand transfer means, coupled to said sand storage means, adapted to transfer sand to the locomotive. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. Where it is desired to increase the range and tractive force of a locomotive, having an electric power source, an auxiliary drive tender comprising:
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(a) communication means whereby the locomotive transmits commands to said tender;
(b) at least two trucks, each comprising at least two drive axles, driven by one or more traction motors, said traction motors responsive to at least one of said commands;
(c) means for electrically coupling said traction motors to the electric power source on the locomotive;
(d) dynamic braking circuitry responsive to at least one of said commands, comprising at least one resistance grid, electrically coupled to said traction motors;
(e) a structural frame, connected to and supported by said trucks;
(f) means, attached to at least one end of said frame, for physically coupling said auxiliary drive tender to the locomotive;
(g) fuel storage means supported by said frame, having a capacity of at least 150% the quantity of fuel stored on the locomotive;
(h) fuel transfer means responsive to at least one of said commands, coupled to said fuel storage means, and adapted to transfer fuel to the locomotive;
(i) lubrication oil storage means supported by said frame;
(j) lubrication oil transfer means responsive to at least one of said commands, coupled to said lubrication oil storage means, adapted to transfer lubrication oil to the locomotive;
(k) sand storage means supported by said frame, having a capacity which significantly exceeds the quantity of sand stored on the locomotive;
(l) sand transfer means responsive to at least one of said commands, coupled to said sand storage means, adapted to transfer sand to the locomotive;
(m) water storage means supported by said frame;
(n) water transfer means responsive to at least one of said commands, coupled to said water storage means, adapted to transfer water to the locomotive. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. Where long range, non-stop operation is desired, a mixed locomotive consist comprising:
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(a) a first and a second locomotive each having an engine and an electric generator driven by said engine;
(b) an auxiliary drive tender, positioned between and physically coupled to said first and second locomotives, said tender comprising;
(i) communication means whereby a first of said locomotives transmits commands to said tender;
(ii) a structural frame;
(iii) at least two trucks, connected to and supporting said frame, each comprising at least two drive axles, driven by one or more traction motors, said traction motors responsive to at least one of said commands;
(iv) dynamic braking circuitry responsive to at least one of said commands, comprising at least one resistance grid, electrically coupled to said traction motors;
(v) means for electrically coupling said traction motors to the electric generator on at least one of said locomotives;
(vi) fuel storage means attached to and supported by said frame; and
(vii) fuel transfer means responsive to at least one of said commands, coupled to said fuel storage means, and adapted to transfer fuel to both of said locomotives;
(c) said first and second locomotives adapted to receive fuel from said tender while underway. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification