Method for eliminating fuel use during dynamic braking
First Claim
1. A method for reducing engine fuel consumption of an electro-motive vehicle during braking, the method comprising:
- a. providing an engine for the vehicle;
b. generating primary electric power at a primary electric power generator connected to the engine;
c. generating primary electric power at a secondary electric power generator, connected to the engine;
d. operating a plurality of electric traction motors each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels to propel the vehicle during motoring operations and to generate electricity upon braking operations of the vehicle;
e. electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator;
f. applying braking;
g. closing the braking switch during braking;
h. transmitting power generated by the traction motors a dynamic braking inverter to the primary electric power generator to operate as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power auxiliary equipment without fueling the engine during braking.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for reducing engine fuel consumption of an electro-motive vehicle during braking, the method including steps for providing an engine for the vehicle, generating primary electric power at a primary electric power generator connected to the engine, generating primary electric power at a secondary electric power generator connected to the engine, operating a plurality of electric traction motors each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels to propel the vehicle during motoring operations and to generate electricity upon braking operations of the vehicle, electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator, applying braking, closing the braking switch, and transmitting power generated by the traction motors to the primary electric power generator to operate as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power the auxiliary equipment without fueling the engine.
29 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for reducing engine fuel consumption of an electro-motive vehicle during braking, the method comprising:
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a. providing an engine for the vehicle; b. generating primary electric power at a primary electric power generator connected to the engine; c. generating primary electric power at a secondary electric power generator, connected to the engine; d. operating a plurality of electric traction motors each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels to propel the vehicle during motoring operations and to generate electricity upon braking operations of the vehicle; e. electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator; f. applying braking; g. closing the braking switch during braking; h. transmitting power generated by the traction motors a dynamic braking inverter to the primary electric power generator to operate as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power auxiliary equipment without fueling the engine during braking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A fuel reduction method for reducing fuel used by an electro-motive vehicle, that has an engine, a primary electric power generator, and a secondary electric power generator, when stopping the vehicle with a dynamic braking system that has electric traction motors, power inverters and a braking inverter, the method comprising:
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a. electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator; b. operating a controller to control the braking switch and an amount of fuel provided to the engine; c. applying braking; d. closing the braking switch during braking; e. through the braking inverter electrically connected to at least one of the traction motors, receiving electrical power from the power inverters generated by the traction motors during braking; f. selectively connecting the braking inverter electrically with the primary electric power generator during braking; g. transmitting power generated by the traction motors to the primary electric power generator to act as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power auxiliary equipment on the vehicle during braking; and h. reducing an amount of fuel provided to the engine during braking. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for reducing fuel consumption during dynamic braking of an electro-motive vehicle, the method comprising:
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a. electrically connecting a dynamic braking switch between a dynamic braking inverter and a primary alternator of the vehicle; b. applying dynamic braking; c. closing the dynamic braking switch during dynamic braking; d. transferring power generated by traction motors to dynamic braking inverters during dynamic braking; e. supplying power from the power inverters to the primary alternator to power the engine and a secondary alternator during dynamic braking; f. generating secondary electrical power with the secondary alternator during dynamic braking; and g. limiting fuel provided to an engine while the dynamic braking switch is closed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification