Multimode hybrid energy railway vehicle system and method

• US 7,231,877 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2003
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith Kuttannair
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano; S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCarry, Jr.; Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US10/435,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20030233959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 105/26.05, 105/35, 105/49, 105/50, 105/53, 105/54, 105/59, 105/61.5, 105/62.1
• US Class Current: 105/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/20 DC electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/53 in combination with an external power supply, e.g. from overhead contact lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 9/005 Interference suppression
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 9/02 using dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 9/16 using ac induction motors
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 3/02 with electric accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 30/00 : Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A hybrid energy railway vehicle system having a traction motor with a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor and for generating dynamic braking electrical energy and an electrical energy storage system that is in electrical communication with the traction motor and that stores dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor. The system also has a hybrid energy railway vehicle with a plurality of wheels wherein the traction motor has a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy. A converter selectively provides stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels. The hybrid energy railway vehicle is optionally equipped computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for controlling the operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle and a processor configured to control the operation of the railway vehicle as a function of at least one of a plurality of operating modes.

Claims

1. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor coupled to at least one of the wheels, said traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving the coupled wheel and a dynamic braking mode of operation for braking the coupled wheel, and said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy source and the traction motor for storing electrical energy, said energy storage system storing charging electrical energy supplied by the energy source to the energy storage system and storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking, said energy storage system selectively supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor for driving the coupled wheel;

a control system controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle, wherein the control system comprises;

a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for controlling the operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle, said computer executable instructions defining a plurality of hybrid energy railway vehicle operating modes, each of said operating modes defining a set of operational parameters; and

a processor configured to control the operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle as a function of at least one of the operating modes.

2. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 1, further comprising a resistive grid electrically connected to the energy storage system, said resistive grid dissipating electrical energy selectively supplied thereto by either the energy source or the traction motor operating in the dynamic braking mode or both.

3. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the operating modes include one or more of the following:

a switcher mode, an energy tender mode, a pusher mode, and a roadmate mode.

4. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the set of operational parameters includes one or more of the following:

defining a configuration of the energy storage system, operating the traction motor in the dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy, dissipating dynamic braking electrical energy, receiving external electrical energy, supplying stored electrical energy, generating charging electrical energy, operating the traction motor in the motoring mode, storing charging electrical energy, storing dynamic braking electrical energy, storing received external electrical energy, and receiving a control command from an external control system.

5. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor coupled to at least one of the wheels, said traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving the coupled wheel and a dynamic braking mode of operation for braking the coupled wheel, and said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy source and the traction motor for storing electrical energy, said energy storage system storing charging electrical energy supplied by the energy source to the energy storage system and storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking, said energy storage system selectively supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor for driving the coupled wheel; and

a control system controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle,

wherein the control system is configured to control operation of another railway vehicle.

6. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor coupled to at least one of the wheels, said traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving the coupled wheel and a dynamic braking mode of operation for braking the coupled wheel, and said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy source and the traction motor for storing electrical energy, said energy storage system storing charging electrical energy supplied by the energy source to the energy storage system and storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking, said energy storage system selectively supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor for driving the coupled wheel;

a control system controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

a communication link in communication with the control system, said communication link being configured to receive a control command from an external control system and to provide the control command to the control system, and wherein the control system is responsive to the control command for selecting an operating mode for controlling operation of the railway vehicle.

7. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 6 wherein the communication link is a wireless communication facility.

8. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor coupled to at least one of the wheels, said traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving the coupled wheel and a dynamic braking mode of operation for braking the coupled wheel, and said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy source and the traction motor for storing electrical energy, said energy storage system storing charging electrical energy supplied by the energy source to the energy storage system and storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking, said energy storage system selectively supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor for driving the coupled wheel; and

an external energy transfer interface for receiving external electrical energy from an external electrical energy system or for discharging electrical energy to the external electrical energy system, said energy storage system storing the received external electrical energy.

9. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 8 wherein the external energy transfer interface is adapted to be detachably connected to one or more of the following:

a locomotive, a second hybrid energy railway vehicle, an electric power grid, an electric third rail, an electrical overhead line, and an external charging system.

10. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor coupled to at least one of the wheels, said traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving the coupled wheel and a dynamic braking mode of operation for braking the coupled wheel, and said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy; and

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy source and the traction motor for storing electrical energy, said energy storage system storing charging electrical energy supplied by the energy source to the energy storage system and storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking, said energy storage system selectively supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor for driving the coupled wheel, wherein the energy source is a fuel cell.

11. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor coupled to at least one of the wheels, said traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving the coupled wheel and a dynamic braking mode of operation for braking the coupled wheel, and said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy; and

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy source and the traction motor for storing electrical energy, said energy storage system storing charging electrical energy supplied by the energy source to the energy storage system and storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking, said energy storage system selectively supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor for driving the coupled wheel, wherein the energy storage system comprises a removable electrical energy storage unit, and wherein the removable storage unit is configured to be electrically charged or discharged remotely from the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

12. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the traction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking;

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels; and

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy to the energy storage system, said energy storage system being electrically coupled to the energy source and storing the supplied charging electrical energy, wherein the energy source is a fuel cell.

13. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said fraction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the fraction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking;

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels;

an electrical energy source for supplying charging electrical energy to the energy storage system, said energy storage system being electrically coupled to the energy source and storing the supplied charging electrical energy; and

an external energy transfer interface for discharging supplied charging electrical energy to an external electrical energy system.

14. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said fraction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the traction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking;

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the fraction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels; and

a control system controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle,

wherein the control system comprises;

a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for controlling the operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle, said computer executable instructions defining a plurality of railway vehicle operating modes, each of said operating modes defining a set of operational parameters; and

a processor configured to control the operation of the railway vehicle as a function of at least one of the operating modes.

15. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of operating modes includes one or more of the following:

a switcher mode, an energy tender mode, a pusher mode, and a roadmate mode.

16. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 15 wherein the set of operational parameters includes one or more of the following:

defining a configuration of the energy storage system, operating the traction motor in the dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy, dissipating dynamic braking electrical energy, receiving external electrical energy, supplying stored electrical energy, generating charging electrical energy, operating the traction motor in the motoring mode, storing charging electrical energy, storing dynamic braking electrical energy, storing received external electrical energy, and receiving a control command from an external control system.

17. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the traction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking;

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels; and

a control system controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle, wherein the control system is configured to control operation of another railway vehicle.

18. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the traction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking;

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels;

further comprising a control system controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

a communication link in communication with the control system, said communication link being configured to receive a control command from an external control system and to provide the control command to the control system, and wherein the control system is responsive to the control command for selecting an operating mode for controlling operation of the railway vehicle.

19. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 18 wherein the communication link is a wireless communication facility.

20. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said fraction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the traction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking;

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels; and

an external energy transfer interface for receiving external electrical energy from an external electrical energy system or for discharging electrical energy to the external electrical energy system, said energy storage system storing the received external electrical energy.

21. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the traction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking; and

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheel, wherein the external energy transfer interface is adapted to be detachably connected to one or more of the following;

a locomotive, a second hybrid energy railway vehicle, an electric power grid, an electric third rail, an electrical overhead line, and an external charging system.

22. A hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

a hybrid energy railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels;

a traction motor having a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy, said traction motor also having a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor, said traction motor generating dynamic braking electrical energy when operating in the dynamic braking mode;

an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the traction motor for selectively storing dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor during braking; and

a converter selectively providing stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels, wherein the energy storage system comprises a removable electrical energy storage unit.

23. The hybrid energy railway vehicle system of claim 22 wherein the removable storage unit is configured to be electrically charged or discharged remotely from the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

24. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

selectively supplying the charging electrical energy to a resistive grid; and

dissipating into heat energy the charging electrical energy supplied to the resistive grid.

25. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

selectively supplying the dynamic braking electrical energy to a resistive grid; and

dissipating into heat energy the dynamic braking electrical energy supplied to the resistive grid.

26. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

supplying stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to a locomotive that is electrically coupled to the hybrid energy railway vehicle, said locomotive comprising a traction motor, the locomotive traction motor operating in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy.

27. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle

receiving external electrical energy from an external electrical energy system; and

storing the received external electrical energy to the energy storage system.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the external electrical energy system is one or more of the following:

a locomotive, a second hybrid energy railway vehicle, an electric power grid, a third rail, an overhead electric line, and an external charging system.

29. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

selectively supplying stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to an external electrical energy system.

30. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

supplying charging electrical energy from the energy source to an external electrical energy system.

31. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

selectively supplying dynamic braking electrical energy from the traction motor to an external electrical energy system.

32. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle

removing from the hybrid energy railway vehicle a removable storage unit of the energy storage system;

charging the storage unit remotely from the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

installing the charged storage unit on the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

33. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

charging a removable storage unit of the energy storage system;

removing from the hybrid energy railway vehicle the charged storage unit; and

discharging the removed storage unit remotely from the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

34. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

controlling operation of another railway vehicle from the control system of the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

35. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

receiving a control signal from an external control system; and

controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle in response to the received control signal.

36. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

supplying charging electrical energy with an electrical energy source;

storing charging electrical energy in an electrical energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving on or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

defining a plurality of operating modes, each of the plurality of operating modes defining a set of operational parameters and specifying a value for each of the operational parameters in the set of operational parameters as a function of an optimization characteristic; and

controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle as a function of a particular set of operational parameters defined by a particular operating mode in response to a selection of the particular operating mode.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the plurality of operating modes includes one or more of the following:

a switcher mode, an energy tender mode, a pusher mode, and a roadmate mode.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the set of operational parameters includes one or more of the following:

defining a configuration of the energy storage system, operating the traction motor in the dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy, dissipating dynamic braking electrical energy, receiving external electrical energy, supplying stored electrical energy, generating charging electrical energy, operating the traction motor in the motoring mode, storing charging electrical energy, storing dynamic braking electrical energy, storing received external electrical energy, and receiving a control command from an external control system.

39. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

selectively supplying dynamic braking electrical energy to a resistive grid; and

dissipating into heat energy the dynamic braking electrical energy supplied to the resistive grid.

40. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

selectively supplying stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to an external electrical energy system.

41. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in the energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor; and

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle, wherein the external electrical energy system is one or more of the following;

a second railway vehicle, an electric power grid, a third rail, an overhead electric line, and an external storage system.

42. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stared electrical energy to the traction motor; and

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle, wherein the external electrical energy system is a locomotive, said locomotive being electrically coupled to the railway vehicle and being configured with a traction motor, said locomotive traction motor operating in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy.

43. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

receiving external electrical energy from an external electrical energy system; and

storing the received external electrical energy to the energy storage system.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the external electrical energy system is one or more of the following:

a locomotive, a second hybrid energy railway vehicle, an electric power grid, a third rail, an overhead electric line, and an external charging system.

45. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

and supplying dynamic braking electrical energy from the traction motor to an external electrical energy system.

46. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

removing from the hybrid energy railway vehicle a removable storage unit of the energy storage system;

charging the storage unit remotely from the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

installing the charged storage unit on the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

47. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stared electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

charging a removable storage unit of the energy storage system;

removing from the hybrid energy railway vehicle the charged storage unit; and

discharging the removed storage unit remotely from the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

48. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle; and

controlling operation of another railway vehicle from the control system of the hybrid energy railway vehicle.

49. A method of operating a hybrid energy railway vehicle system comprising:

operating a traction motor in a dynamic braking mode to generate dynamic braking electrical energy;

storing dynamic braking electrical energy in an energy storage system to produce stored electrical energy;

supplying stored electrical energy to the traction motor;

operating the traction motor in a motoring mode in response to the supplied stored electrical energy for driving one or more wheels of the hybrid energy railway vehicle;

receiving a control signal from an external control system; and

controlling an operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle in response to the received control signal.