Multiple engine hybrid locomotive
First Claim
1. A hybrid power locomotive system in a unitary locomotive, the locomotive having a plurality of electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to respective ones of a plurality of wheel-axle sets of the locomotive, the locomotive system comprising:
- a plurality of combustion engines and a corresponding plurality of electric power generators each coupled to be driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of combustion engines, all of the engines and generators being fixed in the unitary locomotive;
at least one traction motor drive connected for controlling power to the electric traction motors of the unitary locomotive;
an electric power storage device coupled to supply electric traction motor power to the traction motor drive;
an electric power controller arranged for coupling electric power from the power generators to the electric power storage device, the power controller sensing the available energy in the power storage device and the power demand from the traction drives for activating selected ones of the plurality of combustion engines for charging the power storage device, the traction motors being powered only through the power storage device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid power locomotive system has a plurality of combustion engines for driving a plurality of electric power generators that supply electric power to at least one traction battery. The battery is connected to supply power to a plurality of electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to respective ones of a plurality of wheel-axle sets of the locomotive. At least one traction motor drive is connected for controlling power to the electric traction motors. An electric power controller is arranged for coupling electric power from the power generators to the battery and senses the available energy in the battery and the power demand from the traction drives for activating selected ones of the plurality of combustion engines for charging the battery.
39 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A hybrid power locomotive system in a unitary locomotive, the locomotive having a plurality of electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to respective ones of a plurality of wheel-axle sets of the locomotive, the locomotive system comprising:
- a plurality of combustion engines and a corresponding plurality of electric power generators each coupled to be driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of combustion engines, all of the engines and generators being fixed in the unitary locomotive;
at least one traction motor drive connected for controlling power to the electric traction motors of the unitary locomotive;
an electric power storage device coupled to supply electric traction motor power to the traction motor drive;
an electric power controller arranged for coupling electric power from the power generators to the electric power storage device, the power controller sensing the available energy in the power storage device and the power demand from the traction drives for activating selected ones of the plurality of combustion engines for charging the power storage device, the traction motors being powered only through the power storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- a plurality of combustion engines and a corresponding plurality of electric power generators each coupled to be driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of combustion engines, all of the engines and generators being fixed in the unitary locomotive;
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8. A hybrid power locomotive system comprising:
- a plurality of combustion engines;
a plurality of electric power generators each coupled to be driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of combustion engines;
a plurality of electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to respective ones of a plurality of wheel-axle sets of the locomotive;
at least one traction motor drive connected for controlling power to electric traction motors;
an electric power storage device coupled to supply power to the traction motor drives;
an electric power controller arranged for coupling electric power from the power generators to the electric power storage device, the power controller sensing the available energy in the power storage device and the power demand from the traction drives for activating selected ones of the plurality of combustion engines for charging the power storage device;
a separate traction motor drive for each of a defined group of traction motors and each group of traction motors comprising one or more motors, wherein the traction motors and associated traction drives are arranged in groups of multiple motors, each group of motors having a separate energy storage device and each energy storage device being charged by a different one of the plurality of electric power generators.
- a plurality of combustion engines;
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9. A hybrid power locomotive system comprising:
- a plurality of combustion engines;
a plurality of electric power generators each coupled to be driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of combustion engines;
a plurality of electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to respective ones of a plurality of wheel-axle sets of the locomotive;
at least one traction motor drive connected for controlling power to electric traction motors;
an electric power storage device coupled to supply power to the traction motor drives;
an electric power controller arranged for coupling electric power from the power generators to the electric power storage device, the power controller sensing the available energy in the power storage device and the power demand from the traction drives for activating selected ones of the plurality of combustion engines for charging the power storage device;
an energy management system power control comprised of a controller using sensed voltage of the energy storage unit and a traction motor power demand to control selective operation of the combustion engines, wherein the controller produces an energy management power command signal comprising the sum of;
a first error representative of a difference between energy storage device voltage and a first reference voltage;
a power signal representative of traction drive power demand; and
a second error signal representative of a difference between traction battery voltage and a second reference signal representative of an overvoltage state. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
- a plurality of combustion engines;
Specification