Hybrid energy off highway vehicle electric power storage system and method
First Claim
1. A computerized system for operating a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered railroad train, said railroad train including:
- at least one railway vehicle supported on a plurality of wheels for engaging railroad rails;
a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the railway vehicle;
a primary electric power generator carried on the railroad vehicle for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the railroad vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the railroad vehicle for generating dynamic braking electrical power;
an electrical energy capture system carried on the railroad vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the train and for discharging the stored electrical power to propel the railroad vehicle;
a direct current (DC) bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system and the electrical energy capture system;
a plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits electrically connected to the vehicle propulsion system for dissipating excess electrical power on the railroad vehicle, with each grid circuit including at least one dynamic braking resistance grid and being connected to the DC bus;
a plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking grid circuits, with at least one grid switching device for each dynamic braking grid circuit for controlling the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid;
said computerized system comprising;
a processor executing computer executable instructions for controlling flow of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the railroad vehicle, said computer executable instructions including;
transmission instructions for controlling the transmission of electrical power from the primary electric power generator to the DC bus, controlling the transmission of electrical power from the DC bus to the electrical energy capture system, and controlling the transmission of electrical power to the DC bus from the electrical energy capture system, said transmission instructions controlling during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the railroad vehicle, wherein;
said processor provides a first control signal to the electrical energy capture system to control the selective storing of electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the railroad train, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the railroad train, a present speed of the railroad vehicle, an anticipated speed of the railroad vehicle, a present electrical load of the railroad vehicle, and an anticipated electrical load of the railroad vehicle; and
said processor provides a second control signal to the primary electric power generator to control the selective supplying of primary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the railroad train, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the railroad train, a present speed of the railroad vehicle, an anticipated speed of the railroad vehicle, a present electrical load of the railroad vehicle, and an anticipated electrical load of the railroad vehicle; and
dissipating instructions for controlling during braking the travel of the railroad vehicle the operation of each of the plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits to control the flow of electrical power from the DC bus to the respective resistance grid, wherein the dissipating instructions control a duty cycle of at least one of the plurality of grid switching devices such that electrical power generated by the vehicle propulsion system that the electrical energy capture system is able to store is not dissipated by the plurality of resistive grids.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computerized system for use in connection with a hybrid energy off highway vehicle system of a off highway vehicle. The hybrid energy off highway vehicle system includes an off highway vehicle, a primary power source, and an off highway vehicle traction motor propelling the off highway vehicle in response to the primary electric power, and an energy capture system for storing and/or transferring electrical power. An energy management processor carried on the off highway vehicle controls transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the off highway vehicle.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A computerized system for operating a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered railroad train, said railroad train including:
- at least one railway vehicle supported on a plurality of wheels for engaging railroad rails;
a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the railway vehicle;
a primary electric power generator carried on the railroad vehicle for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the railroad vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the railroad vehicle for generating dynamic braking electrical power;
an electrical energy capture system carried on the railroad vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the train and for discharging the stored electrical power to propel the railroad vehicle;
a direct current (DC) bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system and the electrical energy capture system;
a plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits electrically connected to the vehicle propulsion system for dissipating excess electrical power on the railroad vehicle, with each grid circuit including at least one dynamic braking resistance grid and being connected to the DC bus;
a plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking grid circuits, with at least one grid switching device for each dynamic braking grid circuit for controlling the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid;
said computerized system comprising;a processor executing computer executable instructions for controlling flow of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the railroad vehicle, said computer executable instructions including; transmission instructions for controlling the transmission of electrical power from the primary electric power generator to the DC bus, controlling the transmission of electrical power from the DC bus to the electrical energy capture system, and controlling the transmission of electrical power to the DC bus from the electrical energy capture system, said transmission instructions controlling during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the railroad vehicle, wherein; said processor provides a first control signal to the electrical energy capture system to control the selective storing of electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the railroad train, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the railroad train, a present speed of the railroad vehicle, an anticipated speed of the railroad vehicle, a present electrical load of the railroad vehicle, and an anticipated electrical load of the railroad vehicle; andsaid processor provides a second control signal to the primary electric power generator to control the selective supplying of primary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the railroad train, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the railroad train, a present speed of the railroad vehicle, an anticipated speed of the railroad vehicle, a present electrical load of the railroad vehicle, and an anticipated electrical load of the railroad vehicle; anddissipating instructions for controlling during braking the travel of the railroad vehicle the operation of each of the plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits to control the flow of electrical power from the DC bus to the respective resistance grid, wherein the dissipating instructions control a duty cycle of at least one of the plurality of grid switching devices such that electrical power generated by the vehicle propulsion system that the electrical energy capture system is able to store is not dissipated by the plurality of resistive grids. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- at least one railway vehicle supported on a plurality of wheels for engaging railroad rails;
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13. A computerized system for operating a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered off-highway load vehicle, said off-highway vehicle (OHV) including:
- a plurality of wheels for supporting and propelling the OHV, a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the OHV;
a primary electric power generator carried on the OHV for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the OHV, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the OHV for generating dynamic braking electrical power;
an electrical energy capture system carried on the OHV for storing electrical power generated on the OHV and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle, including selectively using the stored electric power to propel the OHV;
a direct current (DC) bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, vehicle propulsion system and electrical energy capture system;
a plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits electrically connected to the vehicle propulsion system for dissipating excess electrical power on the OHV, with each grid circuit including at least one dynamic braking resistance grid and being connected to the DC bus;
a plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits, with at least one grid switching device for each dynamic braking grid circuit for controlling the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid;
said computerized system comprising;a processor executing computer executable instructions for controlling flow of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the OHV, said computer executable instructions including; transmission instructions for controlling the transmission of electrical power from the primary electric power generator to the DC bus, controlling the transmission of electrical power from the DC bus to the electrical energy capture system, and controlling the transmission of electrical power to the DC bus from the electrical energy capture system, said transmission instructions controlling during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the OHV, wherein; said processor provides a first control signal to the electrical energy capture system to control the selective storing of electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV; andsaid processor provides a second control signal to the primary electric power generator to control the selective supplying of primary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV; anddissipating instructions for controlling during braking the travel of the OHV the operation of each of the plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits to control the flow of electrical power from the DC bus to the respective resistance grid, wherein the dissipating instructions control a duty cycle of at least one of the plurality of grid switching devices such electrical power generated by the vehicle propulsion system that the electrical energy capture system is able to store is not dissipate by the plurality of resistive grids. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- a plurality of wheels for supporting and propelling the OHV, a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the OHV;
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25. A method for operating a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered off-highway vehicle (OHV) including a plurality of wheels for supporting and propelling the OHV, a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the OHV;
- a primary electric power generator carried on the OHV for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is response to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the OHV for generating dynamic braking electrical power;
an electrical energy capture system carried on the vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the OHV and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the OHV, including selectively using the stored electric power to propel the OHV;
a direct current (DC) bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, vehicle propulsion system and electrical energy capture system;
a plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits electrically connected to the vehicle propulsion system for dissipating excess electrical power on the OHV, with each grid circuit including at least one dynamic braking resistance grid and being connected to the DC bus;
a plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking grid circuits, with at least one grid switching device for each dynamic braking grid circuit for controlling the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid, said method comprising;controlling the transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits as a function of transmission instructions during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the OHV said controlling comprising; providing a first control signal from an energy management processor of the OHV to the electrical energy capture system to control the selective storing of electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode as a function of said transmission instructions and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV, andproviding a second control signal from the processor of the OHV to the primary electric power generator to control the selective supplying of primary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;
a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV; andcontrolling the transmission of electrical power during braking of the travel of the OHV to each of the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits as a function of dissipating instructions for controlling the amount of excess electrical power dissipated in the respective resistance grid, wherein the dissipating instructions control a duty cycle of at least one of the plurality of grid switching devices such that electrical power generated by the vehicle propulsion system that the electrical energy capture system is able to store is not dissipated by the plurality of resistive grids. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
- a primary electric power generator carried on the OHV for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is response to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the OHV for generating dynamic braking electrical power;
Specification