Auxiliary locomotive engine warming system

• US 7,769,537 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2008
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Power Drives Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Power Drives Incorporated
• Inventors: Gross, Brian D., O'Neal, Kevin W., Gates, Bradley R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gimie; Mahmoud
• Application Number:
  US12/150,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20090272353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 701/113, 123/142.5 R, 123/142.5 E, 123/DIG.8, 123/198.D, 123/196.AB, 123/179.19, 123/41.33
• US Class Current: 701/113
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/10 Safety devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/04 by heating of fluids used in engines

Abstract

An auxiliary engine warming system for a primary engine in a diesel locomotive including: a modular engine assembly including an auxiliary diesel engine, the assembly displaceable as a unit from and to a frame for the engine warming system; an auxiliary fuel tank including a fuel line detachably connected to the auxiliary engine and including a first fitting detachably connectable to a first fuel line for a fuel tank for the diesel; at least one temperature sensor interfacable with the diesel locomotive and arranged to monitor at least one temperature condition for the diesel locomotive; and an emergency dialer for automatically dialing a preprogrammed number and transmitting an alert message in response to an alarm signal from the at least one temperature sensor.

Claims

1. An auxiliary engine warming system for a primary engine in a diesel locomotive comprising:

a modular engine assembly including an auxiliary diesel engine, the assembly displaceable as a unit from and to a frame for the engine warming system;

an auxiliary fuel tank including a fuel line detachably connected to the auxiliary engine and including a first fitting detachably connectable to a first fuel line for a primary fuel tank for the diesel locomotive;

a heater operatively connected to receive diesel fuel from said primary fuel tank and to dump excess diesel fuel to said auxiliary fuel tank, said heater operatively arranged to heat at least one fluid of said primary engine by burning said diesel fuel;

at least one temperature sensor interfacable with the diesel locomotive and arranged to monitor at least one temperature condition for the diesel locomotive; and

,

an emergency dialer for automatically dialing a preprogrammed number and transmitting an alert message in response to an alarm signal from the at least one temperature sensor.

2. The auxiliary engine warming system recited in claim 1 wherein the engine assembly includes a mounting plate, wherein the auxiliary engine is secured to the mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate is slidingly engagable with at least one slot in a frame of the auxiliary engine warming system for insertion into and removal from the frame, and wherein the plate is detachably fastened to the frame by a plurality of threaded fasteners.

3. The auxiliary engine warming system recited in claim 1 further comprising a vibration dampening means for reducing a transmission of vibrations from the auxiliary engine to the locomotive.

4. The auxiliary engine warming system recited in claim 1 wherein the engine assembly includes a generator mechanically coupled to an output of the auxiliary engine.

5. The auxiliary engine warming system recited in claim 1 wherein the heater includes a second fitting detachably connectable to a second fuel line for the primary fuel tank of the diesel locomotive.

6. The auxiliary engine warming system recited in claim 5 wherein the first and second fittings are the only fittings in the system connectable between the system and the fuel tank for the diesel locomotive.

7. The auxiliary engine warming system recited in claim 5 wherein the first and second fittings are the only fittings in the system necessary to supply fuel to the system.

8. The auxiliary engine warming system recited in claim 1 further comprising a controller connected to the at least one temperature sensor and the dialer and wherein the at least one sensor includes a coolant temperature sensor and oil temperature sensor.

9. An auxiliary engine warming system for a primary engine in a diesel locomotive comprising:

a modular engine assembly including an auxiliary diesel engine and a generator mounted to a plate, the assembly removable as a unit from a frame for the engine warming system via a slidable engagement between the plate and the frame and the plate detachably connected to the frame with a plurality of threaded fasteners;

an auxiliary fuel tank including a fuel line detachably connected to the auxiliary engine and including a first fitting detachably connectable to a first fuel line for a fuel tank for the diesel;

a coolant heater with a second fitting detachably connectable to a second fuel line for the fuel tank for the diesel;

a coolant temperature sensor interfacable with a cooling system for the diesel locomotive;

an oil temperature sensor interfacable with an oil system for the diesel locomotive;

a controller arranged to receive signals from the coolant and oil sensors; and

, an emergency dialer arranged to receive signals from the controller and to automatically dial a preprogrammed number to transmit an alert message in response to an alarm signal from the coolant sensor or the oil sensor, wherein the first and second fittings are the only fittings in the system used to supply fuel to the system.

10. An auxiliary engine warming system for a primary engine in a diesel locomotive comprising:

an auxiliary diesel engine;

an electrical generator mechanically coupled to an output of the auxiliary engine;

a temperature sensor operatively arranged to measure a temperature of a coolant in the primary engine of the locomotive;

an emergency dialer for automatically dialing a preprogrammed number and transmitting an alert message when the temperature sensor measures a temperature below a minimum limit temperature of the coolant;

a mounting plate, wherein the auxiliary engine is secured to the mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate is operatively arranged to slidingly engage with at least one slot in a frame of the auxiliary engine warming system;

a vibration dampening means for reducing a transmission of vibrations from the auxiliary engine to the locomotive;

an auxiliary fuel tank arranged between a primary fuel tank of the locomotive and the auxiliary engine;

a coolant pump for pumping the coolant from the primary engine through the coolant heater, and a coolant heater for warming the coolant as the coolant is pumped through the coolant heater and back into the primary engine; and

,

an oil pump for circulating oil in an oil sump of the primary engine through the primary engine.