System and method for capturing energy from a railcar

• US 8,069,792 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sandor Wayne Shapery
• Original Assignee: Sandor Wayne Shapery
• Inventors: Shapery, Sandor Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, IV, Joe
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCARRY JR, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US12/184,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20090032350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 104/287, 104/289, 104/291, 104/292, 191/22.R, 191/29.R, 191/29.DM, 191/33.R, 191/35, 191/36, 191/22.C
• US Class Current: 104/287
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 13/03 Electric propulsion by linear motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/005 without mechanical contact between the collector and the power supply line
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 3/06 Arrangements for consuming regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 3/00 Electric locomotives or railcars characterised by power transmission B61C9/00; electrical features B60L; H02
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 43/00 Devices for using the energy of the movements of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 41/03 Synchronous motors; Motors moving step by step; Reluctance motors H02K41/035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1869 Linear generators; sectional generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 30/00 Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance

Abstract

A method and system of using one or more railcar linear electric generators to decelerate a vehicle such as a train consist. In one embodiment, the one of more electric generators are configured to capture deceleration energy and supply the energy to one or more power grid connections. The one of more railcar electric generators may also operate as motors to assist propelling a train consist. Optional energy storage may also be included.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a rail system to generate electrical power, comprising:

positioning a source of magnetic flux so as to induce a magnetic field in a first conductor;

positioning a second conductor substantially stationary relative to the source of magnetic flux, so as to generate an electric current in response to a relative motion of the first and second conductors;

electrically coupling the second conductor to a power line of an electric power transmission system so as to supply energy to the power transmission system during the downhill travel of a rail car;

attaching the first conductor to the underside of a railcar at a first switch yard to decelerate the rail car downhill; and

removing the first conductor from the underside of the railcar at a second switch yard.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising supplying electric power to the second conductor to assist in the uphill propulsion of the rail car.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first or second conductor is attached to the rail car at a first switch yard to assist the rail car uphill and removed from the rail car at a second switch yard.

4. A method of configuring a rail system to generate electrical power, comprising:

positioning a source of magnetic flux so as to induce a magnetic field in a first conductor;

positioning a second conductor substantially stationary relative to the source of magnetic flux, so as to generate an electric current in response to a relative motion of the first and second conductors;

electrically coupling the second conductor to a power line of an electric power transmission system so as to supply energy to the power transmission system during the downhill travel of a rail car; and

using one or more linear electric motor cars to assist a train up an uphill climb, the train having one or more dual-mode locomotives for primary propulsion power.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising adding the one or more linear electric motor cars to the train prior to traversing an incline and removing the one or more linear electric motor cars from the train subsequent to the traversing.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising generating power using the one or more linear electric motor cars while traversing a decline so as to brake the rail car.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein electrically coupling the second conductor to a power line of a power transmission system comprises electrically coupling the coil to at least one of a catenary and a third rail.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising connecting an energy storage device to the second conductor so as to store energy generated during the downhill travel of the rail car.