Hybrid locomotive regenerative energy storage system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hybrid freight train, comprising:
- at least one locomotive with an internal combustion engine;
a plurality of train cars;
a pump/motor mounted on the freight train and configured, in one mode, to be driven as a pump by mechanical rotational energy generated as a result of braking of the train, to pump a working fluid from a low pressure to a high pressure, and wherein the pump/motor is further configured, in a second mode, to be driven by pressurized fluid, to provide power output to help propel the train;
a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, carried by at least one of the train cars and fluidly connected to the pump/motor, for storage under pressure of the working fluid pressurized by the pump/motor and for supply of pressurized fluid to the pump/motor to help propel the train; and
wherein the collective peak power outputs from internal combustion engines on the locomotives of the train are insufficient to propel the train up one or more grades in the train'"'"'s route at a minimum speed of at least 20 miles per hour without the power assistance provided by the pump/motor being driven by the pressurized fluid stored and supplied by the high pressure hydraulic accumulator.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An energy storage car for a locomotive includes a hydraulic energy storage system designed to capture and reuse energy normally lost in dynamic braking. The energy storage car is preferably configured to provide functions sufficient to replace one of multiple locomotives used to pull a freight train. Braking and other methods for improved efficiency of such trains are provided.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A hybrid freight train, comprising:
-
at least one locomotive with an internal combustion engine; a plurality of train cars; a pump/motor mounted on the freight train and configured, in one mode, to be driven as a pump by mechanical rotational energy generated as a result of braking of the train, to pump a working fluid from a low pressure to a high pressure, and wherein the pump/motor is further configured, in a second mode, to be driven by pressurized fluid, to provide power output to help propel the train; a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, carried by at least one of the train cars and fluidly connected to the pump/motor, for storage under pressure of the working fluid pressurized by the pump/motor and for supply of pressurized fluid to the pump/motor to help propel the train; and wherein the collective peak power outputs from internal combustion engines on the locomotives of the train are insufficient to propel the train up one or more grades in the train'"'"'s route at a minimum speed of at least 20 miles per hour without the power assistance provided by the pump/motor being driven by the pressurized fluid stored and supplied by the high pressure hydraulic accumulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A hydraulic hybrid locomotive, comprising:
-
drive wheels; an internal combustion engine connected to an on-board tank containing liquid fuel, to combust the liquid fuel and generate power for use in the locomotive; a first hydraulic pump/motor, configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine, for pressurizing fluid; a high pressure hydraulic accumulator mounted on the locomotive, configured to selectively store and release energy in the form of pressurized fluid; and a second hydraulic pump/motor, mechanically linked to the drive wheels and configured in motor mode to be driven by pressurized fluid from the first hydraulic pump/motor or the high pressure accumulator, to propel the locomotive, and further configured in pump mode to be driven by the kinetic energy of the vehicle to pressurize fluid for storage in the high pressure hydraulic accumulator. - View Dependent Claims (9)
-
-
10. A hydraulic-electric train, comprising:
-
a first plurality of electric motor/generators, mechanically connected to the drive wheels of a locomotive of the train, said first plurality of electric motor/generators configured to be driven by the drive wheels as generators generating electrical energy during a braking event for the locomotive; a storage battery, electrically connected to the first plurality of electric motor/generators and configured to store a portion of electrical energy generated by the motor/generators at a power level within an efficient charging rate for the battery; and a hydraulic pump/motor configured also to be driven, as a pump, during the braking event, by either the drive wheels or an electric motor, using energy from the braking event for the locomotive, and thereby converting to fluid pressure for storage in a high pressure hydraulic accumulator a portion of energy from the braking event which could not be stored in the battery within the efficient charging rate for the battery.
-
-
11. A hybrid freight train, comprising:
-
a plurality of locomotives, each with an internal combustion engine mounted therein; a plurality of train cars; a pump/motor mounted on the freight train and configured, in one mode, to be driven as a pump by mechanical rotational energy generated as a result of braking of the train, to pump a working fluid from a low pressure to a high pressure, and wherein the pump/motor is further configured, in a second mode, to be driven by pressurized fluid, to provide power output to help propel the train; a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, carried by one of the train cars and fluidly connected to the pump/motor, for storage under pressure of the working fluid pressurized by the pump/motor and for supply of pressurized fluid to the pump/motor to help propel the train; and wherein the collective peak power outputs from internal combustion engines on the locomotives of the train are insufficient to propel the train up one or more grades in the train'"'"'s route at a minimum speed of at least 20 miles per hour without the power assistance provided by the pump/motor being driven by the pressurized fluid stored and supplied by the high pressure hydraulic accumulator.
-
Specification