Vehicle system and method

• US 9,003,977 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Billig, Ronald Gene, Shah, Taral
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jason C
• Application Number:
  US13/601,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20140060377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 105/62.1, 105/1.4, 105/26.05, 105/26.1, 105/62.2
• US Class Current: 105/62.1
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/02 Bunkers; Tanks; Tenders coachwork B61D; Water or fuel pick-up or scoop apparatus; Water or fuel supply fittings trackside installations, e.g. bunkers, tanks, for filling locomotives with sand or water B61K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/04 Arrangement or disposition of driving cabins, footplates or engine rooms; Ventilation thereof driving cabins and accessories B61D
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/12 Control gear; Arrangements for controlling locomotives from remote points in the train or when operating in multiple units control from points outside the train B61L3/00; fluid-actuated telemotors, servomotors F15B; control devices in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 5/00 Locomotives or motor railcars with IC engines or gas turbines characterised by power transmission B61C9/00; engines F02
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 30/00 Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance

Abstract

Various methods and systems are provided for a rail vehicle. In one example, a rail vehicle includes a first engine positioned in a central location of the rail vehicle, the first engine configured to combust at least one of a first fuel or a second fuel. The rail vehicle further includes a fuel tank positioned in place of an operator cab, the fuel tank configured to store the second fuel.

Claims

1. A rail vehicle, comprising:

a first engine positioned in a central location of the rail vehicle, the first engine configured to combust at least one of a first fuel or a second fuel; and

a fuel tank positioned in place of an operator cab, the fuel tank configured to store the second fuel, wherein the rail vehicle is a first rail vehicle configured to be coupled directly behind a second rail vehicle, and wherein the first engine includes a fuel injection system for the first fuel, and further comprising a conduit configured to route the second fuel from the fuel tank to a second engine in the second rail vehicle.

2. The rail vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a control system, and wherein the first engine and the second engine are in communication via the control system.

3. The rail vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rail vehicle includes a front truck and a rear truck and the fuel tank is positioned above the front truck, and wherein the central location is between innermost wheels of the front truck and the rear truck.

4. A vehicle consist, comprising:

a first rail vehicle without an operator cab at a position in the first rail vehicle, the first rail vehicle comprising a first engine and a fuel tank configured to hold a second fuel, the fuel tank positioned at a position in a second rail vehicle, and the first engine disposed behind the fuel tank and configured to combust at least one of a first fuel or the second fuel;

a second rail vehicle with an operator cab at the position, the second rail vehicle further having a second engine, the second engine positioned between the operator cab and an end of the second rail vehicle furthest away from the operator cab and configured to combust at least one of the first fuel or the second fuel; and

a conduit which fluidly couples the fuel tank in the first rail vehicle to at least one of the first engine or the second engine.

5. The vehicle consist of claim 4, wherein the operator cab comprises a structure that defines an interior, open space with dimensions of at least 1.5 meters by 2 meters by 2.5 meters.

6. The vehicle consist of claim 4, wherein the first engine includes a first fuel injection system for the first fuel and a second fuel injection system for the second fuel, and wherein the first fuel is diesel and the second fuel is liquefied natural gas.

7. The vehicle consist of claim 4, wherein the second engine includes a first fuel injection system for the first fuel and a second fuel injection system for the second fuel, and wherein the first fuel is diesel and the second fuel is liquefied natural gas.

8. The vehicle consist of claim 4, wherein the operator cab includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and at least one window.

9. The vehicle consist of claim 4, wherein the second rail vehicle includes a first truck and a second truck, and wherein the first engine is disposed in a central location between innermost wheels of the first truck and the second truck.

10. The vehicle consist of claim 4, wherein the first rail vehicle includes a front truck and a rear truck, and wherein the second engine is disposed in a central location between innermost wheels of the first truck and the second truck, and the fuel tank is positioned above the first truck.

11. A rail vehicle, comprising:

a first truck with a first plurality of wheels and a second truck with a second plurality of wheels;

a first engine disposed between innermost wheels of the first truck and the second truck, the first engine configured to combust at least one of a first fuel or a second fuel; and

a fuel system disposed in a first region of the rail vehicle at a position above the first truck instead of an operator cab, the fuel system including a fuel tank for the second fuel and a conduit fluidly coupling the fuel tank to the first engine,

wherein the rail vehicle is a first rail vehicle which is coupled directly to a second rail vehicle, and wherein the conduit is further configured to fluidly couple the fuel tank to a second engine in the second rail vehicle that is configured to combust at least one of the first fuel or the second fuel.

12. The rail vehicle of claim 11, wherein the second rail vehicle includes a position in which an operator cab is disposed and the first rail vehicle does not include an operator cab.