Dual engine locomotive
First Claim
1. A method of operating a locomotive comprising:
- providing a small engine system including a small engine having a maximum rated power output of 1,000 brake horsepower (bhp);
providing a large engine system including a large engine having a minimum rated power output of 3,000 bhp;
commanding low power output of the locomotive for propulsion;
delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion from the small engine system while the large engine system is turned off;
commanding higher power output of the locomotive for propulsion;
delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion from the large engine system while the small engine system is turned off;
commanding a highest power output of the locomotive for propulsion; and
delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion simultaneously from the large engine system and the small engine system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diesel-electric locomotive has two separate engine systems, including a large engine system and a small engine system. The power output from the separate engine systems may be combined to power the locomotive'"'"'s traction motors. When the locomotive requires low power output for propulsion, only the small engine system is used to power the traction motors. When the locomotive requires higher power output, only the large engine system is used to power the traction motors. When the locomotive requires maximum power output, the small and the large engine system may both be used and their power output combined to power the traction motors. Also, a unique control strategy maintains a smooth delivery of power to the traction motors in the event that one engine shuts down or starts as a result of a change in the commanded power output of the locomotive.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of operating a locomotive comprising:
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providing a small engine system including a small engine having a maximum rated power output of 1,000 brake horsepower (bhp); providing a large engine system including a large engine having a minimum rated power output of 3,000 bhp; commanding low power output of the locomotive for propulsion; delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion from the small engine system while the large engine system is turned off; commanding higher power output of the locomotive for propulsion; delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion from the large engine system while the small engine system is turned off; commanding a highest power output of the locomotive for propulsion; and delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion simultaneously from the large engine system and the small engine system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a locomotive comprising:
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providing a first engine system, the first engine system including a low horsepower small diesel engine having a maximum rated power output of 1,000 brake horsepower (bhp) and a first traction electrical generator; providing a second engine system, the second engine system including a high horsepower large diesel engine having a minimum rated power output of 3,000 bhp and a second traction electrical generator; commanding a first power output of the locomotive for propulsion; delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion from the first engine system while the second engine system is turned off in order to fulfill the command for the first power output; commanding a second power output of the locomotive for propulsion which is more than the first power output; and delivering electrical power to the locomotive for propulsion from the second engine system while the first engine system is turned off in order to fulfill the command for the second power output. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A locomotive comprising:
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a first engine system including a first engine with a rated power output of between 400 and 1,000 bhp and a first traction electrical generator; a second engine system including a second engine with a rated power output of between 3000 and 4,200 bhp and a second traction electrical generator; a plurality of traction motors electrically connected to the first traction electrical generator and the second traction electrical generator; and a control system for controlling operation of the first engine and the second engine to drive the locomotive. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification