Hybrid propulsion system and method
First Claim
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1. A locomotive propulsion system, comprising:
- one or more engine/generator sets, wherein engines of the engine/generator sets operate by burning one or more of ethanol, butanol, alcohol, and blends thereof, and hydrogen;
traction motors electrically coupled to the engine/generator sets, wherein the traction motors operate in a motor mode to drive wheels to propel a locomotive, and operate in a generator mode to generate electrical power during locomotive braking periods;
a main storage battery coupled to the engine/generator sets and the traction motors, wherein the engine/generator sets operate to provide an electrical charge to the main storage battery, wherein the traction motors operate in the generator mode to charge the main storage battery, and wherein the main storage battery provides electrical power to the traction motors;
an electromechanical battery coupled to the electrical/generator sets and the traction motors, wherein the traction motors operate in a charging mode to charge the electromechanical battery, and wherein the battery operates in a boost mode to drive the traction motors;
an energy dissipation unit coupled to the traction motors and operable to dissipate excess electrical power; and
a predictive power system that uses locomotive location and mode of operation to determine an appropriate locomotive power setting.
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Abstract
A hybrid propulsion system includes a prime mover system, a driving system, an energy storage system, a regenerative braking system, and a control system usable to control operation of the prime mover, driving, energy storage, and regenerative braking systems. The control system receives inputs of geographic location, speed, and terrain features, and manages energy discharge and charge operations.
84 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A locomotive propulsion system, comprising:
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one or more engine/generator sets, wherein engines of the engine/generator sets operate by burning one or more of ethanol, butanol, alcohol, and blends thereof, and hydrogen; traction motors electrically coupled to the engine/generator sets, wherein the traction motors operate in a motor mode to drive wheels to propel a locomotive, and operate in a generator mode to generate electrical power during locomotive braking periods; a main storage battery coupled to the engine/generator sets and the traction motors, wherein the engine/generator sets operate to provide an electrical charge to the main storage battery, wherein the traction motors operate in the generator mode to charge the main storage battery, and wherein the main storage battery provides electrical power to the traction motors; an electromechanical battery coupled to the electrical/generator sets and the traction motors, wherein the traction motors operate in a charging mode to charge the electromechanical battery, and wherein the battery operates in a boost mode to drive the traction motors; an energy dissipation unit coupled to the traction motors and operable to dissipate excess electrical power; and a predictive power system that uses locomotive location and mode of operation to determine an appropriate locomotive power setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A hybrid propulsion system for a locomotive, the locomotive operating in one of a motoring mode and a braking mode, the system, comprising:
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a prime mover system comprising internal combustion engines coupled to electrical generators; an energy storage system comprising an electrical main storage battery and an electromechanical battery; traction motors coupled to driving wheels; a regenerative braking system; an energy dissipation system; and a control system, wherein the prime mover system provides primary power to operate the traction motors, the main storage battery provides alternate power to operate the traction motors, and the electromechanical battery provides a power boost to operate the traction motors, wherein the regenerative braking system provides power to charge the main storage battery and the electromechanical battery, and wherein the control system determines when the mains storage battery should be charged and discharged, whereby pollutants are minimized and fuel efficiency is maximized. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A hybrid propulsion system, comprising:
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a prime mover system; a driving system; an energy storage system; a regenerative braking system; and a control system usable to control operation of the prime mover, driving, energy storage, and regenerative braking systems, wherein the control system receives inputs of geographic location, speed, and terrain features, and manages energy discharge and charge operations. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method for operating a hybrid propulsion system, comprising:
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using a projected track and a determined location, predicting propulsion system power requirements; using prior power requirements, determining a power history for the projected track; using the power history and the predicted power requirements, determining power adjustments for the hybrid propulsion system; and applying the power adjustments during operation of the hybrid propulsion system.
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Specification