Power system using a multi-functional power interface unit
First Claim
1. A power system including an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a main alternator and an auxiliary alternator, the main alternator coupled to power one or more traction motors and the auxiliary alternator coupled to power predetermined electrical equipment, the system comprising:
- a main power bus generally powered by the main alternator;
an auxiliary power bus generally powered by the auxiliary alternator; and
a power interface unit electrically coupled to the main power bus to capture and transfer electrical energy into the auxiliary power bus, at least some of the electrical energy being generated during a predetermined mode of operation of the system selected from the group consisting of a regenerative braking mode of operation and a self-load mode of operation, the captured and transferred electrical energy being used to directly power, at least in part, the predetermined electrical equipment coupled to the auxiliary power bus, thus enabling less dissipation of heat in one or more resistor grids operatively coupled during regenerative braking or self-load mode of operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power system for a locomotive generally having an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a main alternator and an auxiliary alternator is provided. The main alternator is coupled to power one or more traction motors and the auxiliary alternator is coupled to power predetermined electrical equipment. The system includes a main power bus generally powered by the main alternator and an auxiliary power bus generally powered by the auxiliary alternator. A power interface unit is electrically coupled to the main power bus to capture and transfer electrical energy into the auxiliary power bus. The electrical energy may be generated during a predetermined mode of operation of the locomotive, such as during dynamic braking or self-load.
123 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A power system including an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a main alternator and an auxiliary alternator, the main alternator coupled to power one or more traction motors and the auxiliary alternator coupled to power predetermined electrical equipment, the system comprising:
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a main power bus generally powered by the main alternator;
an auxiliary power bus generally powered by the auxiliary alternator; and
a power interface unit electrically coupled to the main power bus to capture and transfer electrical energy into the auxiliary power bus, at least some of the electrical energy being generated during a predetermined mode of operation of the system selected from the group consisting of a regenerative braking mode of operation and a self-load mode of operation, the captured and transferred electrical energy being used to directly power, at least in part, the predetermined electrical equipment coupled to the auxiliary power bus, thus enabling less dissipation of heat in one or more resistor grids operatively coupled during regenerative braking or self-load mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a power system including an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a main alternator and an auxiliary alternator, the main alternator coupled to power through a main power bus one or more traction motors and the auxiliary alternator coupled to power through an auxiliary power bus predetermined electrical equipment, a power interface unit electrically coupled to the main power bus to capture and transfer electrical energy into the auxiliary power bus, at least some of the electrical energy being generated during a predetermined mode of operation of the system, the power interface unit comprising;
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a voltage converter module selectively coupled to impart a desired voltage conversion to voltage signals propagating between the main power bus and the auxiliary power bus to transfer the captured electrical energy, wherein the voltage converter module comprises a plurality of voltage conversion legs each respectively contributing a respective voltage into the auxiliary power bus, each of the conversion legs being coupled to a respective interface inductor through a respective first terminal of the inductor, each interface inductor having a respective second terminal coupled to one another at a common node;
at least one inverter being coupled to the voltage converter module through the common node to drive the predetermined equipment on the auxiliary power bus at a selectable variable frequency independently of the RPM of the engine using the power captured during the predetermined mode of system operation; and
an inverter module selectively coupled to drive the main alternator during an engine-cranking mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A power system including an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a main alternator and an auxiliary alternator, the main alternator coupled to power one or more traction motors and the auxiliary alternator coupled to power predetermined electrical equipment, the system comprising:
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a main power bus generally powered by the main alternator;
an auxiliary power bus generally powered by the auxiliary alternator;
a power interface unit electrically coupled to the main power bus to capture and transfer electrical energy into the auxiliary power bus, at least some of the electrical energy being generated during a predetermined mode of operation of the system, wherein the power interface unit has a voltage converter module selectively coupled to impart a desired voltage conversion to voltage signals propagating between the main power bus and the auxiliary power bus to transfer the captured electrical energy to at least one of the following;
the equipment on the auxiliary bus and an energy storage device; and
at least one inverter coupled to the voltage converter module through a common node to drive the predetermined equipment using the power captured during the predetermined mode of system operation and provide selectably variable speed control to said equipment while decoupling undesired speed variation due to changes in rotational speed of the engine.
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Specification