System and method for supplying auxiliary power to a large diesel engine

• US 6,945,207 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CSXT Intellectual Properties Corporation
• Original Assignee: CSX Transportation Incorporated (CSX Corporation)
• Inventors: Gotmalm, Christer, Biess, Lawrence J
• Primary Examiner(s): Argenbright, Tony M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Hyder
• Application Number:
  US10/198,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20020174845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 123/142.5 R, 123/142.5 E, 123/198.D, 123/196.AB, 123/179.19, 123/DIG.8, 123/198.DC
• US Class Current: 123/142.50R
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/021 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 25/04 by cutting-out engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 2007/0097 for large diesel engines

Abstract

A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

Claims

1. An auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine having a battery, the auxiliary power system comprising:

(A) a secondary engine, and

(B) a controller which automatically shuts down the primary engine in response to a first predetermined condition of the primary engine, the controller also enabling automatic operation of such secondary engine in response to a second predetermined condition of the primary engine, the second predetermined condition being different then the first predetermined condition.

2. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, in which such second predetermined condition is a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

3. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power producing means driven by such secondary engine.

4. The auxiliary power system of claim 3, in which such electrical power producing means comprises a 240 vac, 60 Hz, single-phase electrical generator.

5. The auxiliary power system of claim 4, in which such electrical generator produces at least 17 kva of power.

6. The auxiliary power system of claim 4, further comprising battery charging means.

7. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising

(A) primary engine coolant pumping means, and

(B) heat exchanging means.

8. The auxiliary power system of claim 7, further comprising engine coolant heating means.

9. The auxiliary power system of claim 8, in which such engine coolant heating means comprises electric heaters.

10. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising primary engine lube-oil pumping means.

11. The auxiliary power system of claim 10, further comprising lube-oil heating means.

12. The auxiliary power system of claim 11, in which such lube-oil heating means comprises electric heaters.

13. The auxiliary power system of claim 11, further comprising primary lube-oil temperature sensing means, and in which such controller maintains primary engine lube-oil temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

14. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the controller shuts down such primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of such primary engine.

15. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined condition is a period of idling time of the primary engine.

16. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined condition is primary engine coolant temperature.

17. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined condition is primary engine lube-oil temperature.

18. The auxiliary power system of claim 1 further including, coolant temperature sensing means, and in which such controller maintains primary engine coolant temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

19. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined condition is an idle time of the primary engine, and the second predetermined condition is a temperature of an element within the primary engine.

20. A method of supplying auxiliary power to a primary engine comprising:

(A) providing a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator;

(B) monitoring the operating condition of such primary engine while the primary engine is running;

(C) automatically shutting down the primary engine based on the monitoring following a predetermined time period of idling of the primary engine; and

(D) automatically starting such secondary engine in response to a predetermined condition of such primary engine.

21. A method of claim 20, further comprising:

providing heating means for such primary engine coolant, and

providing heating means for such primary engine lube-oil.

22. A method of supplying auxiliary power to a primary engine comprising:

(A) providing a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator;

(B) monitoring an operating condition of such primary engine;

(C) starting such secondary engine in response to a predetermined condition of such primary engine, the predetermined condition being a different condition then the monitored operating condition; and

(D) heating primary engine coolant with electric heaters.

23. A method of supplying auxiliary power to a primary engine comprising:

(A) providing a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator;

(B) monitoring an operating condition of such primary engine;

(C) starting such secondary engine in response to a predetermined condition of such primary engine, the predetermined condition being a different condition then the monitored operating condition; and

(D) heating engine lube-oil with electric heaters.

24. An auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine having a battery, comprising:

(A) a secondary engine, and

(B) an engine controller which automatically shuts down the primary engine, the engine controller automatically starting such secondary engine in response to a predetermined condition of the primary engine,

wherein the engine controller shuts down such primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of such primary engine.

25. The auxiliary power system of claim 24, wherein said predetermined condition is a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

26. The auxiliary power system of claim 24, further comprising an electrical power generator driven by such secondary engine.

27. The auxiliary power system of claim 26, in which such electric power generator comprises a 240 vac, 60 Hz, single-phase electrical generator.

28. The auxiliary power system of claim 27, in which such electrical generator produces at least 17 kva of power.

29. The auxiliary power system of claim 27, further comprising a battery charger.

30. The auxiliary power system of claim 29, in which such engine controller

(i) isolates the battery of the primary engine from all dc loads upon operation of such secondary engine, and

(ii) continuously charges the battery during operation of such secondary engine.

31. The auxiliary power system of claim 24, further comprising:

(A) a primary engine coolant pump, and

(B) a heat exchanger.

32. The auxiliary power system of claim 31, further comprising an engine coolant heater.

33. The auxiliary power system of claim 32, further including, coolant temperature sensor, and in which such engine controller maintains primary engine coolant temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

34. The auxiliary power system of claim 32, in which such engine coolant heater comprises electric heaters.

35. The auxiliary power system of claim 24, further comprising a primary engine lube-oil pump.

36. The auxiliary power system of claim 35, further comprising, a lube-oil heater.

37. The auxiliary power system of claim 36, further including, primary lube-oil temperature sensor, and in which such engine controller maintains primary engine lube-oil temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

38. The auxiliary power system of claim 36, in which such lube-oil heater comprises electric heaters.

39. The auxiliary power system of claim 24, further comprising a remotely operable primary engine coolant drain valve.

40. The auxiliary power system of claim 38, in which such engine controller causes such remotely operable drain valve to open and drain the primary engine coolant after a predetermined period of time in response to a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating and such secondary engine fails to start.

41. The auxiliary power system of claim 24, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine coolant temperature.

42. The auxiliary power system of claim 24, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine lube-oil temperature.

43. An auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine having a battery, comprising:

(A) a secondary engine, and

(B) an engine controller having a timer,

wherein such engine controller automatically shuts down the primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of said primary engine, said engine controller enabling automatic operation of such secondary engine based on a predetermined condition of the primary engine.

44. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, in which said predetermined condition is a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

45. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, further comprising an electrical power generator driven by such secondary engine.

46. The auxiliary power system of claim 45, in which such electrical power generator comprises a 240 vac, 60 Hz, single-phase electrical generator.

47. The auxiliary power system of claim 46, further comprising a battery charger.

48. The auxiliary power system of claim 47, in which such engine controller

(i) isolates the battery of the primary engine from all dc loads upon operation of such secondary engine, and

(ii) continuously charges the battery during operation of such secondary engine.

49. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, further comprising

(A) a primary engine coolant pump, and

(B) a heat exchanger.

50. The auxiliary power system of claim 49, further comprising an engine coolant heater.

51. The auxiliary power system of claim 50, further including, a coolant temperature sensor, and in which such engine controller maintains primary engine coolant temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

52. The auxiliary power system of claim 50, in which such engine coolant heater comprises electric heaters.

53. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, further comprising a primary engine lube-oil pump.

54. The auxiliary power system of claim 53, further comprising, a lube-oil heater.

55. The auxiliary power system of claim 54, further including, a primary lube-oil temperature sensor, and in which such engine controller maintains primary engine lube-oil temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

56. The auxiliary power system of claim 54, in which such lube-oil heater comprises electric heaters.

57. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, further comprising a remotely operable primary engine coolant drain valve.

58. The auxiliary power system of claim 57, in which such control means causes such remotely operable drain valve to open and drain the primary engine coolant after a predetermined period of time in response to a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating and such secondary engine fails to start.

59. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, wherein the engine controller shuts down such primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of such primary engine.

60. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, wherein the predetermined condition is a period of idling time of the primary engine.

61. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine coolant temperature.

62. The auxiliary power system of claim 43, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine lube-oil temperature.

63. An auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine, comprising:

(A) a secondary engine, and

(B) an engine controller that automatically shuts down the primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of said primary engine the engine controller enabling automatic operation of the secondary engine based on a predetermined condition of the primary engine.

64. The auxiliary power system of claim 63, wherein the engine controller shuts down such primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of such primary engine.

65. The auxiliary power system of claim 63, wherein the predetermined condition is a period of idling time of the primary engine.

66. The auxiliary power system of claim 63, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine coolant temperature.

67. The auxiliary power system of claim 63, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine lube-oil temperature.

68. The auxiliary power system of claim 63, in which the predetermined condition is a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

69. A method of operating an engine system for a locomotive comprising:

operating a primary engine on the locomotive;

automatically shutting down the primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of said primary engine; and

automatically operating a secondary engine on the locomotive while the primary engine is shut down based on a predetermined condition of the primary engine.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising automatically shutting down the primary engine in response to the primary engine idling for a predetermined period of time.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the predetermined condition is a period of idling time of the primary engine.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine coolant temperature.

73. The method of claim 69, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine lube-oil temperature.

74. The method of claim 69, in which the predetermined condition is a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

75. A method of operating an engine system for a locomotive comprising:

operating a primary engine on the locomotive;

automatically shutting down the primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of said primary engine; and

automatically operating a secondary engine on the locomotive while the primary engine is shut down based on a detected operating condition of the primary engine.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the detected operating condition is a temperature of a component of said primary engine.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine coolant temperature.

78. The method of claim 75, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine lube-oil temperature.

79. The method of claim 75, in which the predetermined condition is a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

80. A method of operating an engine system comprising:

operating a primary engine;

automatically shutting down the primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of the primary engine; and

automatically starting a secondary engine when the primary engine is shut down,

wherein such secondary engine is started in response to a predetermined condition of the primary engine.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the predetermined condition is idling of said primary engine for a predetermined period of time.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine coolant temperature.

83. The method of claim 80, wherein the predetermined condition is primary engine lube-oil temperature.

84. The method of claim 80, in which the predetermined condition is a predetermined ambient temperature if such primary engine is not operating.

85. A method of supplying auxiliary power to a primary engine comprising:

(A) providing a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator;

(B) automatically shutting down the primary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of said primary engine; and

(C) automatically starting such secondary engine in response to non-operation of such primary engine combined with a predetermined ambient temperature.

86. A locomotive auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine, the locomotive auxiliary power system comprising:

a secondary engine; and

an automatic control system that automatically shuts down the primary engine in response to a first detected operating condition of the primary engine and automatically starts the secondary engine in response to a second detected operating condition of the primary engine, the second detected operating condition being different then the first detected operating condition.

87. The auxiliary power system of claim 86, further including, coolant temperature sensing means, and in which such automatic control system maintains primary engine coolant temperature within a predetermined temperature rag.

88. The auxiliary power system of claim 86, further comprising:

primary lube-oil temperature sensing means, and in which such automatic control system maintains primary engine lube-oil temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

89. A locomotive auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine, the locomotive auxiliary power system comprising:

a secondary engine; and

control logic that automatically shuts down the primary engine in response to a first detected operating condition of the primary engine and automatically starts the secondary engine in response to a second detected operating condition of the primary engine, the second detected operating condition being different then the first detected operating condition.

90. An auxiliary power system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine having a battery, the auxiliary power system comprising:

(A) a secondary engine, and

(B) a controller which shuts down such primary engine and starts such secondary engine following a predetermined time period of idling of such primary engine automatically without operator intervention with the auxiliary power system.

91. A method of operating a locomotive, the method comprising:

operating a primary engine;

automatically shutting down the primary engine when the primary engine has been idling for a period of time; and

automatically starting a secondary engine after said primary engine has been shut down and in response to a condition of said primary engine.