Method for eliminating fuel use during dynamic braking

• US 7,034,480 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2004
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith Kuttannair, Valentine, Peter Loring
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCLOUD, RENATA D
• Application Number:
  US10/933,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20050029814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 318/362, 318/375, 318/370, 318/371, 318/382, 318/139
• US Class Current: 318/362
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 3/14 by regenerative braking

Abstract

A method for reducing engine fuel consumption of an electro-motive vehicle during braking, the method including steps for providing an engine for the vehicle, generating primary electric power at a primary electric power generator connected to the engine, generating primary electric power at a secondary electric power generator connected to the engine, operating a plurality of electric traction motors each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels to propel the vehicle during motoring operations and to generate electricity upon braking operations of the vehicle, electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator, applying braking, closing the braking switch, and transmitting power generated by the traction motors to the primary electric power generator to operate as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power the auxiliary equipment without fueling the engine.

Claims

1. A method for reducing engine fuel consumption of an electro-motive vehicle during braking, the method comprising:

a. providing an engine for the vehicle;

b. generating primary electric power at a primary electric power generator connected to the engine;

c. generating primary electric power at a secondary electric power generator, connected to the engine;

d. operating a plurality of electric traction motors each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels to propel the vehicle during motoring operations and to generate electricity upon braking operations of the vehicle;

e. electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator;

f. applying braking;

g. closing the braking switch during braking;

h. transmitting power generated by the traction motors a dynamic braking inverter to the primary electric power generator to operate as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power auxiliary equipment without fueling the engine during braking.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises providing an engine controller for controlling the delivery of fuel to the engine.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprises providing a braking controller for controlling the operation of the braking switch.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprises providing an engine compression braking system.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprises varying horsepower from said compression braking system by changing the engine'"'"'s speed independently of speed of wheels of the vehicle.

6. A fuel reduction method for reducing fuel used by an electro-motive vehicle, that has an engine, a primary electric power generator, and a secondary electric power generator, when stopping the vehicle with a dynamic braking system that has electric traction motors, power inverters and a braking inverter, the method comprising:

a. electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator;

b. operating a controller to control the braking switch and an amount of fuel provided to the engine;

c. applying braking;

d. closing the braking switch during braking;

e. through the braking inverter electrically connected to at least one of the traction motors, receiving electrical power from the power inverters generated by the traction motors during braking;

f. selectively connecting the braking inverter electrically with the primary electric power generator during braking;

g. transmitting power generated by the traction motors to the primary electric power generator to act as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power auxiliary equipment on the vehicle during braking; and

h. reducing an amount of fuel provided to the engine during braking.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprises providing an engine controller that is activated by the software for controlling the delivery of fuel to the engine.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprises controlling the operation of the braking switch with a braking controller.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprises operating the controller to control the braking switch and the supply of fuel to the engine with a software program.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of reducing an amount of fuel further comprises reducing an amount of fuel until no fuel is provided to the engine.

11. A method for reducing fuel consumption during dynamic braking of an electro-motive vehicle, the method comprising:

a. electrically connecting a dynamic braking switch between a dynamic braking inverter and a primary alternator of the vehicle;

b. applying dynamic braking;

c. closing the dynamic braking switch during dynamic braking;

d. transferring power generated by traction motors to dynamic braking inverters during dynamic braking;

e. supplying power from the power inverters to the primary alternator to power the engine and a secondary alternator during dynamic braking;

f. generating secondary electrical power with the secondary alternator during dynamic braking; and

g. limiting fuel provided to an engine while the dynamic braking switch is closed.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of electrically connecting a dynamic braking switch between a dynamic braking inverter and a primary alternator further comprises electrically connecting the dynamic braking inverter with at least one traction motor to transmit power to the traction motor during motoring.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprises providing a motoring switch electrically connected between the dynamic braking inverter and the traction motor.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprises providing a controller to activate the dynamic braking switch during dynamic braking.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprises providing a controller to regulate limiting fuel provided to the engine during dynamic braking.