1444results about "Electric locomotives" patented technology

A railroad vehicle (1500) for carrying freight is described. The railroad vehicle (1500) comprises power regeneration capability through a traction motor (1530) linked to a driving wheel (1520D), an electrical energy storage system (1550), a controller (1570) that may selectively operate the traction motor (1530) in a motoring mode, a coasting mode, or a dynamic braking mode. In the dynamic braking mode electrical energy from the traction motor (1530) is transmitted to the electrical energy storage system (1550). The controller (1570) is in communication with a communication link (1580) that receives control commands from an external control source (1595), and those control commands indicate the operating mode for a particular period of time.

A self-powered railroad system (1700), in one embodiment, comprises a locomotive (1710), a control source (1715), and a plurality of load units (1720A-K and 1730A-G), some of which are railroad vehicles (1720A-K) comprising the components of railroad vehicle (1500) that provide for selective operation in a motoring mode, a coasting mode, or a dynamic braking mode. The self-powered railroad system may also comprise a control source and at least one railroad vehicle controlled by the control source, such as for coupling, uncoupling, and moving to or from a loading dock.

Load transport and retraining devices and methods for restraining industrial machines or heavy machinery, such as, turbines, to prevent displacement during adverse environmental conditions, such as, pitching and rolling seas, are provided. The devices include support structures adapted to support loads and having wheels positioned and adapted to engage rails. The wheels include a first set of wheels adapted to ride on top of the rails and a second set of wheels adapted to engage the sides of the rails and thereby retain the support structure to the rails. The devices may also include a third set of wheels adapted to also engage the sides of the rails. The devices may include brake and drive assemblies to facilitate handling. Aspects of the disclosure are uniquely adapted to turbines, but other aspects of the disclosure may restrain any industrial machine that may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Prior battery-powered electric locomotives have used multiple diesel engines to charge the batteries and have not been commercially accepted. The present invention provides a yard switcher which combines battery storage with a gas microturbine generator to provide an effective fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly locomotive. locomotive.

A locomotive (10) is operable in two or more distinct configurations, with the change in configuration being response to a configuration input signal (35). A locomotive configuration is represented by the set of end use device control signals (13) that are generated by the locomotive control systems (22) in response to the respective set of operational input values (27). For a given set of operational input values, a first set of end use device control signals is generated when a configuration input has a first value, and a second set of end use device control signals is generated when a configuration input has a second value. The configuration input variable may be responsive to the locomotive location, a wayside device signal, an operator action or the health of the locomotive, for example. Locomotive configuration changes may include peak horsepower rating, number of engine cylinders fueled, number of throttle notch settings, adhesion limits, mission priorities or emission profile, for example.

An electrical energy capture system for use in connection with a hybrid energy off highway vehicle system of a off highway vehicle. The hybrid energy off highway vehicle system includes an off highway vehicle, a primary power source, and an off highway vehicle traction motor propelling the off highway vehicle in response to the primary electric power. The off highway vehicle traction motor has a dynamic braking mode of operation generating electrical energy. The electrical energy capture system includes an energy management processor carried on the off highway vehicle. The capture system also includes an off highway vehicle electric generator connected to and driven by the primary power source for selectively supplying primary electric power, wherein the generator is responsive to said processor. An electrical energy storage device is carried on a off highway vehicle and is in electrical communication with the off highway vehicle traction motor. The storage device is responsive to the processor, selectively stores electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode, and selectively provides secondary electric power from said stored electricity electrical energy to the off highway vehicle traction motor. The off highway vehicle traction motor is responsive to the secondary electric power. The processor provides a first control signal to the electrical energy storage device to control the selective storing of the electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode, and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the off highway vehicle traction motor. The processor also provides a second control signal to the generator for controlling the selective supplying of primary electric power to the off highway vehicle traction motor.

A hybrid locomotive includes at least one traction motor coupled to at least one of a plurality of axles and configured to drive at least one axle. A power converter is coupled to a main engine and to at least one traction motor and configured to supply electrical energy to the at least one traction motor and a secondary energy storage unit. A fuel storage unit is coupled to the main engine and configured to supply a gaseous fuel to the main engine. The main engine is adapted to burn gaseous fuel for reduced emissions, while maintaining excellent power output characteristics, that may be supplemented by secondary power sources.

Adjustable depth merchandising crossbar systems and methods dispense retail products, the crossbar systems and methods having a fixed portion comprising a first outer mounting assembly, a second outer mounting assembly movably connected to the first outer mounting assembly, and upright mounting hooks provided at rear sides of the first outer mounting assembly and the second outer mounting assembly, wherein the upright mounting hooks are configured to be mountable to retail aisle uprights and a sliding portion comprising a first inner sliding assembly and a second inner sliding assembly movably connected to the first inner sliding assembly. The crossbar systems and methods also have an expandable attachment bar connected to the first and second inner sliding assemblies of the sliding portion of the crossbar, wherein the expandable attachment bar is configured to receive at least one retail product merchandising pusher system for dispensing retail products and a plurality of sliding assemblies connected the fixed portion to the sliding portion of the crossbar. The sliding portion of the crossbar is movable to a closed position or to an at least partially extended position via the plurality of sliding assemblies.

A method of using one or more electric locomotive and energy storage car combinations to assist a train consist up an uphill climb, the one or more electric locomotive and energy storage car combinations each having one or more diesel electric locomotives and one or more separate energy storage cars, including adding the one or more electric locomotive and energy storage car combinations to the train consist prior to an uphill climb; using the one or more electric locomotive and energy storage car combinations to assist the train consist up the uphill climb; and removing the one or more electric locomotive and energy storage car combinations from the train consist after the uphill climb. The one or more electric locomotive and energy storage car combinations are added to a train consist traveling downhill to assist with the downhill slowing through dynamic braking regeneration that is used to recharge the energy storage of the one or more separate energy storage cars.

A configurable diesel powered system is provided for controlling engine emissions of a diesel-fueled power generating unit. The diesel-fueled power generating unit includes an engine operating on at least one fuel type. The system includes a plurality of operational input devices coupled with a processor to generate operational input signals to the processor. A plurality of end use devices include fuel tanks for each respective fuel type and are controlled by the processor to control the engine emissions. A configuration input device in communication with the processor generates a respective configuration signal for each particular location along the predetermined course comprising a mission. The processor is responsive to the operational input devices and configuration signals to generate a set of control signals to the fuel tanks to limit the total engine emissions of all fuel types to a respective stored engine emission profile for each configuration signal for each particular location along the predetermined course comprising the mission.

A system and method for retrofitting a propulsion circuit of an existing Off Highway Vehicle to enable the propulsion circuit to operate as a hybrid energy Off Highway Vehicle propulsion circuit. The hybrid propulsion circuit includes a primary power source, and a traction motor for propelling an Off Highway Vehicle in response to the primary electric power. The traction motor has a motoring mode of operation and a power dissipation mode of operation. The traction motor generates dynamic braking electrical power in the power dissipation mode of operation. An electrical energy storage system includes a chopper circuit coupled to an energy storage device. The storage device is responsive to the chopper circuit to selectively store electrical energy generated in the power dissipation mode. The storage system selectively provides secondary electric power from the storage device to traction motor to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle during the motoring mode.

Structure for mounting batteries in a guideway electric vehicle driven by a battery-driven motor is provided, with which balancing in weight of the vehicle is properly achieved, batteries can be cooled enough, battery rooms are completely sealed from the passenger room, and running stability of the vehicle is ensured.The battery mounting structure is composed such that battery rooms (35) for mounting battery modules (33) comprised of a plurality of batteries are formed on a floor (9) of the vehicle in both sides adjacent side walls (11) of the vehicle respectively, each of the battery rooms (35) being partitioned from the passenger cabin of the vehicle hermetically by a partition plate (37); suction openings (41) for introducing outside air into the battery room (35) are provided in the floor (9) or side wall (11) of the vehicle in each battery room (35), and exhaust openings (41) for releasing air to the outside of the vehicle are provided in the side wall (11) thereof in each battery room (35); whereby the battery module (33) in each battery room (35) can be cooled by outside air.

A system and method for managing electrical power generated by an engine for use in connection with operating a hybrid energy off highway vehicle load control system. A load control circuit determines a current operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle, and determines a corresponding target operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle The load control system determines a difference between the current operating condition and a target operating condition to identify transients. The load control system delivers power from the power source to a energy storage for an initial period after a transient condition is identified and then delivers power from the power source to source to the traction motors to propel the Off Highway Vehicle. The load control system also retrieves to power from the energy storage to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle.

A method and apparatus for swapping functionality of a lead unit and an end-of-train remote unit on a distributed power railroad train. The communications system comprises a swap function that executes through a plurality of process steps to swap the functionality of the lead unit and the end-of-train remote unit. The train operating conditions must first be determined to ensure that the swap function can be executed. The communications system is placed in an idle mode and brakes and safety locks applied to ensure against train movement. Each remote locomotive in the train is commanded to a transition stage and reconfigured to receive commands and messages from the new lead unit. Once the train operator has relocated from the old lead unit to the new lead unit, the old lead unit transitions to remote status and the new lead unit commands an end to the transition period. The train brakes are released and the communications system placed in a normal operational mode, at which time motive power can be supplied for train movement.

Provided is a blade maintenance device for a wind turbine. The blade maintenance device for the wind turbine includes: a body that travels along a leading edge of a blade; support units that extend from the body to both sides of the blade and support the sides of the blade; and a maintenance unit installed at at least one of the body and the support units so as to perform maintenance of an outer side of the blade.

Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage means. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly. Many locomotive or train configurations involving battery-powered or battery-toting locomotive(s) may be implemented. In one embodiment, a battery-toting locomotive is directly coupled with and positioned between two diesel-electric locomotives, wherein the batteries recover energy from regenerative braking and / or supply power to drive traction motors.

A hydraulic energy storage system (comprising a hydraulic pump / motor, a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, a low pressure hydraulic accumulator / reservoir, and interconnecting hydraulic lines) is incorporated into a EV, HEV, or PHEV to provide hydraulic regenerative braking and propulsive assistance for the vehicle. Implementation of the low cost and long-lasting hydraulic energy storage system in the vehicle, together with the electric energy storage system (comprising a motor / generator and battery pack) of the vehicle, allows significantly reduced demands and higher operating efficiencies for the battery pack, thereby facilitating a more cost-effective, efficient and / or durable overall energy storage system for the vehicle.

The invention discloses a perpendicular rope climbing patrolling robot in ultra-deep vertical shaft steel-rope guide. The perpendicular rope climbing patrolling robot comprises an explosion-proof shell, a driving mechanism, a wheel mechanism, a clamping mechanism, a carrying mechanism and an electric control device. The explosion-proof shell comprises an upper driving shell body, a lower driving shell body, a driver shell body, an electric control device shell body and a carrying mechanism shell body. The driving mechanism comprises an upper driving part, a lower driving part and a motor driver. The wheel mechanism comprises an upper driving wheel part, an upper left side driven wheel part, an upper right side driven wheel part, a lower driving wheel part, a lower left side driven wheel part and a lower right side driven wheel part. The clamping mechanism comprises a left side clamping part and a right side clamping part. The carrying mechanism comprises a movable trolley, an intrinsic safety camera and a cloud deck. The rope climbing patrolling robot can meet the explosion-proof requirement of a coal mine, can climb on the ultra-deep vertical shaft steel-rope guide and can monitor the strain of the shaft wall and the derrick structure situation.

A method of bridging a gap in an external electrical power supply line without stalling using an electrically powered rail propulsion vehicle includes using an electrically powered rail propulsion vehicle to propel a consist, the electrically powered rail propulsion vehicle configured to run as an emission-free pure electric unit from the external electrical power supply line; determining if a gap in the external electrical power supply line condition occurs; and supplying electric power from one or more ultracapacitor packs to run the electrically powered rail propulsion vehicle if a gap condition is determined to occur.

An energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus improved in availability at low temperatures, wherein when a secondary battery is lower in temperature than a predetermined value, an output voltage output to a feeder side is made equal to or higher than a no-load output voltage of a substation connected in parallel. Power is supplied to a power running rolling stock preferentially from the secondary battery. The heating value of the secondary battery is increased and the battery temperature is raised by this discharging, whereby internal resistance of the secondary battery is lowered, and the charging and discharging loss is suppressed, and the efficiency and availability of the energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus as a whole are improved.

A hybrid energy railway vehicle system having a traction motor with a dynamic braking mode of operation for dynamically braking the traction motor and for generating dynamic braking electrical energy and an electrical energy storage system that is in electrical communication with the traction motor and that stores dynamic braking electrical energy generated by the traction motor. The system also has a hybrid energy railway vehicle with a plurality of wheels wherein the traction motor has a motoring mode of operation for driving one of the wheels in response to electrical input energy. A converter selectively provides stored electrical energy from the energy storage system to the traction motor as electrical input energy for driving one or more of wheels. The hybrid energy railway vehicle is optionally equipped computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for controlling the operation of the hybrid energy railway vehicle and a processor configured to control the operation of the railway vehicle as a function of at least one of a plurality of operating modes.

The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist.

Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage means. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly. Many locomotive or train configurations involving battery-powered or battery-toting locomotive(s) may be implemented. In one embodiment, a battery-toting locomotive is directly coupled with and positioned between two diesel-electric locomotives, wherein the batteries recover energy from regenerative braking and / or supply power to drive traction motors.

The Personal Mass Transit (PMT) system utilizes a removable vehicle conveyance apparatus and method for conveying transit vehicle car-pods and their contents from one transit station to another autonomously. Vehicle conveyance apparatus are stored off-line in storage silos and other areas awaiting on-demand transit system instruction to pickup vehicles at loading points and convey them to different stations as requested by occupants or pre-programmed instructions. The PMT system further utilizes a number of transmitter-receivers nodes and control computers to manage all aspects of operation of the transportation system. Any number of different types of PMT vehicles could ride the transit system when equipped with the correct coupling points and remain under the maximum combined curb weight of any particular area or type of transit track in order to be transported on the PMT system.

A hanging merchandising product divider and pusher system and method dispense retail products. The system and method have a first divider having a length defined between a front end and a rear end and a height defined between a top end and a bottom end, at least one second divider having a length defined between a front end and a rear end and a height defined between a top end and a bottom end, and at least one connection plate connecting at least a portion of bottom end of the first divider to at least a portion of the bottom end of the second divider. The system and method also have at least one rear support connector connecting at least a portion of the rear end of the first divider to at least a portion of the rear end of the second divider and a first pocket defined by the first and second dividers, the connection plate, the rear support connector and the front ends of the first and second dividers, wherein the first pocket is sized or configured to receive one or more first retail products. Further, the system and method have a pusher paddle movably connected to the connection plate between the first and second dividers, wherein the pusher paddle is urged towards a front-side of the hanging system such that the pusher paddle moves the one or more products towards the front-side of the hanging system when the one or more first retail products are positioned within the first pocket of the hanging system, and rear mounting hangers located at a back-side of the hanging system.

A cableway with suspended tram and remote bogie is disclosed. This includes a self-contained motor, traction and support sheaves with provision for adjusting the height of the tram below said cable for limiting vertical acceleration caused by travel along the cantenary curve of the cableway.

A configurable diesel powered system is provided for controlling engine emissions of a diesel-fueled power generating unit. The diesel-fueled power generating unit includes an engine operating on at least one fuel type. The system includes a plurality of operational input devices coupled with a processor to generate operational input signals to the processor. A plurality of end use devices include fuel tanks for each respective fuel type and are controlled by the processor to control the engine emissions. A configuration input device in communication with the processor generates a respective configuration signal for each particular location along the predetermined course comprising a mission. The processor is responsive to the operational input devices and configuration signals to generate a set of control signals to the fuel tanks to limit the total engine emissions of all fuel types to a respective stored engine emission profile for each configuration signal for each particular location along the predetermined course comprising the mission.

An electrical energy capture system, as may be carried on a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered traction vehicle, is provided. The system may be used for storing electrical power generated on the vehicle and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle. The system includes circuitry connected to a plurality of electrical energy storage devices connected in parallel circuit to one another. The circuitry may be configured to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to a DC bus. The circuitry is further configured to block a flow of electrical current from any one of the storage devices to any of the other storage devices, thereby avoiding flow of currents that could otherwise circulate among the electrical energy storage devices due to electrical imbalances that may occur in one or more of the electrical energy storage devices.

A method of controlling a neutral section operation of a train (14) including a lead locomotive (16) and at least one remote locomotive (12) in communication with the lead locomotive. The locomotives are electrically powered from respective electrical connections to a catenary (22) having at least one neutral section (26). The method includes sensing when a lead locomotive is proximate the neutral section of the catenary. The lead locomotive then commands the remote locomotive to perform a neutral section operation when the lead locomotive has traveled a distance equal to a distance (20) between the lead locomotive and the remote locomotive. The lead locomotive determines when to issue a neutral section command based on a speed of the lead locomotive and an elapsed time from when the lead locomotive senses its location proximate the neutral section.

A computerized system for use in connection with a hybrid energy off highway vehicle system of a off highway vehicle. The hybrid energy off highway vehicle system includes an off highway vehicle, a primary power source, and an off highway vehicle traction motor propelling the off highway vehicle in response to the primary electric power, and an energy capture system for storing and / or transferring electrical power. An energy management processor carried on the off highway vehicle controls transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the off highway vehicle.