Various control options are applied for selecting the number of operating power sources for a multi-power source vehicle having a number of prime power sources and, optionally including energy storage systems. This system and method are applicable to large vehicles such as locomotives, mining trucks, tugboats and large cranes. Selectable operating modes are provided for different locomotive speed ranges and work loads. The system and method are based on a common DC bus electrical architecture so that prime power sources need not be synchronized. Multiple-engine locomotives are included in which the engine systems may be electrically connected in parallel or in series or in combinations of parallel and series to a DC bus.
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
B60W 10/08 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
B60W 10/24 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of energy storage means
Methods of dynamic braking include two embodiments with braking circuits for vehicles such as, for example, locomotives which are operable down to very low speeds. These circuits can provide a braking force even at zero locomotive speed.
A dynamic braking circuit is disclosed that can be operated with stability over both high and low speed regimes. This circuit has the advantage of using fewer components than previous circuits. In addition, when in braking mode, the armature and field currents tend to oppose each other across the main braking switch hence reducing electromechanical stresses when in high current regime. According to a second invention, a dynamic braking circuit is disclosed to implement a 'soft' extended braking function with the capability of providing a smoother braking action at high braking effort at little extra cost resulting from the replacement of a contactor by a reverser. The main advantages of this preferred embodiment are that the current generated by the armatures during braking can be controlled independently from the excitation of the field windings at low speeds and that it enables simultaneous self supply, regeneration and dynamic braking.
B60L 7/04 - Dynamic electric resistor braking for vehicles propelled by DC motors
B60L 15/20 - Methods, circuits or devices for controlling the propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles, e.g. their traction-motor speed, to achieve a desired performanceAdaptation of control equipment on electrically-propelled vehicles for remote actuation from a stationary place, from alternative parts of the vehicle or from alternative vehicles of the same vehicle train for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
B61H 11/00 - Applications or arrangements of braking or retarding apparatus not otherwise provided forCombinations of apparatus of different kinds or types
A system and method of starting or restarting an engine on a locomotive having at least one of another engine, a fuel cell system and an energy storage system. The method is applicable to large systems such as trucks, ships, cranes and locomotives utilizing diesel engines, gas turbine engines, other types of internal combustion engines, fuel cells or combinations of these that require substantial power and low emissions utilizing multiple power plant combinations. The method is directed, in part, at a flexible control strategy for a multi-engine systems based on a common DC bus electrical architecture so that prime power sources need not be synchronized.
The present invention is directed to a power control architecture for a vehicle, particularly a locomotive, in which a number of energy sources are connected to a common electrical bus and selectively provide energy to the bus based on the relationship between their respective output voltages and the bus voltage.
H02P 1/54 - Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting dynamo-electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting two or more dynamo-electric motors
H02P 5/00 - Arrangements specially adapted for regulating or controlling the speed or torque of two or more electric motors
a processor operable to (a) determine that the selected locomotive has entered, is entering, and/or is about to enter a spatial zone having at least one controlled parameter, the controlled parameter being at least one of a fuel combustion emissions level and a noise level and (b) configure the operation of the selected locomotive to comply with the controlled parameter.
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