Abstract: A useful system for our transportation needs must be in concert with the ecological and economical needs of the future. The vehicle concept considers all the constrains imposed by battery materials, oil and electric energy availability and production capacity, electric grid power capability and will make transportation cheaper faster and more robust than the current system. The multi-feature vehicle is modular in design separating and placing optimally the functional modules so that many variations are easily possible allowing the range, carrying capacity and multi-modal transportation to be optimized. The multi modal transportation feature is a surrogate for the lack of battery capacity to cover the individual needs for transportation avoiding the need for large capital cost for large batteries and their maintenance. The vehicle may serve as backup power source during blackouts and uses own modular compactable solar energy harvesting devices.

Abstract: An amusement device comprises a passenger carrier and a propelling system for propelling the passenger carrier. The propelling system comprising an electric motor for propelling the passenger carrier, and a power supply to power the electric motor. The power supply comprises an electrical storage element to store electrical energy. The control unit is arranged to control the power supply such as to operate the power supply to charge the electrical storage element from a power source; and to operate the power supply to power the electric motor from the electrical energy stored in the electrical storage element, to thereby propel the passenger carrier.

Abstract: A head end power system carried on a locomotive for a passenger train set that captures and stores excess electrical energy generated during dynamic braking of the locomotive. This excess electrical energy is converted to head end power for use on attached passenger railcars. Because passenger trains activate dynamic braking frequently, sufficient dynamic braking energy can be captured to supply a substantially continuous demand for head end power. In the event that the amount of captured energy is insufficient to meet demand, the head end power system may supplement the captured energy with energy generated by the primary power source on the locomotive.

Abstract: An electric railway system includes an electric car and an electric-power supply device that supplies electric power to the electric car. The electric-power supply device includes a power source, and an overhead conductor portion connected to the power source. The electric car includes: a power collector installed on a roof of the electric car, having a contact conductor portion contactable to the overhead conductor portion, and being capable of raising and lowering the contact conductor portion based on an instruction from outside; a switching unit connected to the power collector, opening and closing a main circuit; an electric-power conversion device connected to the switching unit, performing an electric power conversion; an electric-power storage device connected to the electric-power conversion device; an electric motor driven by the electric-power conversion device, driving the electric car; and a control unit controlling at least the switching unit.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit for a rail vehicle has a step-up converter, which is disposed at the input of the motor drive circuit, and which converts a mains DC voltage, at the input of the motor drive circuit into an intermediate circuit DC voltage. A pulse rectifier, which is downstream from the step-up converter, can be connected at the output to a drive motor of the rail vehicle and it is capable of converting the intermediate circuit DC voltage of the step-up converter into a motor drive voltage for driving the drive motor. A control unit activates the step-up converter in operation such that the converter generates the predetermined rated intermediate circuit DC voltage for a mains DC voltage below a predetermined rated intermediate circuit DC voltage as the intermediate circuit DC voltage.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus improved in availability at low temperatures, wherein when a electric energy storage apparatus 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 electric energy storage apparatus. The heating value of the secondary battery is increased and the battery temperature is raised by this discharging, whereby internal resistance of the electric energy storage apparatus 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems for prolonging battery life, such as maintaining battery cell temperatures in battery packs within specified limits, providing vibration and shock resistance, and/or electrically isolating groups of batteries from nearby conductive surfaces.

Abstract: A system for propelling a vehicle in a desired direction using a linear induction motor situated proximate to, but off-board the vehicle. The linear induction motor has a suspension system adapted to suspend the motor a desired distance from a reaction rail, separate from any suspension system for the vehicle. The linear induction motor moves the vehicle using a generally rigid member extending between the linear induction motor and the vehicle. Application of a current to the stator of the motor communicates a desired force to the linear induction motor, the general rigid member, and the vehicle.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: There is provided a differential propulsion mechanism including two or more concentric and mutually counter-rotating first wheels (4, 6, 8, 10), mutually reacting and balancing the torque of a motor drive (20) interacting with the wheels. The motor drive has a stator attached to one of the first wheels to power a first wheel over a first track (12, 14, 16, 18), a rotor coupled to a mechanical link, at least indirectly connecting the rotor with a second of the two or more first wheels to power the second wheel over a second track, and a concentric connecting device affixed for coupling a payload thereto or for coupling the mechanism itself to another device.

Abstract: A method and system of using one or more railcar linear electric generators to decelerate a vehicle such as a train consist. In one embodiment, the one of more electric generators are configured to capture deceleration energy and supply the energy to one or more power grid connections. The one of more railcar electric generators may also operate as motors to assist propelling a train consist. Optional energy storage may also be included.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and regulating the power and the energy consumed by a transport system including electrically propelled vehicles, said transport system including a power supply system including one or more power supply substations connected to an external electrical power supply network, said power supply substation or substations supplying energy to traction substations supplying power to power supply line sections having vehicle-mounted current pick-up means connected thereto, each vehicle carrying a power converter which is supplied with power by said current pick-up means and which monitors the power supplied to a traction motor of said vehicle, which method includes the following steps: measuring the instantaneous electrical power and/or energy drawn from the external electrical power supply network by said power supply substation or substations, and if the power or energy drawn from the external network tends to exceed an assigned threshold, sending one or more vehicles a set point acting on t

Abstract: A control system and method which includes storing the geographic location of the neutral sections along the path onboard the vehicle. A GPS system on the vehicle determines the geographic location of the vehicle. A program of the control system determines the position of the vehicle relative to the position of the neutral section from memory using the GPS to determine the location of the vehicle. Next, it provides a control for maintaining the circuit breaker of the vehicle open as the source collector passes through the neutral section.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A translation system, applicable in trains, elevators, aircraft launchers, rail guns, conveyors, door openers, machine tools and servo drives, includes a first linear switch reluctance machine (“LSRM”) having a stator and a translator each configured, positioned and proportioned for electromagentic engagement with the other. The system further includes an assembly for selectable application of at least one phase of a multiphasic DC excitation to the LSRM to produce a longitudinal or propulsive force between the stator and translator. The system further includes an assembly for the substantially simultaneous application of at least two phases of the DC excitation to the LSRM to produce a continual normal force between the stator and translator. A second LSRM may be provided, positioned in quadrature to the first LSRM, and in electromagetic engagement with it.

Abstract: A traction drive, in particular for rail cars, includes a permanent-excited synchronous motor, a traction converter with a pulsed inverter for powering the motor, and ohmic brake resistors. Cross-over switches are connected with a corresponding input terminal of the motor and can switch the input terminal between a corresponding output terminal of the pulsed inverter (for travel) and a terminal of a corresponding brake resistor (for braking). The brake resistors are electrically connected in a star configuration. The traction drive can operate with different supply voltages. There is no longer a need for a mechanical brake, and flat spots on the wheels can be prevented.

Abstract: A hybrid transport vehicle, which needs an overhead wire and/or a railway and has a plurality of kinds of energy supply systems and/or driving apparatuses, is provided with a condition detection device for detecting an energy supply condition of the energy supply systems and/or an operation condition of the driving apparatuses, and an informing device for informing the energy supply condition and/or the operation condition, detected by the condition detection device.

Abstract: A railroad locomotive includes traction motors for propelling the locomotive, and an isolation switch disposed in signal communication with at least one of the traction motors for isolating a faulting motor from the other traction motors.

Abstract: An energy management system for use with off-highway vehicles, including locomotives, that traverse a known course. A processor determines power storage and transfer parameters, including data indicative of present and future track profile information. The energy management system controls the storage and regeneration of electrical energy. A hybrid energy locomotive system has an energy storage and regeneration system. In one form, the system can be retrofitted into existing locomotives or installed as original equipment. The energy storage and regeneration system captures dynamic braking energy, excess motor energy, and or externally supplied energy. The captured energy is stored in an energy storage system such as a battery, a flywheel system, or a capacitor system. The energy storage and regeneration system can be located in a separate energy tender vehicle. The separate energy tender vehicle is optionally equipped with traction motors.

Abstract: A method for the drive coordination of a rail-guided vehicle with individual-wheel drive traveling on straight track, including the steps of determining a differential speed (&Dgr;n) of opposite track wheels and a control value (&Dgr;M) by a controller as a function of a set point, whereby the set point is ideally zero and the frequency and the damping of the control value (&Dgr;M) can be dynamically adjusted by controller parameters. The invention further comprises a method for the drive coordination of a rail-guided vehicle with individual-wheel drive, in particular when the vehicle is traveling over curves, in which at least one axle is fastened so that it can rotate with respect to the underbody, whereby the angular position (&ggr;st) of the axle with respect to the underbody is regulated so that the track wheels are tangential to the rail by setting the angular position (&ggr;sl) of the axle by means of the torque set points (MSet,l MSet,r) of the individual wheel drives.

Abstract: The rake is made up of at least two vehicles with two levels and includes on-board equipment items including at least one traction motor power supply unit, motive power supply units, auxiliary power supply units and a device adapted to be connected to a power supply network. At least one vehicle includes at least one motor bogie and at least one carrying bogie; at least one carrying bogie of the rake is associated with at least one of said on-board equipment items disposed approximately over it; the ratio between the respective motive power factors of any two groups of two vehicles of the rake is not less than ⅓ and not more than 3. The rake is for carrying passengers.

Abstract: Apparatus for ventilating electrical equipment on board a rail vehicle, said rail vehicle being powered with DC either directly by an electricity pick-up system connected to a DC source, or indirectly by rectifying and filtering electricity picked up by an electricity pick-up system connected to a single-phase AC source, each piece of electrical equipment being ventilated by means of a respective cooling fan controlled by an electric motor, wherein the electric motors are asynchronous motors, each fan electric motor being powered with three-phase AC by an individual converter connected to the DC for powering the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A railroad locomotive includes traction motors for propelling the locomotive, and an isolation switch disposed in signal communication with at least one of the traction motors for isolating a faulting motor from the other traction motors.

Abstract: The two axle locomotive of this invention includes a diesel engine directly coupled to a generator for generating power to a single electrical traction motor. Preferably, the drive motor is an AC traction motor which drives both axles of the locomotive using a single drive shaft assembly with a drive shaft affixed to an armature of the AC traction motor. Power to the AC traction motor is controlled by using a variable frequency alternating current control system. Auxiliary equipment power is also provided by the AC generator. In addition, by reversing the current in the AC traction motor the motor becomes an AC braking motor. Changes in the traction ability of each axle resulting from weight transfer between the two axles is automatically compensated for by the single drive shaft assembly. The suspension system includes a locomotive frame supported by the pair of axles using elastomeric springs, which also provides dynamic damping to limit the motion of the locomotive.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement (3) of modular design, in particular for propulsion of a railroad vehicle, having at least two series-connected, power-electronic modules (M1, M2, . . . Mn), which each have a DC isolation point. A first (M1) of these modules is connected to high voltage and a second (M1) is connected to frame or ground potential. The first module (M1) has a first power-electronics assembly (4) which is at high voltage and is connected to a power-electronics assembly (4) (which is at a lower potential) of the second or of a third module (M2). The power-electronics assemblies (4) of each module are arranged in one of several equivalent and dielectric material housings (10), each of which is normally designed in a cuboid shape. The housings (10) are arranged parallel and at a short distance away from one another with regard to their height on a plate (9) which is at frame or ground potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail-borne power unit for conveying passengers. The unit has at least one coach section formed by a coach body with at least one passenger compartment for passengers and with a driver's cab at one or both ends. The coach body is supported on running-gear assemblies formed by wheelsets and driven by at least one drive unit. The rail-borne power unit is a low-floor vehicle in which a central part of the coach body is lowered relative to its end parts. At least one end part of the rail-borne power unit is designed as a motor-coach head. The unit is selectively driven by at least one diesel-mechanical drive, or a diesel-electric drive, or a purely electric drive, or a multi-system drive formed by a combination of a diesel-electric drive with a purely electric drive, or a multi-system drive formed by a combination of two different electric drive variants, or a multi-system drive formed by a combination of a diesel-electric and two different electric drive variants.

Abstract: A locomotive traction motor control system includes a traction motor suspended by traction motor suspension bearings, such as roller bearings in a bearing assembly, and traction motor suspension bearing temperature sensors, such as thermistors, for sensing a temperature of the traction motor suspension bearings. A controller, such a microprocessor based controller, receives a hot bearing indication from a hot bearing detection unit (HBDU) connected to the suspension bearing temperature sensors. The controller generates a warning indication based on the temperature sensed by the suspension bearing temperature sensors when the HBDU detects an improper bearing temperature. The control system also facilitates detection and warning of an improper stretch braking condition and subsequently limits current to the traction motors in response to detecting the improper stretch braking condition.

Abstract: A plurality of high power semiconductor devices are connected in circuit with at least one electric traction motor for controlling electric power to the motor. The semiconductor devices are each thermally connected between a pair of generally hollow heat sinks adapted for passing cooling air therethrough for extracting heat therefrom. An anode terminal of the devices is coupled to one of the heat sinks of a pair and a cathode terminal of the devices is connected to the other heat sink of the pair. Each of the heat sinks are mounted in a cantilever fashion to a common air plenum forming one wall of an electrical circuit area of a vehicle. The distal ends of the heat sinks of a pair are coupled together by an air flow conduit thus forming a continuous air passage through the pair of heat sinks which begins and ends at the surface containing the air supply plenum. One end of one of the pair of heat sinks, preferably the heat sink coupled to the cathode terminal, is connected to an exhaust conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular installation for controlled transport of parts or products. This installation includes at least one autonomous pallet (10) carrying a traction mechanism, preferably in the form of an electric motor-brake (14), this pallet being provided with wheels (15, 16, 30, 31) for circulation on a rail network, conveying the motor feed current and the control signals for the traction mechanism of the pallet. The pallet comprises two girders (11 and 12) and a plate (13) provided with two centering pins (21). The installation is advantageous in that it is flexible and allows an adaptation to all utilizations, especially because the pallets may be managed individually by a central data processing unit.

Abstract: A multi-unit rail vehicle for commuter traffic. To keep the entry and exit of the vehicle only slightly higher than the level of the street, and to make it possible to travel through the entire vehicle without steps, a continuous, level central walkway is provided that is at the same height as the entryway. To accommodate the driving bogie, the wheel sets are driven via drive shafts and reduction gear mechanisms. The drive motors can be disposed to the side below the car body and beyond the pivot range of the bogie. If room permits, vertical motors can also be provided in one corner of the car body, with such a vertical motor also driving the wheel sets via drive shafts and reduction gear mechanisms. Advantageously, two drive motors can be provided that are disposed diagonally across from one another relative to the point of rotation of the bogie, with the drive shafts of the motors being parallel to the wheel sets, and torque being transferred via further drive shafts.

Abstract: An improved truck mounting mechanism for a model railroad locomotive includes a gimbal body fixed to a wheel-bearing truck frame. A gimbal mount is provided for receiving the gimbal body. The gimbal mount is flexibly secured to the locomotive chassis and the gimbal mount and gimbal body are constructed and arranged to provide three-axis movement of the truck frame relative to the chassis.

Abstract: An amusement ride vehicle for travel along a trackway defined by a pair of track rails. The vehicle includes a pair of transverse frames pivotally carried by an elongated main frame, with drive wheels carried by the transverse frames in driving engagement with upper surfaces of the track rails. Up-stop or pinch wheels below the drive wheels engage under sides of the track rails. The pinch wheels are pivotally mounted to the transverse frames by strut assemblies which hold the pinch wheels in constant forcible rolling engagement with the track rails at all times. This improves the driving traction of the drive wheels and provides constant up-stop protection against separation of the vehicle from the track rails. The strut assemblies are disconnectable to enable the pinch wheels to be pivoted out of interfering relation with the track rails so that the vehicle can be lifted from the track rails for maintenance, storage or the like.

Abstract: An earthed circuit for an electric railway car which is equipped with an electric circuit including an electrical apparatus for which a switching operation is performed by use of a power semiconductor device includes a first brush attached to one of the axles of the car for connecting a return circuit for the electric circuit to the ground and a second brush attached to the same axle to which the first brush is attached for connecting the car body and a box for holding the electrical apparatus to the ground. The noise current caused by the switching operation of the power semiconductor device can be effectively prevented from flowing into the rails on which the car is running.

Abstract: A vehicle bogie which includes a pair of mechanical bearings mounted on shafts of wheel assemblies and U-shaped beam surrounding the shafts and bridging the pairs of mechanical bearings. A linear induction motor is suspended from the beams, with the linear induction motor being coupled to the beams by a universal joint with the shafts being permitted to move in horizontal and vertical planes.

Abstract: A crane for use in a nuclear waste handling facility is disclosed. The crane includes a bridge of sufficient transverse dimension to span the width of the area being serviced, a bridge drive for moving the bridge along spaced rails extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the area being serviced, and a crane control cabinet depending from a cantilevered support extending from one end of the bridge. The nuclear waste handling facility includes a stationary radiation barrier extending longitudinally in spaced relationship to one of the rails supporting the crane. The barrier is positioned between the bridge and the crane control cabinet.

Abstract: A steerable truck comprises a pair of wheelsets spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the truck, each supporting a respective steering yoke. A main frame is supported by the yokes which are connected to the main frame to permit rotation of each yoke relative to the main frame about a respective vertical steering axis. A linear induction motor is located beneath the yokes for cooperation with a reaction rail to propel the truck. A suspension device suspends the motor from the yokes to maintain the motor a fixed height from the reaction rail. The thrust of the motor is transmitted to one of the yokes and a centering device is provided to inhibit lateral displacement of the motor relative to the yokes. The suspension device comprises three links each having universal connections at each end for connection to the motor and a respective one of the yokes.

Abstract: In a vehicular energy producing system including an electrical generating device and being adapted to be mounted on an undercarriage of a heavy vehicle, a support bracket mounted on the undercarriage for supporting the electrical generating device, and a clutch mounted on the undercarriage. The clutch is driven by the rotation of the wheels of the undercarriage to in turn drive the electrical generating device. A transmission drivingly connects the clutch and the generating device.

Abstract: A linear reluctance motor for the drive of rail transportation means which includes a primary part whose coils are fed with a.c. power while its secondary part is constructed rail-like, is arranged parallel to the track and is fixedly installed on the ground; the secondary part is thereby in the form of a toothed rack of ferromagnetic material whereby the primary part produces a magnetic field traveling cyclically in a direction opposite the drive direction and cooperating with the toothed rack.