Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating the cabin of a locomotive wherein the ducts serve both a ventilating and a structural function. Horizontal duct provides support for floor in place of one or more of the regularly spaced joists. Horizontal duct may include stringers recessed into sound absorbing insulation within the duct. Vertical duct is formed in part from a portion of a wall of the control compartment of the locomotive cabin, thereby eliminating the need for separate wall sections. The space saved by using such structures for dual purposes may be used to increase the cross-sectional area of the ventilating apparatus, thereby allowing the speed of fan to be reduced to provide the desired ventilation at a reduced level of sound.

Abstract: A lubricating apparatus for an internal combustion engine incorporating a trap in fluid communication with a low point of the sump of the engine. The trap may house a plurality of meshes having a plurality of sizes for trapping precipitating solids. The trap may be isolated from the sump by a valve for cleaning of the trap and meshes. An auxiliary oil pump may provide a small flow of oil through the trap during periods of engine shutdown.

Abstract: An anti-polishing ring (143) formed to be integral with the cylinder head (132) of a diesel locomotive engine (120). A top portion (140) of a piston (128) of the engine is received by a skirt portion (142) of the cylinder head. The skirt portion has a diameter D4 that is greater than the piston diameter D3 but more than the diameter D1 of a cylinder liner (126). A coolant passage (148) may be formed in the cylinder head proximate the integral anti-polishing ring.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle includes an inverter mounted in the vehicle, the inverter having a plurality of high power IGBT modules for converting DC power to AC power for application to a plurality of AC electric motors connected in driving relationship to wheels on the vehicle. Each of the IGBT modules is mounted in thermal transfer relationship to an electrically isolated base plate and each base plate has a plurality of closely spaced, parallel slots formed across one surface with a plurality of fins fitted into the slots and extending from the base plate. The system includes apparatus for mounting the IGBT modules to a wall separating an electronics compartment from an air supply and air exhaust compartment. Air from an air supply plenum in the air supply compartment is directed into the fins extending from the IGBT base plate and exhaust through an exhaust conduit. The vehicle includes a blower to force air to flow through the fins extending from the base plate.

Abstract: A cooling system (10) for a turbocharged locomotive engine (12) including a two stage intercooler (20) for conditioning the combustion air (16). A first coolant loop (32) includes a first stage intercooler (38), the engine coolant passages (22), a radiator (34), a first tank (36), an oil cooler (30), and a first pump (40). A second coolant loop (42) includes a second stage intercooler (44) a subcooler (48), a second tank (46), and a second pump (50). A fluid connection is provided between the first coolant loop (32) and the second coolant loop (42) to provide heat there between during conditions of overcooling of the second coolant loop (42). Flow control valves forming a portion of first coolant loop (32) may be embodied in a single rotor-sleeve flow control valve (130).

Abstract: An engine cooling apparatus for cooling the engine prior to a scheduled maintenance activity. A cool down controller receives a maintenance cool down signal and operates to place the cooling fan, coolant pump, coolant bypass valve and air control shutter in their respective maximum or increased cooling modes. These components are maintained in their maximum or increased cooling mode until the engine reaches a predetermined temperature which may be a function of an ambient temperature control signal. Interlocks may be provided to incorporate a motion control signal and/or a brake control signal.

Abstract: A skate for conveying components into a monocoque locomotive. Portions of a monocoque locomotive platform are not accessible through a roof hatch. To move a component onto such portions of the platform, a skate assembly having an integral clamp assembly is attached to a leg portion of the component, the component is lifted onto the platform through a roof hatch, and the component is rolled on the skate rollers to the desired position on the platform. A jacking device integral to the skate assembly is then used to lift the component for removal of the rollers and for holding the component at a desired height for attachment to the locomotive.

Abstract: A circuit disrupter having a first conductor and a second conductor partially disposed in an enclosure. A connector is biased to an open position by a spring, but is held in an engaged position by a tab to connect first conductor to second conductor. When an operator removes tab, connector moves to the open position, thereby disconnecting first circuit element from second circuit element. Because the operator does not have access to the interior of enclosure, the first and second circuit elements will remain disconnected until appropriate maintenance activity is undertaken. The absence of tab from the circuit disrupter is a signal that such maintenance activity is required.

Abstract: A cooling system for a turbo-charged internal combustion engine utilizing a unified flow control valve capable of changing the mode of operation of the system in response to a varying heat demand. The unified flow control valve may be a solenoid operated slider valve having a cylinder with connections to the engine water jacket outlet, the intercooler inlet, the radiator inlet and outlet, and the water tank, and a piston having rows of openings which when aligned with the cylinder connections provide flow paths corresponding to various modes of operation.

Abstract: A processor system and method for accurately determining true ground speed in a vehicle having wheel-axles propelled by traction motors is provided. The vehicle is equipped with a radar unit for providing a radar signal indicative of vehicle speed relative to the ground. The radar signal is accurate when averaged over a sufficiently long period of time but may be susceptible to undesirable short term variations. The vehicle is further equipped with speed sensors coupled to the wheel-axles to supply respective wheel-axle speed signals. The respective wheel-axle speed signals may be accurate over a sufficiently short period of time but may also be susceptible to undesirable long term variations.

Abstract: A segmented stator end turn air deflector for an electric motor having a stator and a rotor. The stator has a plurality of stator coils with end turns and a plurality of air passages extending longitudinally through the stator. A frame having an inlet end and an outlet end surrounds the stator. The rotor is rotatably mounted inside the stator and the frame. Brackets are coupled adjacent to the outlet end of the frame in a circular orientation. An air baffle assembly is coupled with respect to the stator adjacent to the outlet end and extending between, but out of contact with, the frame and ends of the coils for the purpose of directing any air flowing from the air passages onto the end turns. The air baffle assembly includes a plurality of arcuate segments each coupled to a respective one of the brackets. The air baffle assembly further has a radially interior arcuate end and a radially exterior arcuate end and angularly oriented side edges which converge inwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restarting a locomotive engine based on the lubricating oil temperature Toil at the time of shutdown and an average oil cool down rate R. The average cool down rate R may be a function of the ambient air temperature TAIR at the time of shut down. The method and apparatus of this invention allows the engine to be shutdown during periods of inactivity to conserve fuel, but prevents the engine from cooling below a predetermined temperature in order to avoid excessive wear in operating limitations upon restart.

Abstract: A diesel engine includes a fuel injection control system communicating with a barometric pressure sensor and throttle position sensor. An elevation compensation controller adjusts engine speed and fuel injection timing at high altitudes in response to the sensed barometric pressure and engine throttle position. Engine speed is increased or decreased by predetermined values with changes in barometric pressure and throttle position to optimize engine performance and efficiency under various pressure conditions while reducing exhaust emissions.

Abstract: The system and method maximize available rail adhesion between the rails of a track and the wheels of a rail vehicle so that the vehicle is better able to accelerate up to operating speed and to decelerate to a stop condition under poor rail conditions. The system implements a control logic function which relies on a measured variable that is different than the controlled error signal utilized to affect control of the vehicle. The control system is enabled based on creep speed while the parameter used to effect control is wheel acceleration.

Abstract: An AC motorized wheel arrangement includes a wheel frame including a flange for attachment to a truck body; a wheel hub; roller bearings for supporting the wheel hub on the wheel frame; a shaft; an AC motor attached to a portion of the wheel frame facing an inboard side of the wheel for turning the shaft; a transmission attached to a portion of the wheel frame facing an outboard side of the wheel and connected to the shaft and the wheel hub for turning the wheel hub; and a service brake mounted between the wheel frame and the wheel hub. In a ventilation arrangement, two wheel frames are attached to opposite outer sides of and axle box and two alternating current motors are positioned in the axle box with each motor frame attached to one of the wheel frames. The motor frames include holes for permitting air from the axle box to enter the motors, and an air outlet housing is positioned between the two motors for receiving air from the two motors and directing air out a rear opening of the axle box.

Abstract: Torque is distributed by calculating first and second torque commands using a requested torque and a ratio of speeds of first and second wheels and limiting them in accordance with respective torque command approved ranges and approved change rates; converting the limited torque commands to horsepower commands and limiting them in accordance with respective horsepower command approved ranges and approved change rates; and converting the limited horsepower commands to present torque commands. Maximum horsepower available is determined by using an engine speed to determine a nominal amount of available horsepower; applying a desired load status signal and an actual engine load status signal to a proportional-integral A regulator; and using the nominal amount of available horsepower and an output signal of the regulator to determine the maximum amount of available horsepower.

Abstract: A bobbin for insulating a coil including a base portion comprising an electrically insulative material having an inner surface, an outer surface, an outer periphery, and a pole opening (54). An inner flange extends outwardly from the base portion in a first direction from the pole opening and at least partially defines the pole opening. Moreover, an outer flange extends outwardly from the base portion in the first direction from the outer periphery of the base portion. With this configuration, the bobbin is sized and configured to be placed on a side of the coil to provide ground insulation thereto.

Abstract: An insulated coil for use in a coil and pole assembly comprising an electrically conductive coil including a plurality of aligned, overlapping turns that are coated with a powder coating material so as to be electrically insulated from each other. The powder coated coil is heated so as to partially cure the powder coating material and then fitted about its associated pole. Once disposed about the pole, the coil is compressed in the vertical and horizontal directions, and heated while in the compressed state to completely cure the powder coating material.

Abstract: A torque controller system provides improved torque distribution as a function of wheel diameter size in a vehicle propelled by electric traction motors. The system includes one or more torque processors each having a multiplier coupled to receive an input signal and configured to produce an output signal which is the product of the input signal and a variable multiplier value generated by a respective torque distribution generator based on a predetermined torque distribution control function.

Abstract: A method for reducing the movement of a rotor cage relative to a rotor core in a rotor assembly, such as found in a squirrel cage AC induction motor. Movement is reduced by forming a depression in a portion of a rotor bar of the rotor cage. Formation of the depression displaces rotor bar material adjacent to the depression. The displacement of rotor bar material deforms an adjacent portion of the rotor core thereby fixing the rotor cage to the rotor core. The reduction in movement between the rotor cage and the rotor core is dependent on various depression geometries, quantities and positions. The invention further includes a rotor assembly with a substantially cylindrical rotor core having longitudinally extending slots on its outer surface. A rotor bar is positioned in at least one of the slots.