Abstract: System including a switch control module that is configured to control operation of a first contactor and a second contactor in a vehicle system. The first and second contactors are configured to selectively connect front-end and direct-current (DC) buses, respectively, to an energy storage system of the vehicle system. The front-end bus is configured to receive electrical power from an external power source and provide the electrical power to a converter device. The converter device is configured to supply DC power to the DC bus. The switch control module is configured to close the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably coupled to the external power source so that the energy storage system is charged by the DC power. The switch control module is configured to close one of the first contactor or the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably decoupled to the external power source.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink and a set of IGBTs coupled to the heatsink and configured to deliver power to a field exciter and a battery. The electronic device also includes a temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a junction temperature for at least one of the IGBTs of the set of IGBTs. The controller is also configured to de-rate an output power provided by each of the IGBTs based, at least in part, on the junction temperature.

Abstract: System including a switch control module that is configured to control operation of a first contactor and a second contactor in a vehicle system. The first and second contactors are configured to selectively connect front-end and direct-current (DC) buses, respectively, to an energy storage system of the vehicle system. The front-end bus is configured to receive electrical power from an external power source and provide the electrical power to a converter device. The converter device is configured to supply DC power to the DC bus. The switch control module is configured to close the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably coupled to the external power source so that the energy storage system is charged by the DC power. The switch control module is configured to close one of the first contactor or the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably decoupled to the external power source.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink, a first dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a field exciter, a second dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a battery, a third dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and common to the field exciter and the battery. The electronic device also includes a temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink, a cooling unit comprising a plenum and a variable source of air flow, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a desired level of cooling for at least one of the dual IGBTs, wherein an air flow rate provided by the cooling unit is determined based on the desired level of cooling.

Abstract: There is provided a control system and method related to the use of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) devices in vehicles. An exemplary control method includes receiving a status signal that indicates a fault condition in the operation of an IGBT device of an affected converter. The exemplary method also includes sending a control signal that turns off all IGBTs of the affected converter. The exemplary method additionally includes receiving a second status signal for each of the IGBTs that indicates whether each of the IGBTs successfully turned off. The exemplary method further includes generating an indication that the fault condition relates to a saturation condition or a power supply being outside a designated range, depending on a duration of the fault signal.

Abstract: There is provided a control system and method related to the use of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) devices in vehicles. An exemplary control method includes applying a voltage to a gate of an IGBT device to turn the IGBT on, measuring the collector-to-emitter voltage of the IGBT, and comparing the measured collector-to-emitter voltage to a voltage reference. The exemplary method also includes generating a fault condition if the measured collector-to-emitter voltage exceeds the voltage reference. The exemplary method additionally includes initiating a soft turn-off in response to the fault condition by reducing the voltage applied to the gate of the IGBT to a voltage slightly greater than a rated threshold voltage of the IGBT.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink and a set of IGBTs coupled to the heatsink and configured to deliver power to a field exciter and a battery. The electronic device also includes a temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a junction temperature for at least one of the IGBTs of the set of IGBTs. The controller is also configured to de-rate an output power provided by each of the IGBTs based, at least in part, on the junction temperature.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink, a first dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a field exciter, a second dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a battery, a third dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and common to the field exciter and the battery. The electronic device also includes a temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink, a cooling unit comprising a plenum and a variable source of air flow, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a desired level of cooling for at least one of the dual IGBTs, wherein an air flow rate provided by the cooling unit is determined based on the desired level of cooling.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining thermal behavior of a double H-bridge. An exemplary method includes applying current to a set of dual IGBTs of the double H-bridge, the dual IGBTs thermally coupled to a heatsink. The method also includes measuring case temperatures of each of the dual IGBTs. The method also includes, based on the measured case temperatures, determining a set of thermal resistance parameters that describe a thermal effect that the current through each dual IGBT has on the case temperatures of each dual IGBT. The method also includes using the thermal resistance parameters to generate a computer model for analyzing heat flow in the double H-bridge. The method also includes using the thermal model to estimate junction temperatures of the double H-bridge during operation of the double H-bridge.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink, a first dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a field exciter, a second dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a battery, and a third dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and common to the field exciter and the battery charger. The exemplary electronic device also includes a single temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink, a controller configured to receive a temperature reading from the single temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, estimate a junction temperature of at least one of the first, second, or third dual IGBT.

Abstract: There is provided a control system and method related to the use of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) devices in vehicles. An exemplary control method includes receiving a status signal that indicates a fault condition in the operation of an IGBT device of an affected converter. The exemplary method also includes sending a control signal that turns off all IGBTs of the affected converter. The exemplary method additionally includes receiving a second status signal for each of the IGBTs that indicates whether each of the IGBTs successfully turned off. The exemplary method further includes generating an indication that the fault condition relates to a saturation condition or a power supply being outside a designated range, depending on a duration of the fault signal.

Abstract: Power system and method for providing electrical power are provided. The system includes a traction system and auxiliary equipment coupled to a power bus. The traction system includes one or more electromotive machines having a first type of stator winding that provides protection relative to voltage spikes expected at the traction stator under a first voltage level appropriate for the traction system. The auxiliary equipment includes one or more electromotive machines having a second type of stator winding that provides protection relative to spikes expected at the auxiliary stator under a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level. Inverter circuitry is coupled to drive the auxiliary equipment, and signal-conditioning circuitry is provided to attenuate voltage spikes produced by the inverter circuitry. The power bus is operated at the first voltage level, and the voltage spike attenuation is sufficient to protect the auxiliary stator.

Abstract: Power system and method for providing electrical power are provided. The system includes a traction system and auxiliary equipment coupled to a power bus. The traction system includes one or more electromotive machines having a first type of stator winding that provides protection relative to voltage spikes expected at the traction stator under a first voltage level appropriate for the traction system. The auxiliary equipment includes one or more electromotive machines having a second type of stator winding that provides protection relative to spikes expected at the auxiliary stator under a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level. Inverter circuitry is coupled to drive the auxiliary equipment, and signal-conditioning circuitry is provided to attenuate voltage spikes produced by the inverter circuitry. The power bus is operated at the first voltage level, and the voltage spike attenuation is sufficient to protect the auxiliary stator.

Abstract: A locomotive auxiliary power system and control techniques for such a system are provided. In one exemplary embodiment the auxiliary power system includes an auxiliary alternator coupled to the internal combustion engine of the locomotive. The system further includes an auxiliary power bus powered by the auxiliary alternator. A rectifier may be connected between the auxiliary alternator and the auxiliary power bus. A plurality of devices may be electrically powered by the auxiliary power bus. A respective inverter is connected between the auxiliary power bus and each device, wherein the inverter provides a path for diverting electrical power generated during a transient mode by at least one the plurality of devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary alternator is made up of a single alternator connected through a single shaft to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A locomotive auxiliary power system and control techniques for such a system are provided. In one exemplary embodiment the auxiliary power system includes an auxiliary alternator coupled to the internal combustion engine of the locomotive. The system further includes an auxiliary power bus powered by the auxiliary alternator. A rectifier may be connected between the auxiliary alternator and the auxiliary power bus. A plurality of devices may be electrically powered by the auxiliary power bus. A respective inverter is connected between the auxiliary power bus and each device, wherein the inverter provides a path for diverting electrical power generated during a transient mode by at least one the plurality of devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary alternator is made up of a single alternator connected through a single shaft to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes an inverter having a plurality of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and capacitors for converting DC power to AC power and at least one power bus bar including an interconnecting bus bar and a plurality of extension bus bars. The area between the conductors of the interconnecting bus bar and the extension bus bars is minimized to reduce the inductance between the IGBTs and the capacitors. The extension bus bars are each coupled to the interconnecting bus bar and a respective one of the IGBTs and capacitors. An IGBT can be removed from the inverter without removing the interconnecting bus bar or any other IGBT. The capacitors can be positioned at ninety degree angles with respect to the interconnecting bus bar. In one embodiment, the IGBTs are additionally positioned at ninety degree angles with respect to the interconnecting bus bar. In an alternate embodiment, the IGBTs are positioned parallel with respect to the interconnecting bus bar.