Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control strategy for operating a plurality of prune power sources (101-1 to 101-3) during propulsion, idling and braking and 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 present invention is directed at a general control strategy for a multi-engine systems (101-1, 101-2) where the power systems need not be of the same type or power rating and may even use different fuels The invention is based on a common DC bus (103) electrical architecture so that prime power sources need not be synchronized

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of injecting hot fluids into a hydrocarbon formation using a combustion and steam generating device installed at or near the well-head of an injector well. The various embodiments are directed generally to substantially increasing energy efficiency of thermal recovery operations by efficiently utilizing the energy of the combustion products and waste heat from the generator. The generator apparatuses can be installed at the well-head which, in turn, can be located close to the producing formation. The combustion products may be injected into a well along with steam or sequestered at another location.

Abstract: A load-lifting apparatus has one or more prime power sources, one or more energy storage systems and regenerative braking. Regenerative energy is recovered when the load-lifting apparatus lowers its load. The elements of the prime power sources, energy storage devices and electrical components may be distributed to provide stability for the load-lifting apparatus. The general power architecture and energy recovery method can be applied to cranes, rubber-tired gantry cranes, overhead cranes, mobile cranes, ship-to-shore cranes, container cranes, rail-mounted gantry cranes, straddle carrier cranes and elevators. In such an architecture, the energy storage system helps alleviate the power rating requirement of the prime power source with respect to the peak power requirement for lifting a load.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control strategy for operating a plurality of prime power sources during propulsion, idling and braking and 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 present invention is directed at a general control strategy for multi power plant systems where the power systems need not be of the same type or power rating and may even use different fuels. The invention is based on a common DC bus electrical architecture so that prime power sources need not be synchronized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a to a means 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 present invention 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a means of boosting the voltage output of an alternator utilizing the armature coils of the alternator as part of the boost circuit. This invention can enable refined control strategies for operating a plurality of engine systems during propulsion, idling and braking and 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.

Abstract: A transformerless direct turbogenerator for generating electricity is provided. Since the introduction alternator comprises multiple parallel windings, it allows elimination of the need for a transformer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-engine locomotive includes at least one converter to convert mechanical energy outputted by the engines to Direct Current (DC) electrical energy, a traction motor, and a DC bus connected to the engines, converter, and traction motor. The engines are configured to provide a power-per-length and/or power density that is greater than the power-per-length and/or power density of a single-engine locomotive having a power rating approximately the same as the cumulative power rating of the engines in the multi-engine locomotive.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to regenerative braking methods for a hybrid vehicle such as a hybrid locomotive, which are compatible with optimum management of a large battery pack energy storage system. Four methods for recovering energy from regenerative braking and for transferring this energy to an energy storage systems are disclosed. These methods may also be used with battery operated vehicles.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid locomotive that can operate in a multitude of operational modes, including a slug operating mode, an energy storage operating mode, a B-locomotive operating mode, an independent operating mode, and a power source operating mode, and/or can provide electrical energy to an external power distribution system, such as a power grid, catenary, and third rail.

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: The present invention is directed to a locomotive comprising energy storage units, such as batteries, a prime energy source, such as a diesel engine, and an energy conversion device, such as a generator. The locomotive comprises one or more of the following features: a separate chopper circuit for each traction motor and a controller operable to control separately and independently each axle/traction motor.

Abstract: A locomotive is provided that includes: a receiver operable to receiving a locating signal, the locating signal indicating a current spatial location of a selected locomotive and 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locomotive that includes: (a) a transmission 105 operable to drive a plurality of axles; (b) an electric motor 104 operatively connected to and driving the transmission; (c) an energy storage unit 106 operable to store electrical energy and supply electrical energy to the electric motor; (d) one or more prime movers 102 operable to supply electrical energy to the energy storage unit and electric motor; and (e) a power distribution bus 109 electrically connecting the energy storage unit, prime mover(s), and electric motor. The energy storage unit and/or generator provide electrical energy to the electric motor via the power distribution bus to cause the electric motor to rotate the axles via the transmission.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the termination of the occurrence of wheel slip/skid and prediction and prevention of the onset of wheel slip/skid in a locomotive. In one configuration, a lookup table of adhesion factors is used to predict the occurrence of wheel slip/skid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the termination of the occurrence of wheel slip/skid and prediction and prevention of the onset of wheel slip/skid in a locomotive. In one configuration, a lookup table of adhesion factors is used to predict the occurrence of wheel slip/skid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the termination of the occurrence of wheel slip/skid and prediction and prevention of the onset of wheel slip/skid in a locomotive. In one configuration, a lookup table of adhesion factors is used to predict the occurrence of wheel slip/skid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locomotive comprising energy storage units, such as batteries, a prime energy source, such as a diesel engine, and an energy conversion device, such as a generator. The locomotive comprises one or more of the following features: a separate chopper circuit for each traction motor; energy storage units that can be switched from parallel to series electrical connections, an fluid-activated anti-lock brake system, a controller operable to control separately and independently each axle/traction motor, and a controller operable to control automatically a speed of the locomotive. The present invention includes an integrated system for monitoring, controlling and optimizing an electrically powered locomotive using a combination of sensors and software to provide feedback that optimizes power train efficiency and individual drive axle performance for a locomotive that utilizes one of several possible electrical energy storage systems to provide the tractive power.