Abstract: A system and method for starting a large diesel engine using at least one hydraulic motor includes an auxiliary power unit having a hydraulic pump for driving a hydraulic motor coupled to the diesel engine. The hydraulic pump may automatically pump oil from the diesel engine into a pressure reservoir until a pressure set point is exceeded. When the pressure set point is exceeded, a relief/check valve positioned between the pressure reservoir and the hydraulic pump may open to divert some lubrication oil through a heater and back into the diesel engine. To start the diesel engine, a solenoid-controlled valve, positioned between the pressure reservoir and a hydraulic motor coupled with the diesel engine, may be opened to release pressurized oil to the hydraulic motor. After energizing the hydraulic motor, the oil may be diverted back to a sump of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allow shutdown of the engine in various weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit (APU) comprising a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling, and the APU provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. The APU automatically starts in response to a low coolant temperature, low battery voltage, and low air reservoir pressure. It may also start automatically after extended shutdown to ensure reliability. Automatic primary engine shutdown is defeated if the secondary engine is disabled.

Abstract: A fuel heater for a tank includes an elongated member that fits through an opening in the tank. The elongated member includes a first tube that defines a fuel channel and ends with a bottom fuel intake. Fuel may be drawn from the tank and conveyed by a supply side line coupled to the first tube. A second tube of the elongated member is coupled to a return side line that conveys warmed fuel back to the tank. A third tube substantially coaxially surrounds the first tube, and an outlet of the second tube enters the third tube. A heat trace may be employed to warm the fuel. Accordingly, the temperature of fuel in the tank may be maintained above the cloud point temperature.

Abstract: A fuel heater for a tank and associated methods are disclosed. An elongated member fits through an opening in the tank. The elongated member includes a first tube that defines a fuel channel and ends with a bottom fuel intake. Fuel may be drawn from the tank and conveyed by a supply side line coupled to the first tube. A second tube of the elongated member is coupled to a return side line that conveys warmed fuel back to the tank. A third tube substantially coaxially surrounds the first tube, and an outlet of the second tube enters the third tube. A heat trace may be employed to warm the fuel. Accordingly, the temperature of fuel in the tank may be maintained above the cloud point temperature.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for preparing a fuel tank for repairs and verifying repair work upon completion. The apparatus includes a supply system constructed and arranged to be coupled to the fuel tank for providing a supply of inert gas into the fuel tank, for purging the fuel tank of oxygen to a certain level and for making inert the fuel tank with the gas. The supply system includes a gas release system constructed and arranged to provide the supply of inert gas. The supply system further includes an arrangement for connecting and facilitating transport of the inert gas. A supply mechanism is configured and positioned to facilitate and regulate a transfer of gas from the gas release system to the fuel tank. A connector mechanism is for coupling the supply mechanism to the gas release system. A relief system is constructed and arranged to be coupled to the fuel tank to regulate and relieve pressure in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A locomotive emissions reduction kit and method of earning emission credits enables an auxiliary power unit dedicated to a locomotive diesel engine allowing shutdown of such engine in all weather conditions, thereby significantly reducing exhaust emissions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine with substantially lower exhaust emissions coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the locomotive engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the locomotive engine coolant and lube oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. A geographic position determination unit generates locomotive location information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allow shutdown of the engine in various weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit (APU) comprising a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling, and the APU provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. The APU automatically starts in response to a low coolant temperature, low battery voltage, and low air reservoir pressure. It may also start automatically after extended shutdown to ensure reliability. Automatic primary engine shutdown is defeated if the secondary engine is disabled.

Abstract: A locomotive emissions reduction kit and method of earning emission credits enables an auxiliary power unit dedicated to a locomotive diesel engine allowing shutdown of such engine in all weather conditions, thereby significantly reducing exhaust emissions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine with substantially lower exhaust emissions coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the locomotive engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the locomotive engine coolant and lube oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. A geographic position determination unit generates locomotive location information.

Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for preparing a fuel tank for repairs and verifying repair work upon completion. The apparatus includes a supply system constructed and arranged to be coupled to the fuel tank for providing a supply of inert gas into the fuel tank, for purging the fuel tank of oxygen to a certain level and for making inert the fuel tank with the gas. The supply system includes a gas release system constructed and arranged to provide the supply of inert gas. The supply system further includes an arrangement for connecting and facilitating transport of the inert gas. A supply mechanism is configured and positioned to facilitate and regulate a transfer of gas from the gas release system to the fuel tank. A connector mechanism is for coupling the supply mechanism to the gas release system. A relief system is constructed and arranged to be coupled to the fuel tank to regulate and relieve pressure in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a locomotive system comprising at least one internal-combustion engine. Specifically, the present invention enables monitoring and compiling of locomotive systems operation data and location data to be used in a variety of useful functions, such as emissions monitoring or accident reconstruction. A geographic position determination unit generates location information. A plurality of sensors are appended to a locomotive system to monitor locomotive system features, including brake-line pressure, external temperature, engine temperature, and the like. Such sensors are coupled to a locomotive computer to enable data processing and transmission to a system user.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fuel tank for repairs and verifying the repair work using an apparatus is presented. The apparatus is connected to the fuel tank. The fuel tank is purged of oxygen to a certain level using a gas provided by the apparatus until a level of the oxygen in the fuel tank reaches that level. Openings on the fuel tank are closed to the environment. The fuel tank is repaired while the level of oxygen is maintained in the fuel tank. The gas provided by the apparatus pressurizes the fuel tank to a certain pressure level. The pressure level is maintained for a specified period of time. An inspection of the repaired area of the fuel tank is then performed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.