Electric Patents (Class 105/49)
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Patent number: 12162626Abstract: The application provides an autonomous refueling vehicle for a hydrogen-electric aircraft, which includes two or more wings. The wings are provided with one or more removable electric propulsion pods. The autonomous refueling vehicle includes a hydrogen refueling module adapted to connect to the propulsion pods and to a hydrogen source. The autonomous refueling vehicle includes also includes a propulsion pod handling device, which is adapted to remove the propulsion pod from the wings and to position the propulsion pods on the hydrogen refueling module such that the propulsion pods are connected to the hydrogen refueling module. The autonomous refueling vehicle is also adapted to autonomously move itself to the hydrogen source to allow the hydrogen refueling module to removably connect to the hydrogen source for refueling of the propulsion pods.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: H3 Dynamics Holdings Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Taras Wankewycz, Matthew Mehmet Crawford, Cher Chuan Lee, Harshavardhan Thakar
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Patent number: 12132403Abstract: An isolated, power factor corrected, converter, for operation from a three-phase AC source, comprises three power processors, each power processor connected to one of the three phases. Each power processor comprises a cascade of a first and a second power conversion stage. At least one of the first and second power converters in each power processor is configured to provide galvanic isolation through a DC Transformer between the power processor input and output. At least one of the first and second power converters in each power processor is configured to provide power factor correction at the AC source. Substantially all of the bulk energy storage and low frequency filtering is provided by storage elements at the output of the power system. Low voltage semiconductor devices may be cascaded to implement low output capacitance high voltage switches in a multi-cell resonant converter for high voltage applications.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Vicor CorporationInventor: Patrizio Vinciarelli
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Patent number: 11952217Abstract: An electric guide rail type conveying system comprises a driving motor, a guide rail, a main transmission case, an auxiliary transmission case, a conveying member, and a moving trolley. Both ends of the conveying member are elastically deformably wound on the first rotating member and the second rotating member of a main transmission case body in two opposite winding direction. Before installation, the conveying member is basically wound on the first rotating member and the second rotating member. When a relative outer portion of the conveying member wound on the first rotating member is separated from the rotating member, a first elastic resilience opposite to one of the two opposite winding direction is generated; with the increase of a portion, separated from the first rotating member, of the conveying member, the first elastic resilience will increase; otherwise, the first elastic resilience will decrease.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Hangzhou ZAFFER Intelligent Technology Co.,Ltd.Inventors: Justine Jin, Qi Jin, Yubin Li, Bizhang Zhao
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Patent number: 11923573Abstract: A freight vehicle has a loading space, on which freight is loaded, rearward of a vehicle cabin in which an occupant rides. The freight vehicle includes a fuel cell mounted below the vehicle cabin and functioning as an electric power source, a storage portion disposed between the vehicle cabin and the loading space, and a tank disposed in the storage portion and stores fuel gas that is supplied to the fuel cell, and a radiator installed in the storage portion and performs heat exchange between air and a coolant that is supplied to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HINO MOTORS, LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Sawada, Yukihide Yokoyama, Yuichi Yagami
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Patent number: 11858542Abstract: An end-of-train (EOT) unit that comprises an enclosure housing its monitoring, control, and communication equipment and systems, an arm that positions and supports at least one auxiliary wheel on a rail of a track to rotate electrical generator coupled to the auxiliary wheel while the train is moving.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Meteorcomm, LLCInventor: Lawrence J. Corvari
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Patent number: 11786059Abstract: A meal delivery vehicle for delivering foods includes a vehicle unit, a cover unit, and a power supply. The cover unit is mounted to the vehicle unit and cooperates with a carrier surface of the vehicle unit to define a space to receive the foods therein. The cover unit includes a cover and a driving device connected to the cover and operable for converting the cover between a covering state, where the cover covers the space, and an open state, where the cover uncovers the space to allow the space to be in spatial communication with ambient surroundings. The power supply unit is electrically connected to the driving device to provide electricity thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Inventor: Kuang-Chen Lo
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Patent number: 11772496Abstract: A regenerative braking system of an automobile is disclosed. The system also includes an alternator, a plurality of supercapacitors and a power converter subsystem. The system also includes an automobile status sensing subsystem, which identifies a real time motion status of the automobile via one of an accelerometer and a pulse signal measurement. The power converter subsystem is operatively coupled to electrical system and the plurality of supercapacitors. The power converter subsystem transfers generated energy from the alternator and store the generated energy in the plurality of supercapacitors in an event of the braking of the automobile. The stored energy, which is stored in the supercapacitors, is slowly returned to the electrical systems of the automobile during idling, accelerating or running conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Inventor: Anusheel Nahar
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Patent number: 11639187Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a rail transport system. The rail transport system includes: a rail, the rail includes a steering portion and a travelling portion, the travelling portion is connected to the steering portion, and a first recess is constructed on the travelling portion to form an escape passage; and a rail vehicle, where the rail vehicle includes bogies and a vehicle body, the bogie movably straddles the rail, the bogie fits in with an inner bottom surface of the escape passage of the travelling portion and the steering portion, and the bogie travels by using the travelling portion and is steered by using the steering portion, and the vehicle body is connected to the bogie and pulled by the bogie to travel along the rail. The rail transport system according to this embodiment of the present disclosure has advantages such as facilitation of evacuation of passengers in an emergency, low costs, small occupied space, small rail weight bearing, and high stability.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Penglin Zhao, Hao Zeng, Junjie Liu, Fanghong Peng, Guodong Zhang
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Patent number: 11224820Abstract: A vehicle (10) comprising a body (20), a first wheel axle (31) and a second wheel axle (41), whereon one or more wheels (30, 40) is/are mounted, an electric motor (51) and a control unit (52); and wherein the electric motor is connected to the second wheel axle (41); and wherein the electric motor is configured for driving the one or more wheels (40) that is/are mounted on the second wheel axle (41), wherein said vehicle (10) comprises a movement detection unit configured for detecting a movement in the form of a rotation of the vehicle's wheels (30, 40) and/or wheel axles (31, 41); and wherein the control unit (52) is configured for receiving a signal from the movement detection unit when it detects a movement of the vehicle; and wherein the control unit (52) is configured for transmitting a signal to the electric motor (51) when the movement detection unit detects a movement in the form of a rotation of the vehicle's wheels and such that the electric motor (52) continuously powers the one or more wheels (40Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: LEGO A/SInventors: Kasper Mygind Pedersen, Henning Mikkelsen, Henning Sand Kirk, Orkan Kilic
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Patent number: 11063272Abstract: A support frame includes a first member, a second member, and a third member each having a surface. The first member is connected to the second member by fitting, and the first member is connected to the third member by fitting. In each of connecting portions, one of members connected to each other is defined as a first connecting member and the other one of the members is defined as a second connecting member. A side end portion of the first connecting member on a side facing the second connecting member is provided with an extending portion. The extending portion has a flat shape, and the extending portion is provided with a fitted portion constituted by a recessed portion. A side end portion of the second connecting member on a side facing the first connecting member is provided with a fitting portion configured to fit in the fitted portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yugo Ichida
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Patent number: 10906403Abstract: Provided is a collected current monitoring device enabling an analysis of collected current in each current collector while allowing a reduced equipment cost. The collected current monitoring device of the present disclosure is installed in a railroad vehicle including current collectors, main transformers, and main converters.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Central Japan Railway CompanyInventors: Yuichi Ahiko, Kotaro Nakamura, Hiroki Shimoyama
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Patent number: 10115247Abstract: A method is provided for controlling charging of an electric energy storage system in a vehicle including an electric machine which is arranged for propulsion of the vehicle. The method includes initiating the charging upon connection of the energy storage system to an external power supply via a first connector element associated with the vehicle and a second connector element associated with the external power supply, and monitoring a contact resistance defined by the connection of the connector elements. Furthermore, the method includes measuring and calculating the power loss over the connector elements during the charging, and generating an error signal if the power loss is higher than a predetermined threshold value, the error signal being dependent on the magnitude of the power loss. An arrangement for controlling charging of an electric energy storage system in a vehicle is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Filip Alm, Jerker Lennevi
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Patent number: 9946247Abstract: A system for managing real-time work information of a motor fitting provides a sensor set at the motor fitting to transmit the real-time work information to a processing module. A processing unit of the processing module sends type information and a real-time work parameter according to the real-time work information. When a detection unit determines the real-time work parameter is fallen outside a normal work parameter according to a lookup table stored in a database and the type information, the detection unit generates an abnormal-notification signal for transmission. When an application procedure of the application-processing unit is triggered, the application-processing unit activates a play unit to play the normal work parameter, and further the activated play unit plays notification information upon receiving the abnormal-notification signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Teco Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chao-Kai Liu, Ji-Hung Kang, Hung-Chun Chang, Chen-Shun Hung, Chun-Hung Chen, Chien-Hung Chen
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Patent number: 9906184Abstract: A temperature detection element that detects a temperature of a detector is provided in a detector that detects a rotational position and/or a rotational speed of a rotor of a motor. An estimated value of a change of a wiring temperature is calculated based on a current supplied to the wiring of the motor. An estimated value of a change of the detector temperature is calculated based on the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature. A difference between the detector temperature detected by the temperature detection element and the estimated value of the change of the detector temperature is set as an environmental temperature. The environmental temperature is added to the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature, to estimate an absolute value of the wiring temperature. The wiring temperature is monitored based on the estimated absolute value of the wiring temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: OKUMA CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiko Yato
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Patent number: 9492761Abstract: A model locomotive with vapor-smoking and furnace-firing-and-lighting effects comprises an outer body; a hollow body installed within the outer body for installing liquid of specific volume; a funnel smoking tube installed at a front wall of the inner body; a steam whistle smoking tube, a safety valve smoking tube and a generator smoking tube installed at an upper wall of the inner body; a wind inlet tube for a blower installed at a rear wall of the inner body; a vapor generator, an air-exhausting and water-draining tube for a cylinder, and a water level switch being installed at a lower wall of the inner body; and a plurality of transparent smoking tube installed at a front wall and a rear wall of the inner body for viewing an interior of the inner body; a plurality of lighting elements being installed at the interior of the inner body, an outer side of the rear wall of the inner body and an interior of an opening of a combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Inventor: Shih-Ming Chao
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Patent number: 9487091Abstract: A method of adjusting the power absorbed by at least one vehicle powered by at least one electrical energy storage unit and one electrical network on the ground providing the vehicle with at least one inrush current necessary for starting up the vehicle, includes adjusting the inrush current, before and at least during the starting-up of the vehicle, to a constant mean value and keeping variations of the inrush current around the mean value to a minimum by controlling at least one variable supply of compensating energy from the energy storage unit of the vehicle. A computer for implementing the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Siemens S.A.S.Inventors: Xavier Bavard, Eric Chattot, Said El Fassi, Jean-Noel Verhille
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Patent number: 9417630Abstract: A method comprises receiving an alarm state from one or more inspection systems that inspects one or more components of a vehicle system. The method then identifies operational parameters of the vehicle system. The operational parameters represent at least one of a current location of the vehicle system, a current terrain over which the vehicle system is currently travelling, an upcoming terrain that the vehicle system is travelling toward, a current moving speed of the vehicle system, a position of one or more controls of the vehicle system, a state of a brake of the vehicle system or an identification of one or more vehicle units in the vehicle system. The method then selects and implements a mitigating action to implement from plural different mitigating actions based on the alarm state and the one or more parameters of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, David Allen Eldredge, Glenn Robert Shaffer, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger
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Patent number: 9108649Abstract: An underframe structure of a railcar capable of reducing a deformation amount of a cross beam supporting an underfloor equipment upon underfloor fire. The underframe structure of the railcar includes an underframe having a pair of side sills extending in a railcar longitudinal direction and a cross beam arranged between the side sills and extending in a railcar width direction, a structural floor provided on an upper surface of the underframe, and an underfloor equipment suspended down in a center part in the railcar width direction of the cross beam. The underframe structure includes a passenger cabin floor provided on an upper side of the structural floor, the passenger cabin floor forming a lower surface of a passenger cabin S, and floor receiving members supporting the passenger cabin floor and extending in the railcar longitudinal direction between the structural floor and the passenger cabin floor.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Makoto Taguchi, Atsushi Sano, Toshiyuki Yamada, Osamu Muragishi, Masashi Kawamura, Yuji Kamei, Shuichi Mizuma
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Patent number: 9099699Abstract: A system for distributing energy among a plurality of power consumers may include a plurality of reaction cells configured to receive electrolytes and provide electric power. The system may also include a first tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including positively charged electrolytes and a second tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including negatively charged electrolytes. The system may also include at least one pump configured to pump fluid among the plurality of reaction cells and the first and second tanks. The system may include a controller configured to control operation of the at least one pump based on a desired power supply to at least one of the plurality of power consumers.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.Inventor: Jerry Van Polen
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Patent number: 9003976Abstract: An electric machine has a base body in which a stator of the electric machine is arranged. The electric machine has a rotor shaft which is mounted in the base body in bearings for rotation. The electric machine has a pick-up element connected in fixed rotative engagement with the base body and which taps a voltage present on the rotor shaft. The pick-up element is electrically connected to the base body via a capacitor and/or an ohmic resistor. A capacitance value of the capacitor is at least 1 nF. A resistance value of the ohmic resistor is between 10 mO and 10 O.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Brauer, Carsten Probol
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Publication number: 20150090149Abstract: A chassis front assembly, a chassis rear assembly and a chassis intermediate assembly are disclosed. The chassis front assembly and the chassis rear assembly are connected to the chassis intermediate assembly for forming a chassis. A kit is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Keith Masserang, Joshua J. Hicks, Lawrence J. Lawson, Barry A. Clark
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Patent number: 8857345Abstract: A system for distributing energy among a plurality of power consumers may include a plurality of reaction cells configured to receive electrolytes and provide electric power. The system may also include a first tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including positively charged electrolytes and a second tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including negatively charged electrolytes. The system may also include at least one pump configured to pump fluid among the plurality of reaction cells and the first and second tanks. The system may include a controller configured to control operation of the at least one pump based on a desired power supply to at least one of the plurality of power consumers.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.Inventor: Jerry Van Polen
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Publication number: 20140261059Abstract: A modular locomotive UC storage system includes: at least one cabinet section in a locomotive; a plurality of vertical stacks of UC modules housed within each cabinet section, each UC module including a plurality of UC cells; wherein each UC module within each of the vertical stacks of UC modules is connected in parallel to the UC modules within the vertical stack; wherein each of the vertical stacks of UC modules are connected in series with the other vertical stacks of UC modules within each cabinet section; wherein the connections between the UC modules and between the vertical stacks of UC modules are made by bus bars located such that the UC modules electrically connect with the bus bars in an appropriate combination of series and parallel connections when the UC modules are located in position within the cabinet sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: David Cook
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Patent number: 8838303Abstract: A diesel-hybrid control device according to the present invention generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a storage battery car constituting a vehicle system of a train and driven by a motor, and includes a driving-force instruction unit that generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a railcar constituting the vehicle system and driven by a diesel engine. The driving-force instruction unit generates an instruction signal for instructing to start driving the storage battery car and generates an instruction signal for instructing to be on standby for driving the railcar at a time of starting the train.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Keita Hatanaka
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Patent number: 8789473Abstract: A flow battery system may include at least one electrolyte tank for storing electrolytes. The system may also include a plurality of reaction cells, each having an output current. The system may further include a plurality of pumps, each associated with one of the plurality of reaction cells, for pumping the electrolytes into the reaction cell at a flow rate. The system may also include a pump sensor configured to monitor the flow rate of at least one of the plurality of pumps. The system may also include an output sensor configured to monitor an output current of at least one of the plurality of reaction cells. The system may further include a controller configured to control the flow rate of at least one of the plurality of pumps based on the output current of the reaction cell associated with the at least one of the plurality of pumps.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel Inc.Inventor: Jerry Van Polen
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Patent number: 8789472Abstract: Disclosed is a system of energy storage and electrical motorization to be installed on a towed car of a convoy. The system includes an energy storage module having the capacity to receive energy, to accumulate the energy over time and to restore the energy upon request in electrical form; a motor/generator transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa. An acceleration detector is configured to generate a first signal, the first signal indicating an acceleration undergone by the car. A controller establishes for establishing commands and provides control signals to different system components according to the first signal energy storage module accumulating or restoring the energy to the electrical converter. The controller is configured to cause the motor/generator to progressively apply a tractive force in response to the first signal, the tractive force being an increasing function of the acceleration indicated by the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Serise Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Serge Mai
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Patent number: 8729728Abstract: The invention relates to a power adjustment system adapted for powering an electric line for supplying power to vehicles moving in a traffic lane combined with said electric line that comprises an electric supply feeder (AD) delivering an average electric power directly or via at least one converter to the electric line, and an adjustable power based on power fluctuation and required for an instantaneous traffic intensity to an energy storage means (MS) capable of powering the electric line at a peak power via at least one other converter, characterised in that a dimensioning unit (PCC) receives information on the power needs based on the traffic intensity evaluated over at least one duration of said traffic, and in that the dimensioning unit uses information for controlling an adjustment of the useful predictable storage of the storage means so that the electric power (P_IN0, P_IN1) delivered to the storage means is adjusted and minimal while exactly maintaining a sufficient energy backup in the storage meanType: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Siemens S.A.S.Inventors: Xavier Bavard, Eric Chattot, Jean-Noël Verhille
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Patent number: 8720344Abstract: A system includes an interior duct, a blower, a vent coupling, and a secondary duct. The interior duct is fluidly coupled with the inlet and with an energy storage device disposed in a vehicle. The blower draws cooling fluid received through the inlet and through the interior duct to cause a first portion of the cooling fluid to flow over and/or through the energy storage device. The vent coupling directs the first portion of the cooling fluid that flowed over and/or through the energy storage device into a vented area. The secondary duct directs a second portion of the cooling fluid from the interior duct into the vent coupling to mix with the first portion of the cooling fluid after the first portion of the cooling fluid flows over and/or through the energy storage device.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, John D. Butine
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Publication number: 20140116286Abstract: An electric machine that includes a rotor core made of magnetic steel; a stator configured with stationary windings therein; openings disposed within or on the rotor core; and a rotor circuit that is configured to introduce saliency based on an orientation of part of the rotor circuit in relationship to a pole location of the electric machine, where the rotor circuit is made of a conductive, non-magnetic material. A rotor component and various embodiments of electric machines are also disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Kum Kang Huh, Patel Reddy, Ayman Mohamed Fawzi El-Refaie, Patrick Lee Jansen, Roy David Schultz, Lembit Salasoo
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Patent number: 8677908Abstract: A power conversion unit is unitized by accommodating an inverter, converter, and control equipment etc in a box-shaped enclosure having six faces. A storage battery unit is unitized by accommodating a storage battery and storage battery control equipment etc in a box-shaped enclosure having six faces. The driving control equipment of a driver's cab is accommodated in a box-shaped enclosure having six faces. A power generation unit is unitized by accommodating an engine, main generator and radiator etc in a box-shaped enclosure having six faces. The power conversion unit, storage battery unit, driver's cab and power generation unit are mounted on a car body under-frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Masahiko Kanda
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Patent number: 8671844Abstract: A railway vehicular power converter adapted to be fixed beneath a floor of a railway vehicle has a power conversion unit, a housing, and a plurality of L-shaped securing members provided at upper end parts of an outer surface of the housing for fixing beneath the floor of the railway vehicle. The plurality of securing members is reinforced by reinforcing members provided inside the housing and attached behind the surface of the housing where the securing members are disposed. Each of the reinforcing members has a C-channel having a length substantially the same as a length of the housing in a shorter direction thereof, and has two edges in the shorter direction bent at least once.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiyoshi Takahashi
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Patent number: 8622002Abstract: A rail vehicle has a powered bogie, wherein the powered bogie has driven wheels. Each driven wheel of the powered bogie can be driven by an electric machine, with a power converter being assigned to the electric machine. As a result, a separate power converter is assigned to each driven wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Andreas Jöckel
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Publication number: 20130220163Abstract: A system for distributing energy among a plurality of power consumers may include a plurality of reaction cells configured to receive electrolytes and provide electric power. The system may also include a first tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including positively charged electrolytes and a second tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including negatively charged electrolytes. The system may also include at least one pump configured to pump fluid among the plurality of reaction cells and the first and second tanks. The system may include a controller configured to control operation of the at least one pump based on a desired power supply to at least one of the plurality of power consumers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventor: Jerry Van Polen
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Patent number: 8505464Abstract: A trolley capable mining truck includes a pantograph supported on a machine frame for electrically connecting the truck with an overhead trolley line. A power system includes an onboard electrical power source providing electrical power to electric drive propulsion motors along a first electrical path in a first configuration of the power system. The pantograph provides electrical power from the overhead trolley line to the electric drive propulsion motors along a second electrical path, which includes a transient damping reactor, in a second configuration of the power system. The power system also includes a third configuration in which, during a braking mode of the trolley capable mining truck, the electric drive propulsion motors provide regenerative electrical power to the overhead trolley line through the pantograph along a third electrical path including a regenerative power converter, wherein the regenerative power converter includes the transient damping reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian Huber, Eric J. Ruth, Bradley S. Bailey, Matthew L. Hendrickson
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Patent number: 8499909Abstract: A mining haul truck driven by electrical wheel motors is powered by a trolley power system during an uphill climb. Retard energy captured during braking action on either the uphill climb or downhill descent is stored by an on-board electrical energy storage system. Electrical power is supplied from the on-board electrical energy storage system to reduce the peak power demand on the trolley power system during the uphill climb. One implementation of the on-board electrical energy storage system uses an ultracapacitor system.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Joy Mazumdar, Walter Köllner
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Publication number: 20130092045Abstract: A railway vehicular power converter adapted to be fixed beneath a floor of a railway vehicle has a power conversion unit, a housing, and a plurality of L-shaped securing members provided at upper end parts of an outer surface of the housing for fixing beneath the floor of the railway vehicle. The plurality of securing members is reinforced by reinforcing members provided inside the housing and attached behind the surface of the housing where the securing members are disposed. Each of the reinforcing members has a C-channel having a length substantially the same as a length of the housing in a shorter direction thereof, and has two edges in the shorter direction bent at least once.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
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Patent number: 8381659Abstract: A railway vehicle including a plurality of bogies is provided. Each bogie includes a chassis, two front wheels and two rear wheels. For each front wheel and each rear wheel, a guidance device is provided for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis is provided on the guidance device. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels are arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie. The primary suspension devices each include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected by a first connection point to the chassis and by a second connection point to the corresponding guidance device and at least one resilient component inserted between the two connecting rods to define at least the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension device, the two connecting rods being offset longitudinally relative to one another. Each of the bogies also includes a pivot connection device for connecting the bogie to the railway vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Alstom Transport SAInventors: Alain Rodet, Christophe Eche, Yves Longueville, Francis Demarquilly
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Patent number: 8342103Abstract: Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Norfolk Southern CorporationInventors: Gibson V Barbee, Gerhard A Thelen, Robert S Runyon, Derick Vander Klippe
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Publication number: 20120199039Abstract: A drive system for a grid blower of a vehicle is provided. The system includes: an electrical bus, a grid of resistive elements connected to the electrical bus, the grid of resistive elements configured to thermally dissipate electrical power generated from braking of the vehicle, the electrical power being transmitted on the electrical bus to the grid of resistive elements, an electrical power modulation device configured to modify electrical power received from at least one of the electrical bus and the grid of resistive elements, and a grid blower motor coupled to an output of the electrical power modulation device, wherein a speed of the grid blower motor varies based on the electrical power that has been modified by the electrical power modulation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Worden, Sudhir Kumar Gupta, Theodore Clark Brown
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Publication number: 20120160125Abstract: A system is provided for powering a locomotive. The system comprises a plurality of traction motor assemblies, each assembly comprising an armature and a field; a first power source connected in series to each armature; and in specific circumstances, a second power source connected across the fields. A method of controlling traction power in a locomotive is also provided, the method comprising: identifying which of a plurality of traction motor armatures in the locomotive has a highest current reading; and ramping a traction motor field current to equal the highest current reading for the traction motor armatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: ZTR Control SystemsInventors: Aldo LIBERATORE, Viktor GVELESIANI
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Patent number: 8196518Abstract: A passenger locomotive is retrofitted with a hybrid energy head end power (HEP) system to generate head end power that is substantially continuously provided to a passenger railcar while the locomotive, which is operable in a motoring mode and a dynamic braking mode, is in use. The locomotive has a primary power source that provides primary electrical energy to a traction bus to power a traction motor when in the motoring mode. The traction motor generates excess electrical energy when in the dynamic braking mode. The HEP energy storage system generates head end power that is suitable for non-motoring use by a passenger railcar by converting the stored excess electrical energy and primary electrical energy into the head end power and providing the head end power to the HEP bus substantially continuously while the passenger locomotive is in use.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Titan Rail, Inc.Inventor: Eric C. Bachman
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Patent number: 8171860Abstract: A cooling system for a hydrogen hybrid locomotive including a set of electric traction motors and a hydrogen fuel cell system for providing electric power for driving the traction motors. The cooling system includes a radiator for extracting heat from cooling fluid circulated through the hydrogen fuel cell system and a circulation system. The circulation system has a pump for moving the cooling fluid through the circulation system, a first circulation path including a radiator output valve for controlling a selected amount of the cooling fluid provided by the pump to a cooling fluid inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system through the radiator, and a second circulation path including a bypass valve for bypassing a selected amount of the cooling fluid provided by the pump around the radiator and to the cooling fluid inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system. A fan system provides air flow across the radiator.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Arnold R. Miller, Kris S. Hess, Timothy L. Erickson, James L. Dippo
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Publication number: 20120090499Abstract: Provided is a high mobility railroad vehicle system configured to reciprocally carry out a direct drive between a non-electrically driven section and an electrically driven section without installing new facilities such as oil supply equipment and without considering distinction between the non-electrically and electrically driven sections. A railroad vehicle system is provided with an overall control apparatus to respectively control an external electric power supply means, an internal electric power supply means, an electricity storage means, electric power conversion means and a motor driving means. The railroad vehicle system judges or previously notifies as to whether the present driving railroad section is the electrically driven section or non-electrically driven section in accordance with driving position information received from a position information generation means such as a ground facility on a railroad equipped outside of the vehicle and a global positioning system (GPS).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2009Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Motomi Shimada, Takashi Kaneko, Kento Mochizuki, Seiji Ishida
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Publication number: 20120085260Abstract: An improved rail system fuel tender for use with one or more railroad locomotives capable of transporting a plurality of fuel containers suitable for containing pressurized fuel and suitable for directly fueling the one or more locomotives. The improved fuel tender may be powered by the locomotives to increase tractive effort, and the fuel containers may be separately fillable and separately removable from the fuel tender.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Paul NICHINI, Ross Rowland
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Patent number: 8136454Abstract: Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage means. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly. Many locomotive or train configurations involving battery-powered or battery-toting locomotive(s) may be implemented.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Norfolk Southern CorporationInventors: Gibson V Barbee, Gerhard A Thelen, Robert S Runyon, Derick Vander Klippe
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Publication number: 20120066154Abstract: A wind-powered system and method provides for simultaneous electrical generation and transportation of persons or cargo. A set of cables are strung between a plurality of rigid, upright supports, and a transportation vessel including one or more sails rides along the cables through wind power. The vessel is coupled to the cables through one or more motor-generator units, each motor-generator units being operative to generate electricity as the vessel is pushed by the wind or power the vessel in the absence of wind.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventor: Richard H. Harrington
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Patent number: 8006627Abstract: A cooling system for a hydrogen hybrid locomotive having a set of electric traction motors and a hydrogen fuel cell system for providing electric power for driving the traction motors includes a radiator for extracting heat from cooling fluid circulated through the hydrogen fuel cell system by a circulation system. The circulation system includes a bypass valve for bypassing a selected amount of the cooling fluid around the radiator and a radiator output valve for controlling an amount of the cooling fluid passed to the hydrogen fuel cell system from the radiator. A fan system provides air flow across the radiator. A control system selectively sets a position of the radiator output valve and a position of the bypass valve and selectively controls a speed of the fan, as required to control cooling of the hydrogen fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Arnold R. Miller, Kris S. Hess, Timothy L. Erickson, James L. Dippo
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Patent number: 8006626Abstract: A system is provided for cooling an energy storage system of a hybrid electric vehicle. The energy storage system includes at least one energy storage device. The system includes an inlet positioned on the outer surface of the vehicle above the platform. More particularly, the system includes a cooling fluid duct in flow communication with the inlet and the at least one energy storage device. Additionally, the system includes a blower powered by a respective motor and positioned within the to draw cooling fluid into the inlet and through the cooling fluid duct to pass the cooling fluid over or through the at least one energy storage device and into a common vented area of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, John D. Butine
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Patent number: 8001905Abstract: A model vehicle, such as a model electric train, includes a model pantograph. The operation of the pantograph is automated using a motor, drive train, and control circuit. An upper articulating portion of the pantograph is mounting to the model vehicle using a breakaway assembly. The upper articulating portion may also be coupled to a drive motor via an elastic coupling permitting elastic movement of the upper portion independently of the drive motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Lionel L.L.C.Inventors: Richard F. Webster, Steven R. Greening
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Patent number: 8001906Abstract: A system is provided for retrofitting an electrically propelled vehicle. The vehicle has an engine-driven generator, and at least a first traction motor and a second traction motor coupled to the generator. The system includes an energy storage device capable of being coupled to at least the first traction motor; and a control system operable to control a distribution of propulsive power between the first traction motor and the second traction motor. An associated method and a retrofit kit are provided, also.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Dean King, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Lembit Salasoo