Train Patents (Class 290/3)
  • Patent number: 11777372
    Abstract: Provided is a renewable power generating system including a motor and one or more generators. Each of the motor and the generators comprises a front extended shaft and a rear extended shaft, a first flywheel is installed at the end of the rear extended shaft, and a second flywheel is installed at the end of the front extended shaft. Also, a third flywheel is detachably connected to the second flywheel, and a turbine installed on the third flywheel, and the turbine comprises multiple arms. The first flywheel, the second flywheel and the third flywheel rotates together when the motor rotates, and the system can produce an electric power when rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: K-TECHNOLOGY USA, INC.
    Inventors: Ki Il Kim, Young Kim, Paul Kim, Sarah Duncanson
  • Patent number: 11359557
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine includes receiving a request for a desired output from the internal combustion engine, receiving sensor information indicative of at least an engine speed or a pressure of gas provided to the internal combustion engine, and setting a changeable limit associated with a supply of air and fuel to the internal combustion engine. The method also includes, based at least in part on the received sensor information, changing the changeable limit to define a changed limit and reducing an output of the internal combustion engine based on the changed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Jayasankaran, Joshua T. Annin, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, Alex M. Kubiak, Kamalakannan Thammireddi Vajram
  • Patent number: 11075539
    Abstract: An alternator control device includes a battery state determination unit determining whether the state of a battery is a predetermined normal state, a vehicle speed determination unit determining whether the speed of a vehicle is within a predetermined low speed range, a position determination unit determining whether the position of the vehicle meets a predetermined positional condition, and an output voltage instruction unit gives an instruction relating to the output voltage of the alternator. The output voltage instruction unit gives an instruction to increase the output voltage of the alternator to a voltage that is greater than a reference voltage, if it is determined that the state of the battery is not the predetermined normal state, if it is determined that the speed of the vehicle is within the predetermined low speed range, and if it is determined that the position of the vehicle meets the positional condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kontani
  • Patent number: 11041479
    Abstract: Wind electric generator includes vertical posts attached to support surface, a closed loop rail above support surface, and coupled to vertical posts; sequentially interconnected cars coupled to rail by rollers; frame of each car coupled to first and second vertically-oriented wings; first wing mounted above rail; second wing mounted under rail; turning mechanism coupled to one wing for changing angular orientation relative to wind direction; generator mounted on each frame, having a shaft with a wheel, the wheel engaged to the rail; second rail track below the rail; additional sequentially interconnected cars on second rail track and hingedly coupled with lower end of second wing; and wherein turning mechanism is a flap generating aerodynamic force, coupled to first wing using tail beams; a drive for changing angular position of flap; first and second wings are rigidly coupled using vertical rod; and second wings hingedly coupled to cars on second rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Vyacheslav Nikolaevich Voytenko
  • Patent number: 10865687
    Abstract: An exhaust gas energy recovery device includes a power generation device driven by a turbine configured to rotate by an exhaust gas, a switching element connected to the power generation device, a first terminal connected to the power generation device via the switching element and for being connected to a first power storage device, and a second terminal connected to the power generation device and for being connected to a second power storage device, in which a terminal voltage of the first power storage device is lower than a terminal voltage of the second power storage device, and the switching element switches a destination to be charged by the power generation device to either the first power storage device or the second power storage device on the basis of magnitude of a direct current voltage output from the power generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Sasaki, Takashi Yoshida, Tatsumi Inomata, Kuniaki Iizuka, Takuya Ozasa, Ryosuke Yumoto
  • Patent number: 10689961
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: TYPHON TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Coli, Eldon Schelske
  • Patent number: 10648312
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TYPHON TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Coli, Eldon Schelske
  • Patent number: 10541633
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing produced gas venting from a hydrocarbon well, in which the engine driving the pump burns produced gas from the well, the engine made to increase its throttle to burn more gas in response to an increased gas pressure indicator, and an external load such as a generator directed to increase the load on the engine and maintain the engine operating within a desired revolutions-per-minute range to avoid redline condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Husky Oil Operations Limited
    Inventor: Skyler Jonathan Hudson
  • Patent number: 10263554
    Abstract: A power supply device for an internal combustion engine, using a generator driven by an internal combustion engine as a power source and supplying power to a first load that needs to be constantly driven to cause the internal combustion engine to operate and a second load that is permitted not to drive during startup of the engine, wherein a first generation coil for driving the first load and a second generation coil for driving the second load are provided to be magnetically-coupled tightly in the generator, and voltage supplied to a load is boosted to a higher voltage value than conventionally achieved by performing chopper control of an energizing current of the first generation coil and an energizing current of the second generation coil while preventing energization from the second generation coil to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE ELECTRIC DRIVES JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9300233
    Abstract: A vehicle including an AC rotating electric machine, an inverter, and an electronic control unit is provided. When an overcurrent abnormality occurs, i.e., phase current of a motor-generator exceeds a permissible value, in a high rotational speed region, the electronic control unit performs control (upshift control) for shifting up an automatic transmission provided between the motor-generator and driving wheels, or control (neutral control) for bringing the transmission into a released state, so as to reduce the rotational speed of the motor-generator. If phase current is detected even when an all-gate turn-off command is generated to the inverter while the rotational speed of the motor-generator is reduced to be within a low rotational speed region under the upshift control or neutral control, the electronic control unit determines that a short-circuit fault occurs in the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Uchida
  • Patent number: 9048765
    Abstract: An electric power generation system including an engine, an electrical generator, and a system controller. The engine is configured to produce mechanical power and includes an engine controller and a turbocharger for raising air pressure to a boost pressure. The turbocharger is controlled by the engine controller during steady state operation of the system. The electrical generator is mechanically connected to the engine and converts mechanical power into electrical power. The system controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an electrical load on the generator. During a transient condition during which the electrical load increases, the system controller is configured to directly control the turbocharger in order to change the configuration of the turbocharger in order to increase boost pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Innovus Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20150035278
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit. In one embodiment, an auxiliary power unit comprises a plurality of independent modules configured to be installed in respective different locations within a rail vehicle or other vehicle. Each module of the plurality of independent modules is configured to carry out one or more respective functions of the auxiliary power unit for providing auxiliary power in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Hafiz Hassan EISA, Mike MELTSER, Alessandro Simoes CORREA
  • Patent number: 8872368
    Abstract: Provided is a power generating system that includes at least one power generator connected to a first rotating shaft having at least one of a first gear, a first pulley, a first crankshaft, or a first eccentric shaft, the first rotating shaft connected to a second rotating shaft of at least one of a moving object or a rotating machine producing wasting mechanical energy and having at least one rotating wheel, the second rotating shaft having a second gear, a second pulley, a second crankshaft, or a second eccentric shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: K-Technology USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Il Kim, Young Kim, Sarah Duncanson
  • Publication number: 20140145438
    Abstract: A power supply system is capable of generating electric power by building a roller coaster or the like dedicated for power generation on which a power generator is mounted, providing the roller coaster or the like with positional energy, and converting the given positional energy into kinetic energy, followed by converting the kinetic energy into electric energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: FOTORADA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Numazawa
  • Publication number: 20130341934
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid power generating system for hydraulic power, thermal power (nuclear power) turbines, geothermal, an engine room of a ship, wind power, solar power, a train (high-speed underground electric railway). The system of the present invention for existing hydraulic power, thermal power (nuclear power) turbines, geothermal, an engine room of a ship, wind power, solar power, a train (high-speed underground electric railway), a factory or the like is installed in a space for a power generator in sites of primary, secondary, tertiary substations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Eiji Kawanishi
  • Publication number: 20130341920
    Abstract: System to generate electrical energy by magnetic levitation, using inertia propulsion force exerted by the railway carriages or similar, as used in entertaining games, characterized because system is formed with some alternators, which generate the current through the force of the rotational movement of the shafts connected to the transmission system of each of the wheels of the carriages, the alternators generates current, which is driven through power lines to a transformer provided with ground connections, through charcoal located at the wheels as a safety; generated current to transformer is driven by a high voltage line to a pantograph which allows to deliver the generated current to high voltage cables or stored in batteries for further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Carlos Antonio CarreƱo Vargas
  • Publication number: 20130270822
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Brauer, Carsten Probol
  • Publication number: 20130257047
    Abstract: This is a system of kinetic power generating stations that produce renewable and clean energy from moving railcars. The amount of green energy produced will be dependent on inertia, weight, momentum, and speed of train. The system has a second purpose of braking and reducing the trains speed by using the actuator pads necessary for harnessing the kinetic energy formed by the train. This will reduce the cost of fuel. By utilizing a plurality of opposing stations along the railway, braking of the train can be done more safely. Using computers and sensors, the actuator pads can control how much ā€œdragā€ is necessary to slow the train down while collecting the energy formed by the moving train. The generators are spun by passing actuators attached to railcars at specific intervals. Opposing braking mechanisms will increase drag pressure by being engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Stephan V. Kroecker
  • Patent number: 8541894
    Abstract: An electrical generator powered by the rotation of a central shaft. A gear train rotates with respect to the central shaft and is in operable connection to a generator for producing electrical energy. The shaft can be rotated by falling weights connected to longitudinal arms. Alternatively, a motor can be used to rotate a relatively large wheel in operable connection with the series of gears or gear train. Additionally, the shaft can be rotated by a renewable energy source, such as wind or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Jerry Blevins
  • Patent number: 8244419
    Abstract: A marine power system comprises a motor for providing propulsion. It also comprises an energy storage unit (ESU) for storing and supplying energy to the motor. A prime power system is connected to the ESU and motor for selectively providing energy to these subsystems through a bus. The motor selectively receives energy from the prime power system and the ESU and can supply regenerative braking energy to the bus. The system can also accommodate multiple generator sets providing system power. The ESU can also provide starting power for the prime power system. Alternately, the prime power system drives a mechanical power system output shaft connected to the motor, and the marine system comprises an alternator driven by the prime power system output shaft. The ESU can transmit energy to the alternator. The prime power system can be located on a tugboat displacing a barge carrying the energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mi-Jack Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Wegner-Donnelly, John David Watson
  • Publication number: 20120085611
    Abstract: An energy recovery system including a device that produces a magnetic field adapted for mounting to a vehicle and a stationary conductor adapted for placing in or adjacent the path of the vehicle wherein the magnetic field induces current to flow through the conductor when the vehicle moves past the conductor. The vehicle may be an automobile, a truck, a train, or other type of vehicle. When used in conjunction with a train, the energy recovery system may be designed to recover energy from non-locomotive train cars in addition to, or in lieu of, the train locomotive. Kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost to heat energy through the application of brakes to the non-locomotive cars can thereby be recovered and re-used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ENERGY RECOVERY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Imad Mahawili
  • Patent number: 7944183
    Abstract: An output voltage controller for an AC vehicle generator is proposed. The output voltage controller can easily suppress variation in rectified output voltage due to a switching surge without using a slope generation circuit in a voltage adjustment circuit. An excitation circuit that excites a field coil 13 includes a circulation element 31, a semiconductor switch element 33, an inductor 35, and transient voltage absorption means 40. The circulation element 31 is connected in parallel to the field coil 13. The semiconductor switch element 33 is connected in series with the field coil 13 and turned on and off by a voltage adjustment circuit 60. The inductor 35 is connected in series with the field coil 13 and the semiconductor switch element 33. The transient voltage absorption means 40 absorbs a transient voltage generated in the inductor 35 in association with the switching of the semiconductor switch element 33 between ON and OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7728447
    Abstract: An assembly includes a gearbox for a gas turbine having a geartrain, and at least one starter/generator coupled mechanically to the gearbox. The starter/generator includes a generator module with a first casing, a generator housed in the first casing, and a first shaft constrained to rotate with the rotor of the generator, projecting from the first casing, and carrying a first mechanical coupling member; an exciter module, including a second casing, an exciter housed in the second casing, and a second shaft distinct from the first shaft, constrained to rotate with the rotor of the exciter, projecting from the second casing, and carrying a second mechanical coupling member; and an electrical connection including a rectifier and at least one connector for connecting the secondary circuit of the exciter to the primary circuit of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hispano Suiza
    Inventors: Samuel Raymond Germain Becquerelle, Jean Pierre Galivel
  • Patent number: 7715958
    Abstract: An energy management system is provided for use with one of a plurality of hybrid energy diesel electric vehicles. The energy management system includes a position identification device to provide position information of one the plurality of vehicles at incremental positions along one of a plurality of routes. More particularly, the energy management system includes a database to store historical data of a traction and/or auxiliary energy demand for each vehicle at incremental positions along each route, and an energy management processor coupled to the position identification device and the database. The energy management system retrieves historical data of each vehicle at incremental positions along each route to estimate an anticipated traction and/or auxiliary energy demand of the one of a plurality of vehicle at each incremental position along one of a plurality of routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Publication number: 20100032946
    Abstract: A motion induced generator is mounted to a vehicle or conveyance to harness the oscillatory motion generated during travel of the vehicle or conveyance, and may be coupled to at least one device or system, such as an external rail car lighting system, a global positioning device, a diagnostic device, or a combination thereof. Once the motion of the vehicle is harnessed and translated into usable and/or storable energy, the current or voltage is transmitted directly to the units for immediate consumption or for storage in a battery, capacitor, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Richard D. Begley, Frank Adkins, Donald Warren Osborne, Anthony Szwilski
  • Publication number: 20090032350
    Abstract: A method and system of using one or more railcar linear electric generators to decelerate a vehicle such as a train consist. In one embodiment, the one of more electric generators are configured to capture deceleration energy and supply the energy to one or more power grid connections. The one of more railcar electric generators may also operate as motors to assist propelling a train consist. Optional energy storage may also be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Sandor Wayne Shapery
  • Publication number: 20080309084
    Abstract: In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine including a field winding being coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, a battery for selectively providing a starting current during a starting mode of the electrical power system, and an inverter receiving the starting current for driving the synchronous machine and generating an inverter current, a circuit and method for reducing a voltage being developed across the field winding is described. The circuit includes a current conditioner for conditioning the inverter current and a parallel circuit interposed between the inverter and the current conditioner comprising a first branch including a resistance and a second branch including the field winding of the synchronous machine so that the parallel circuit is isolated from a voltage developed across the current conditioner during cranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Mohan Murugesan, Rajeev Verma, Charles Earl Cooper, Bret Dwayne Worden
  • Publication number: 20080296970
    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
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: RAILPOWER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Frank Donnelly, Andrew Tarnow, Bruce Wolff, John Watson
  • Publication number: 20080238098
    Abstract: A gas-turbine starter/generator comprises: a generator module comprising a first casing, a generator housed in the first casing, and a first shaft constrained to rotate with the rotor of the generator, projecting from the first casing, and carrying a first mechanical coupling member; an exciter module, comprising a second casing, an exciter housed in the second casing, and a second shaft distinct from the first shaft, constrained to rotate with the rotor of the exciter, projecting from the second casing, and carrying a second mechanical coupling member; and an electrical connection comprising a rectifier and at least one connector for connecting the secondary circuit of the exciter to the primary circuit of the generator. The mechanical coupling members are coupled to a common gearwheel or to respective different gearwheels of a gearbox of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: HISPANO - SUIZA
    Inventors: Samuel Raymond Germain BECQUERELLE, Jean-Pierre Galivel
  • Publication number: 20080157526
    Abstract: A power generation assembly for use in generating electrical power from air or water currents includes a tiered rail system forming elongated loops, a vane assembly having a frame and at least one vain, and car assemblies sidably mounted to each rail, including linkage portions coupled to the frame of the vane assembly and a power-take-off arrangement includes an element that is operatively coupled to the car assembly and a drive wheel coupled to a generator and configured to take power off the moving car assembly by the drive wheels being rotated by the passing power-take-off element or a power-take-off system using a cable and clamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Fred E. Davison, Gary Davison
  • Publication number: 20080148993
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a prime mover system, a driving system, an energy storage system, a regenerative braking system, and a control system usable to control operation of the prime mover, driving, energy storage, and regenerative braking systems. The control system receives inputs of geographic location, speed, and terrain features, and manages energy discharge and charge operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Tom Mack
  • Patent number: 7239031
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating power from over the road vehicular traffic and moving trains are disclosed. The apparatus include on or more hydraulic actuators, each of which has a piston at least partially slidably mounted in a fluid cavity contained therein. When a passing vehicle or train car engages the actuator, the weight of the vehicle pushes the piston into the fluid cavity and causes fluid to flow from the fluid cavity toward a turbine or other power conversion means. The flow causes the turbine to rotate, thereby producing useable energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Tod A. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 7148581
    Abstract: An electrical power generation system comprises a variable capacitor and a power source. The electrical power generation system is configured to generate electric power via movements of the rail. The power source is used in the form of a generator to prime the variable capacitor that effectively multiplies the priming energy of the power source by extracting energy from the passing vehicle. By alternately priming the variable capacitor using charge from the power source and discharging it at a later time in a cyclic manner to change the capacitance, a significantly large amount of electrical energy is produced due to change in capacitance than from the power source itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Erik Hershey, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II, Charles Erklin Seeley, David Michael Davenport, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Thomas Paul Feist
  • Patent number: 7145257
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating power from over the road vehicular traffic and moving trains are disclosed. The apparatus include on or more hydraulic actuators, each of which has a piston at least partially slidably mounted in a fluid cavity contained therein. When a passing vehicle or train car engages the actuator, the weight of the vehicle pushes the piston into the fluid cavity and causes fluid to flow from the fluid cavity toward a turbine or other power conversion means. The flow causes the turbine to rotate, thereby producing useable energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Tod A. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 7042108
    Abstract: A backup power system is connected in parallel to a load which is powered via a power line connecting that load to a main power source, such as a utility. The backup system includes a generator/condenser unit that is coupled to a flywheel unit to maintain the flywheel of that flywheel unit rotating at a preset speed during normal power system operation and is also connected to a thermal engine to supply power to the load via the generator/condenser unit when there is an interruption of power from the main power source. A shaft coupling unit slidably couples the generator/condenser unit to the flywheel unit. The shaft coupling unit includes a slip plate. Part of the shaft coupling unit rotates in accordance with the operation of the generator/condenser unit, while with the slip plate rotates in accordance with the flywheel of the flywheel unit. Rotation of the generator/condenser unit is monitored by a sensor and rotation of the flywheel is also monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Otto Farkas
  • Patent number: 6897576
    Abstract: A lightweight regenerative brake having a large braking force is provided. A regenerative brake 1 comprises a brake disc (10) and a pair of stators (20) to perform regenerative braking. This regenerative brake (1) reduces the heat generated in the brake disc (10), because a part of the kinetic energy of a railway car is regenerated by generation of electricity in a tertiary circuit of the power source side when the brake is applied, and consequently the amount of energy converted into heat energy is decreased. Compared to a conventional regenerative brake, this regenerative brake (1) enables the disc (10) to be made thinner and dispenses with a cooling device such as a fan. Accordingly, a small-sizes and lightweight brake having a large braking force can be constituted using this regenerative brake (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Central Japan Railway Company
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Tsutomu Saito, Kenji Sato, Shigeyuki Kato
  • Publication number: 20040222639
    Abstract: A power train controller can operate in either motoring or braking modes. Its prime mover accepts a limited proportion of braking power and the remainder of the braking power is dissipated in an energy dump. A control system is arranged to maintain the voltage bus of the power train at a constant value throughout both modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: SWITCHED RELUCTANCE DRIVES LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael James Turner, Paul Andrew Sykes
  • Patent number: 6615118
    Abstract: An energy management system for use with off-highway vehicles, including locomotives, that traverse a known course. A processor determines power storage and transfer parameters, including data indicative of present and future track profile information. The energy management system controls the storage and regeneration of electrical energy. A hybrid energy locomotive system has an energy storage and regeneration system. In one form, the system can be retrofitted into existing locomotives or installed as original equipment. The energy storage and regeneration system captures dynamic braking energy, excess motor energy, and or externally supplied energy. The captured energy is stored in an energy storage system such as a battery, a flywheel system, or a capacitor system. The energy storage and regeneration system can be located in a separate energy tender vehicle. The separate energy tender vehicle is optionally equipped with traction motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Publication number: 20030057704
    Abstract: A mobile power generation system is provided. The system includes a main trailer having an engine and an electric generator turned by the engine, an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the engine, an exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise, and an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Allen Baten, Kenneth Robert Austin
  • Publication number: 20010020788
    Abstract: A drive device comprising at least one drive unit having two mutually spaced apart pressing bodies. On the pressing bodies mutual facing pressing faces are provided diverging in a drive direction and having between them a stroke unit engaging the pressing faces of both pressing bodies. Furthermore drive means are present by means of which a drawing together of the pressing bodies may be caused and, as a result of this a displacement of the stroke unit in the drive direction along the pressing faces for the purpose of producing a drive movement able to be externally employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Martin Godel, Markus Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6220175
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of mounting a standard size power generating unit (30) to any one of several different sized railroad cars utilizes different sized interface blocks (28) to mate the unit to the bearing adapter blocks (14) of the cars. The axle (32) of the car includes a projection (18) extending from an end (16) thereof and the power generating unit (30) includes a frame (50) and a rotor arranged for rotation in the frame for generating the power. A drive shaft (74) is attached to the rotor and includes a follower (78) for engaging the projection (18) so that when the axle is rotated about the axis (44), the projection engages the follower and thereby rotates the rotor. The interface block (28) is disposed between the frame (50) and the bearing adapter block (14), a first surface (54) of the interface block being attached to the bearing adapter block (14) and the frame (50) being attached to a second surface (56) of the interface block opposite the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Foster Folk, Donald James Good
  • Patent number: 6049138
    Abstract: An electrical power device (30) for mounting on a vehicle includes a drive coupling (44, 100, 120) for rotationally coupling the rotor (46) of the power device to the axle and wheel assembly (12) of the vehicle. The drive coupling includes a drive shaft (60, 122) having a portion extending outwardly into proximity with a projection (48) on the vehicle axle. A crank arm (74, 128) extends from the drive shaft for engaging the projection so that when the axle is rotated, the projection engages the crank arm and thereby rotates the drive shaft of the power device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Foster Folk
  • Patent number: 5992950
    Abstract: A controlled stop system for an AC electric locomotive includes a braking effort control circuit responsive to a braking command regulating braking effort produced by AC traction motors coupled in driving relationship to wheels of the locomotive. The control circuit is responsive to a vehicle speed signal for adjusting motor operation to maintain braking effort to about zero speed. A filter processes the speed signal before application to the braking effort control circuit such that the control circuit operates as a speed regulator at zero speed to maintain the vehicle in a stopped condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden
  • Patent number: 5915306
    Abstract: A mounting assembly secures a generator and facilitates attachment to a railroad railcar on the end of the railcar axle. The generator produces electricity from the axle of a railroad railcar while it is traveling on a railroad track. A generator is mounted with a generator bracket and a backing plate to an existing bearing adapter on the railcar. A drive hub engages axle bolts on the railcar axle. As the railcar axle turns, the drive hub turns and with the drive hub connected to a generator the generator subsequently rotates to supply electricity to the railcar. Different types of generators can be attached with the mounting assembly to the railcar. The mounting assembly allows generators to be mounted without modification to the existing railcar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: MagneTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Langhorst, Donald E. Merz, Paul F. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5828135
    Abstract: An electrical generator for mounting on a railroad car axle end which utilizes the rotation of the axle to generate electricity. The generator includes a housing assembly bolted to the end of a railroad car axle, preferably using the bolt holes that are present on conventional axle ends. The housing includes a tubular rim along which is mounted a plurality of spaced permanent magnets. A stator fastened to a stationary part of the car, typically the outer race of the axle bearing, mounts a plurality of coils in a circular array, closely spaced to the magnets. Electricity is generated whenever the car axle is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: John Barrett
  • Patent number: 5775229
    Abstract: Invention relates to an on-board electrical generator system that may be retrofitted to existing railroad vehicles, such as freight cars, box cars, and the like, where rotation of the vehicle's axle powers the system. A preferred use thereof is to charge the battery for the electrically controlled brakes on the vehicle. Such vehicles typically include a chassis, having plural axles mounted thereon, and a journal box or adaptor block having a projection generally aligned parallel with the axles. Each axle contains a pair of wheels, which are inwardly mounted from the respective axle ends and rotatable with the axle. The generator includes a rotor fixed for rotative movement relative to a stationary stator, whereby such relative movement causes electric currents to be generated in the stator containing the generator in a non-rotatable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Foster Folk, Frank Mario Mastrog
  • Patent number: 5629567
    Abstract: A speed control system for an AC electric locomotive of the type having a plurality of wheel-axle sets with each wheel-axle set being coupled to an independently controllable AC electric traction motor and each motor having a corresponding speed sensor, each speed sensor providing a pair of signals which are resolvable to determine the speed and direction of rotation of the associated motor rotor, wherein the control system is arranged for maintaining torque control during failure of one of the signals from an associated speed sensor. The system detects the presence of each of the pair of signals from each speed sensor and responds to detection of only one of the pair of signals from one of the speed sensors for setting motor speed in response to the detected one of the signals. Direction is then determined by using signals from another of the speed sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith K. Kumar
  • Patent number: 5392741
    Abstract: A water cooling system for a locomotive engine that enables the engine to operate at a maximum power level that generates a maximum permissible engine cooling water temperature corresponding to a particular ambient air temperature. The water cooling system can be either an open-loop or a closed-loop controlled system. In the open-loop control system, an ambient air temperature sensor measures the ambient air temperature. When the ambient air temperature exceeds a predetermined value, a signal from the temperature sensor to a signal processor automatically causes the engine power to derate in accordance with the temperature such that the heat generated by the engine maintains the water temperature of the cooling water constant. An ambient pressure sensor senses ambient pressure such that a correction factor is supplied to correct for cooling losses at higher altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Teoman Uzkan
  • Patent number: 5065581
    Abstract: A power plant and method of production of synchronous electric power utilizes diesel railroad locomotives which, when connected in parallel and when suitably governed and connected, can provide utility grade electrical power during periods of peak electrical demand while still supplementing the railroad fleet during the remainder of the year. The dual use of railroad locomotives provides substantial economic benefits to both rail carriers and electrical utilities with complimentary seasonal peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Energy Resources & Logistics, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 4900944
    Abstract: A booster unit for diesel electric locomotive having a frame-mounted diesel engine, a main traction generator and a series of traction motors connected to said generators is disclosed. It is comprised of a gas turbine mounted on the frame adjacent to the diesel engine, a high speed alternator connected directly with the turbine and a series of rectifiers connected at the output of the high speed alternator. The alternator and rectifiers form a high speed electric generator. A load control means connected at the output of the alternator is provided for controlling the output power thereof. The high speed generator is connected in parallel with the main traction generator such that the traction motors can be supplied with extra electrical power when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Frank Donnelly