Patent ID: 7444944
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: B60L,Y02A,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A hybrid power locomotive system in a unitary locomotive, the locomotive having a plurality of electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to respective ones of a plurality of wheel-axle sets of the locomotive, the locomotive system comprising: a plurality of combustion engines and a corresponding plurality of electric power generators each coupled to be driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of combustion engines, all of the engines and generators being fixed in the unitary locomotive; at least one traction motor drive connected for controlling power to the electric traction motors of the unitary locomotive; an electric power storage device coupled to supply electric traction motor power to the traction motor drive; an electric power controller arranged for coupling electric power from the power generators to the electric power storage device, the power controller sensing the available energy in the power storage device and the power demand from the traction drives for activating selected ones of the plurality of combustion engines for charging the power storage device, the traction motors being powered only through the power storage device.