Self-contained power source for railcars
Example embodiments relate to implementing self-contained power sources for railcars. A railcar may include an air turbine that comprises a generator. The air turbine converts mechanical energy received from air to electrical energy by way of the generator. In some implementations, the air turbine is selectably coupled to the air brake system of the railcar and can convert mechanical energy received from pressurized air of the air brake system. The railcar can further include a pneumatic valve and a controller that can cause the pneumatic valve to open when the air pressure of the air brake system is at or above a predetermined level. Opening the pneumatic valve provides pressurized air to the air turbine from the air brake system and/or an exhaust pipe. The air turbine is a Wells turbine or a ram air turbine in some examples.
1 . A railcar comprising:
an air turbine coupled to an air brake system of the railcar, wherein the air turbine comprises a generator, wherein the air turbine converts mechanical energy received from pressurized air of the air brake system to electrical energy by way of the generator;
an energy storage system electrically coupled to the generator;
a structure having at least one bogie, wherein the bogie comprises an axle; and
a motor coupled to the axle, wherein the motor uses electrical energy from the energy storage system to rotate the axle.
2 . The railcar of claim 1 , further comprising:
a pneumatic valve; and
a controller, wherein the controller is operable to carry out operations, the operations comprising:
causing the pneumatic valve to open when an air pressure of the air brake system is at or above a predetermined level.
3 . The railcar of claim 2 , wherein causing the pneumatic valve to open provides pressurized air to the air turbine from at least one of: the air brake system or an exhaust pipe.
4 . The railcar of claim 2 , further comprising a pressure monitor coupled to the air brake system, wherein the pressure monitor is configured to generate an electrical pressure signal corresponding to the air pressure in the air brake system, and wherein the controller receives the electrical pressure signal to control the pneumatic valve.
5 . The railcar of claim 1 , wherein the air turbine comprises a Wells turbine or a ram air turbine.
6 . The railcar of claim 1 , wherein a wind stream provided by motion of the railcar causes the air turbine to provide mechanical energy to the generator.
7 . The railcar of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage system comprises a battery.
8 . The railcar of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rectifier/regulator electrically coupled to the generator, wherein the rectifier/regulator is configured to convert an alternating current (AC) signal from the generator to a direct current (DC) voltage.
9 . The railcar of claim 8 , further comprising:
at least one solar panel, wherein the at least one solar panel is electrically coupled to the rectifier/regulator.
10 . The railcar of claim 8 , wherein the rectifier/regulator is further configured to regulate the direct current (DC) voltage to a level suitable for charging the energy storage system.
11 . The railcar of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of: a 5 volt USB power connector jack or a 12 volt DC power connector jack, electrically coupled to the energy storage system.
12 . A bidirectional power source, comprising:
an air turbine selectably coupled to an air brake system of a railcar, wherein the air turbine comprises a generator, wherein the air turbine converts mechanical energy received from pressurized air of the air brake system to electrical energy by way of the generator; and
an energy storage system, wherein the energy storage system is electrically coupled to the generator, wherein the bidirectional power source is removably attachable to the railcar.
13 . The bidirectional power source of claim 12 , wherein the railcar is a freight car.
14 . The bidirectional power source of claim 13 , wherein the bidirectional power source is removably attachable to the railcar using at least one magnet.
15 . The bidirectional power source of claim 12 , wherein the energy storage system comprises a battery.
16 . The bidirectional power source of claim 12 , further comprising:
a pneumatic valve; and
a controller, wherein the controller is operable to carry out operations, the operations comprising:
causing the pneumatic valve to open when an air pressure of the air brake system is at or above a predetermined level.
17 . The bidirectional power source of claim 16 , wherein causing the pneumatic valve to open provides pressurized air to the air turbine from at least one of: the air brake system or an exhaust pipe.
18 . A method for charging an energy storage system coupled to a railcar, the method comprising:
causing, by a controller, a pneumatic valve to open when an air pressure of an air brake system of the railcar is at or above a predetermined level, wherein causing the pneumatic valve to open provides pressurized air to an air turbine from at least one of the air brake system or an exhaust pipe of the air brake system of the railcar, wherein the air turbine is coupled to the railcar and comprises a generator that converts mechanical energy from the pressurized air to electrical energy for charging the energy storage system.