Device for energy supply of trains
Device for energy supply of a train set consisting of at least one hybrid- or diesel-electric locomotive. The device comprises at least one gas driven electric power generator, driven by at least one engine or fuel cell which in turn are driven by gas from the at least one container or hydrogen storage facility, wherein the at least one electric power generator is connected to the locomotive electrical power supply networks. The device is arranged for supplying the train set with electrical current supply and/or idle current for a locomotive provided with or without automatic idle stop.
1. A stand-alone device for energy supply of a train set comprising at least one separate hybrid- or diesel-electric locomotive ( 10 ), the stand-alone device comprising:
at least one electric power generator ( 51 ) driven by at least one engine or fuel cell ( 53 ) which in turn are driven by gas, fuel gas or liquid fuel from at least one container or hydrogen storage facility ( 52 ),
the at least one electric power generator ( 51 ) being connected to an electrical supply system of the separate locomotive ( 10 ),
said device being arranged to supply the train set with at least one of electric train supply or idle current of a locomotive ( 10 ) provided with or without automatic engine idle stop, and positioned in or on a separate carriage ( 50 ) that is not self-propelled being pulled by the locomotive ( 10 ).
2. The device of claim 1 , comprising a battery bank ( 54 ) for capturing unused energy.
3. The device of claim 2 , comprising a battery charger ( 55 ) enabling charging of the battery bank ( 54 ) by external connection at stations.
4. The device of claim 2 , comprising a battery management system ( 56 ) to control the charging of and current drain from the battery bank ( 54 ).
5. The device of claim 2 , configured to charge the battery bank ( 54 ) using one or more of:
the at least one power generator ( 51 ),
external “shore” power at stations via the battery charger ( 55 ), or directly to the battery bank ( 54 ) as DC via an external charger or rectifier or a pre-charged battery bank,
surplus power generated by a main generator ( 12 ) via the battery charger ( 55 ),
braking energy from traction motors ( 15 ) of the locomotive ( 10 ), and
photovoltaic cells arranged on the device or carriages.
6. The device of claim 2 , wherein the battery bank ( 54 ) is arranged to drive an electrically powered motor driving a turbo compressor for main engine ( 11 ) in the locomotive ( 10 ) or an electrically powered compressor connected to the main engine ( 11 ) in the locomotive ( 10 ).
7. The device of claim 2 , wherein the battery bank ( 54 ) is arranged to provide charge air cooling for the main engine ( 11 ) in the locomotive ( 10 ).
8. The device of claim 2 , wherein one or more fuel or propellant containers is arranged in one or more separate units or carriages.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas for driving the at least one electric power generator ( 51 ) is a flammable gas or gas mixture.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electric power generator ( 51 ) is driven by at least one engine driven by pressure of a compressed gas or gas mixture.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the compressed gas is air and the container ( 52 ) is charged from external sources using renewable energy or by electric power generation from fuel cells, transforming hydrogen that has been generated from renewable energy sources.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electric power generator ( 51 ) is driven by at least one engine driven by liquid fuel or fuel gas.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one engine or fuel cell ( 53 ) comprises a heat cycle engine.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the engine ( 53 ) is a fuel gas driven combustion engine or a liquid fuel driven combustion engine with a power characteristic that is suitable for driving the electric power generator ( 51 ) at an optimum torque.
15. The device of claim 1 , being configured for use in combination with a conventional diesel driven generator carriage ( 30 ).
16. The device of claim 1 , comprising an electrolysis device for generating hydrogen by electrolysis of water to provide hydrogen gas for operation of the gas engine ( 53 ).
17. The device of claim 16 , being configured to supply oxygen gas formed by the electrolysis device to main engine ( 11 ) intake manifold of the locomotive ( 10 ).
18. The device of claim 1 , comprising at least one container filled with gas mixtures arranged to provide gas mixtures to the main engine ( 11 ) intake manifold.
19. The device of claim 1 , wherein the locomotive ( 10 ) includes a main engine ( 11 ) which can be driven by several types of fuel, comprising one or more containers for supplying the locomotive with alternative fuel.
20. The device of claim 1 , being configured for communication with a satellite-assisted power control arranged in the locomotive.
21. The device of claim 1 , wherein battery bank ( 54 ) is made interchangeable with another pre-charged battery bank.
22. The device of claim 1 , wherein the generator carriage ( 50 ) is provided with a water tank and a heat or pressure source to produce steam that can be injected with or without exhaust gas re-circulation in connection with main engine ( 11 ) of the locomotive ( 10 ).