Method and system for implementing drive and braking systems on a rail vehicle

Abstract

Example embodiments relate to implementing electromechanical drive systems and auxiliary braking systems on freight cars and other railcars. Such power systems can include electric motors and power sources that can be installed on new or existing non-locomotive railcars to supplement and / or replace energy normally generated by one or more locomotives in a trainset. Some power systems also include regenerative braking systems that can supplement existing braking systems and allow energy to be captured and stored locally in batteries onboard the railcars for subsequent use by the drivetrain. A computing system can use sensor data from onboard sensors, route data, weather data, and / or other sources of information to determine and implement control strategies that utilize the drive system and auxiliary braking in a manner that reduces the power required by the locomotives and / or stresses affecting the couplers between the railcars in the train.

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