Auxiliary Power Control for Multi-Source Locomotive Idle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auxiliary power units (APUs) for locomotives consume fuel and produce emissions, and maintaining multiple engines increases operational costs and environmental impact, while idling to maintain oil and water temperatures is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary power controller that dynamically manages the transfer of power from multiple sources, including APU batteries, solar panels, and wayside power units, to various power-consuming devices, such as water and oil pumps, heaters, and electrical components, optimizing energy use and reducing reliance on diesel engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional auxiliary power units (APUs) are used to charge the starting battery and maintain oil and water temperatures, then the battery charging and temperature maintenance functions are achieved, but fuel consumption increases and emissions are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The main engine serves multiple functions: it provides propulsion power and simultaneously functions as an auxiliary power source for charging the starting battery and maintaining oil and water temperatures. This eliminates the need for a separate APU engine, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Power
If an APU is added to the locomotive to provide auxiliary power, then power supply capability is improved, but the number of engines increases requiring additional maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The main engine is designed to perform both propulsion and auxiliary power functions. By integrating the auxiliary power capability into the existing main engine system, the locomotive achieves enhanced power supply capability without adding a separate APU engine, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
3Temperature
If idling is used to maintain oil and water temperatures, then temperature maintenance is achieved, but fuel is consumed increasing cost and emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature maintenance function is extracted from the continuous idling operation and integrated into the main engine's operational cycles. The main engine provides temperature maintenance during normal operation without requiring continuous idling, thereby achieving the same thermal maintenance effect with significantly reduced fuel consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by an auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power input sources from a plurality of power input sources. The method also includes determining, by the auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power consuming devices from a plurality of power consuming devices. The method further includes managing, by the auxiliary power controller, transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices.