Consist power system having onboard renewable energy devices

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a consist power system for a consist having a locomotive. The consist power system may include an engine located onboard the locomotive, and a generator driven by the engine to produce a main supply of electric power. The consist power system may also include a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power, and a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a second auxiliary supply of electric power. The consist power system may also include a traction motor configured to receive the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to propel the locomotive. The consist power system may further include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the consist, and a controller in communication with the sensor, the wind turbine, and the solar panel. The controller may be configured to selectively control at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel based on the signal from the sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A consist power system for a consist having a locomotive, comprising:
 an engine located onboard the locomotive;   a generator driven by the engine to produce a main supply of electric power;   a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power;   a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a second auxiliary supply of electric power;   a traction motor configured to receive the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to propel the locomotive;   a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the consist; and   a controller in communication with the sensor, the wind turbine, and the solar panel, the controller being configured to selectively control at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel based on the signal from the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The consist power system of  claim 1 , further including an energy storage system in communication with the wind turbine, the solar panel, and the traction motor, the energy storage system being configured to:
 receive the first and second auxiliary supplies of power from the wind turbine and the solar panel;   store the first and second auxiliary supplies of power; and   transfer the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to at least one of the traction motor, an auxiliary load located on the consist, and a motor associated with at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel.   
     
     
         3 . The consist power system of  claim 1 , wherein the wind turbine is a vertical-axis wind turbine. 
     
     
         4 . The consist power system of  claim 1 , wherein the wind turbine is at least partially disposed within an enclosure mounted to an exterior of a body of the locomotive. 
     
     
         5 . The consist power system of  claim 4 , wherein the wind turbine is movable between a first position inside of the enclosure and a second position extending vertically above the enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The consist power system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is movable between a first position inside of a body of the locomotive and a second position extending vertically above the body. 
     
     
         7 . The consist power system of  claim 6 , wherein the solar panel is configured to unfold to increase a surface area of its body when moving to the second position. 
     
     
         8 . The consist power system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wind turbine is a first wind turbine; and   the power system further includes a second wind turbine located within an interior of a body of the locomotive and configured to produce a third auxiliary supply of electric power.   
     
     
         9 . The consist power system of  claim 8 , wherein the second wind turbine is a horizontal axis wind turbine. 
     
     
         10 . The consist power system of  claim 8 , further including a vent located on at least one side of the body of the locomotive, the vent being configured to move between an open position and a closed position to allow and block air flowing through the second wind turbine. 
     
     
         11 . The consist power system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the solar panel is a first solar panel; and   the power system further includes a second solar panel located on an exterior of a body of the locomotive and configured to produce a third auxiliary supply of electric power.   
     
     
         12 . The consist power system of  claim 11 , further including a cooling device located between the second solar panel and the exterior of the body of the locomotive. 
     
     
         13 . A method of providing power to a consist having a locomotive, comprising:
 generating a main supply of electric power with a generator driven by an engine located onboard the locomotive;   generating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive;   generating a second auxiliary supply of electric power with a solar panel located onboard the locomotive;   selectively directing the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of electric power to a traction motor to propel the locomotive;   determining a speed of the consist; and   selectively controlling at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel based on the speed of the consist.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further including moving the wind turbine from a first position inside a body of the locomotive to a second position above the body when the speed of the consist is below a threshold value. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further including moving the solar panel from a first position inside a body of the locomotive to a second position above the body when the speed of the consist is below a threshold value. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including unfolding the solar panel from a closed position to an open position when the speed of the consist is below the threshold value. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further including cooling the solar panel to maintain a desired operating temperature. 
     
     
         18 . A consist power system for a consist having a locomotive, comprising:
 an engine located onboard the locomotive;   a generator driven by the engine to produce a main supply of electric power;   a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power;   a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a second auxiliary supply of electric power;   a traction motor configured to receive the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to propel the locomotive;   a vent located on at least one side of a body of the locomotive; and   a controller being configured to selectively control the vent in response to a braking command.   
     
     
         19 . The consist power system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to move the vent between an open position and a closed position to allow and block air flowing through the wind turbine. 
     
     
         20 . A method of providing power to a consist having a locomotive, comprising:
 generating a main supply of electric power with a generator driven by an engine located onboard the locomotive;   generating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive;   generating a second auxiliary supply of electric power with a solar panel located onboard the locomotive;   selectively directing the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of electric power to a traction motor to propel the locomotive;   receiving a braking command indicating that the consist is braking; and   selectively opening a vent of a body of the locomotive based on the braking command.