Power management system for train

Abstract

A power management system for managing power supply to a train having a locomotive with a primary power source for driving at least one railcar is provided. The power management system includes a Train Location Detecting System (TLDS) installed on the train to detect a location of the train, a storage battery on board the locomotive, a battery charging unit for charging the storage battery, and an automated power switching system for supplying power to the train. The storage battery is adapted to supply power to at least one of the locomotive and the at least one railcar. The automated power switching system is configured to switch to the storage battery for the power supply when the train enters a predetermined geographical zone, and to the primary power source for the power supply when the train leaves the predetermined geographical zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power management system for managing power supply to a train having a locomotive with a primary power source for driving at least one railcar, the power management system comprising:
 a Train Location Detecting System (TLDS) installed on the train to detect a location of the train;   a storage battery on board the locomotive, the storage battery being adapted to supply power to at least one of the locomotive and the at least one railcar;   a battery charging unit for charging the storage battery; and   an automated power switching system, in operable communication with the primary power source, the TLDS, and the storage battery, for supplying power to the train, the automated power switching system being configured to,
 switch to the storage battery for the power supply, when the train enters a predetermined geographical zone; and 
 switch to the primary power source for the power supply when the train leaves the predetermined geographical zone, wherein the location of the train is detected by the TLDS.