System for cooling power generation system of a locomotive

Abstract

A system for cooling a power generation system of a locomotive. The power generation system includes an alternator and an engine system. The alternator is coupled to the engine system. The engine system comprises one or more components. The system includes a fan providing air flow, a first sensing module to determine a first temperature of the alternator, a second sensing module to determine a second temperature of the one or more components of the engine system, and a controller. The controller regulates the air flow based on the first temperature and the second temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for cooling a power generation system of a locomotive, the power generation system includes an alternator and an engine system, the alternator coupled to the engine system, the engine system comprising one or more components, the system comprising:
 a fan configured to provide an air flow for cooling the alternator and the engine system;   a first sensing module configured to determine a first temperature of the alternator;   a second sensing module configured to determine a second temperature of the one or more components of the engine system; and   a controller in communication with the first sensing module and the second sensing module, the controller is configured to regulate the air flow from the fan based on the first temperature and the second temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more components are positioned proximate to the alternator. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more components include an aftercooler. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more components include a turbocharger. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow from the fan is regulated by regulating a speed of the fan. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alternator is positioned upstream of the engine system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the alternator is housed within an enclosure, the enclosure having one or more openings permitting the air flow to reach the engine system. 
     
     
         8 . A locomotive comprising:
 an engine system comprising one or more components;   an alternator coupled to the engine system;   a fan configured to provide an air flow for cooling the alternator and the engine system;   a first sensing module configured to determine a first temperature of the alternator;   a second sensing module configured to determine a second temperature of the one or more components of the engine system, wherein the one or more components are positioned proximate to the alternator; and   a controller in communication with the first sensing module and the second sensing module, the controller is configured to regulate the air flow from the fan based on the first temperature and the second temperature.   
     
     
         9 . The locomotive of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more components include an aftercooler. 
     
     
         10 . The locomotive of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more components include a turbocharger. 
     
     
         11 . The locomotive of  claim 8 , wherein the air flow from the fan is regulated by regulating a speed of the fan. 
     
     
         12 . The locomotive of  claim 8 , wherein the alternator is positioned upstream of the engine system. 
     
     
         13 . The locomotive of  claim 12 , wherein the alternator is housed within an enclosure, the enclosure having one or more openings permitting the air flow to reach the engine system. 
     
     
         14 . A method for cooling a power generation system of a locomotive, the power generation system includes an alternator and an engine system, the alternator coupled to the engine system, the engine system comprising one or more components, the method comprising:
 providing an air flow for cooling the alternator and the engine system using a fan;   determining a first temperature of the alternator using a first sensing module;   determining a second temperature of the one or more components of the engine system using a second sensing module;   providing the first temperature and the second temperature to a controller; and   regulating the air flow by the controller, based on the first temperature and the second temperature.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more components are positioned proximate to the alternator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more components include an aftercooler. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more components include a turbocharger. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the air flow provided by the fan is regulated by regulating a speed of the fan. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the alternator is upstream of the engine system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the alternator is housed within an enclosure, the enclosure having one or more openings permitting the air flow to reach the engine system.