Propulsion system for integral trains

Claim 2

A propulsion system for driving at least one axle of a rail vehicle comprising: an engine; means connected to said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electrical signal as a function of the speed of said engine; a three phase alternating current motor directly responsive to said three phase alternating current electrical signal; variable automatic mechanical transmission means coupled to said electrical motor for transmitting torque to said axle; means for measuring vehicle speed; and first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.

Claim 3

A propulsion system according to claim 1, including second control means connected to said first means for selecting one of a plurality of preselected vehicle speeds.

Claim 4

A apropulsion system according to claim 2, wherein said first control means includes a governor for controlling the speed of said engine as a function of said selected speed.

Claim 5

A propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein said axle is bifurcated into two portions and includes a differental connecting said transmission to said axle for separately controlling each portion of said axle.

Claim 6

A propulsion system according to claim 4, wherein said vehicle includes a frame, said electric motor and transmission means are mounted unsprung to said frame and including air springs mounting said axle and differential to said frame.

Claim 7

A propulsion system according to claim 4, wherein said transmission means includes a reversing gear.

Claim 8

A propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein said first control means selects gears and shifting points of said transmission means as a function of said measured vehicle speed and selected vehicle speed.

Claim 9

A propulsion system for a train having a first plurality of rail vehicles comprising: an engine on a first vehicle; means on said first vehicle and connected top said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electric signal as a function of the speed of said engine; a plurality of three phase alternating current electric motors, at least one of each on a second plurality of vehicles and each directly responsive to said three phase alternating current electric signal; a plurality of variable automatic mechanical transmission means coupled to a respective three phase alternating current electric motor for transmitting torque to a respective axle; means for measuring vehicle speed; and first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said plurality of variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.

Claim 10

A propulsion system for a train having a first plurality of rail vehicles comprising: an engine on a first vehicle; means on said first vehicle and connected top said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electric signal as a function of the speed of said engine; a plurality of three phase alternating current electric motors, at least one of each on a second plurality of vehicles and each directly responsive to said three phase alternating current electric signal; a plurality of variable automatic mechanical transmission means coupled to a respective three phase alternating current electric motor for transmitting torque to a respective axle; means for measuring vehicle speed; and first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said plurality of variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.

Claim 11

A propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein said engine and said generating means are mounted to a pallet which is removably attached to said first vehicle.

Claim 12

A propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein said first control means selects gears and shifting points of said transmission means as a function of said measured vehicle speed and selected vehicle speed.

Claim 13

A propulsion system for driving at least one axle of a rail vehicle comprising: an engine; an alternator connected to said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electrical signal as a function of the speed of said engine; and a three phase alternating current electric motor connected mechanically to said axle via a variable automatic mechanicl transmission and electrically to said alternator directly for driving said axle as a function of said three phase alternating current electrical signals and state of said transmission and for reflecting a load on said axle to said engine through said alternator; means for measuring vehicle speed; and first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.

Claim 14

A propulsion system for driving at least one axle of a rail vehicle comprising: an engine; an alternator connected to said engine for generating a three phase alternating current electrical signal as a function of the speed of said engine; and a three phase alternating current electric motor connected mechanically to said axle via a variable automatic mechanicl transmission and electrically to said alternator directly for driving said axle as a function of said three phase alternating current electrical signals and state of said transmission and for reflecting a load on said axle to said engine through said alternator; means for measuring vehicle speed; and first control means for controlling the speed of said engine and controlling said variable transmission means as a function of a selected vehicle speed and measured vehicle speed.