초록 ▼

An electronic fuel conserving control system for multiple unit locomotive consists. The control system varies the throttle settings of the individual locomotive units among full power, half power and minimal power settings to operate the consist in a fuel efficient manner while maintaining the desir

An electronic fuel conserving control system for multiple unit locomotive consists. The control system varies the throttle settings of the individual locomotive units among full power, half power and minimal power settings to operate the consist in a fuel efficient manner while maintaining the desired speed. Special features include automatic dropping of the locomotive to full power reduction when the air brakes have been applied for 30 seconds, a 90 second manual override period which is initiated when the dynamic brake is released after having been applied for 30 seconds, dip switch selection of the number of units available for dynamic brake loading, a power reduction button for quickly reducing power, minimum and maximum speed limit switches which establish a speed range in which the control system operates the train, and a solid state control circuit for controlling the governor solenoids of the locomotives in the fuel save mode of operation.

대표청구항 ▼

In a fuel conserving control apparatus for a multiple unit locomotive consist having a lead locomotive, a plurality of trail locomotives, and throttle circuits for the locomotives all normally having the same condition as the throttle circuit of the lead locomotive to operate all locomotives at subs

In a fuel conserving control apparatus for a multiple unit locomotive consist having a lead locomotive, a plurality of trail locomotives, and throttle circuits for the locomotives all normally having the same condition as the throttle circuit of the lead locomotive to operate all locomotives at substantially the same power level in a manual mode of operation, the improvement comprising: means for setting a set speed at which it is desired for the consist to operate; means for sensing the actual speed of the consist; means for operating the consist in a fuel save mode of operation in which the throttle circuits of the trail locomotives are adjusted automatically to sequentially increase or decrease the power levels of the locomotives in discrete increments to effect substantial conformity of the actual speed with the set speed; means for establishing minimum and maximum speeds of the consist; and means for confining the set speed to the range between said minimum and maximum speeds.