Locomotive engine inlet air apparatus and method of controlling inlet air temperature
US6327980A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/12
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Automatic control of the temperature of the inlet air being supplied to the engine (12) of a locomotive (10) in order to optimize the performance of the engine (12) under a variety of ambient air temperatures and pressures. One or more valves (38) is utilized to control the flow of warm air from the engine compartment (14) into the air inlet path (20). The position of valve (38) is controlled by controller (42) in response to at least one of an ambient air temperature signal T.sub.A, an ambient atmospheric pressure signal P.sub.A, and an inlet air temperature signal T.sub.I. The temperature of the air flowing through the warm air flow path 28 may be controlled by selecting from among a plurality of possible inlets (30, 32, 50). By varying the volume and temperature of the air flowing through the warm air flow path (28), the temperature and density of the air supplied at the engine inlet (18) may be moderated across a broad range of ambient air temperatures and pressures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.