Diesel locomotive fuel savings and protective system

Patent · Tue Nov 08 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5253822

Potts, Jr, J E

A system provides automatic starting of a locomotive diesel engine if the temperature drops toward freezing, which could damage the engine because of its water cooled nature, thereby saving fuel otherwise required when an engine is permitted to run continuously. Temperature sensing devices sense the temperature in the cooling water to sense a starting temperature, a shut-off temperature and a still lower temperature at which to provide an audible warning and drain the cooling water if freezing should be imminent. A circuit including a time delay relay is responsive to the sensing of the temperature at which starting is to be carried out for causing connection of the normally disconnected battery and energizing of the engine starter to initiate engine operation. This causes increase in the cooling water temperature to the level at which operation may be discontinued when this temperature is sensed, a circuit arrangement causes a stopping mechanism of the engine to be operated by solenoid, whereupon the engine and cooling water temperature gradually decreases until finally reaching a point at which restart is initiated. The starting circuitry includes provision for attempting a predetermined number of starts and an arrangement for temporarily activating the low governor oil pressure reset mechanism of the locomotive to ensure starting. Provision is made for giving audible warning and energizing a water drain solenoid valve if freezing is imminent and the engine has failed to start.

• Assignee: EDB-84-050307
• Patent Number(s): US 4413595
• OSTI ID: 5253822
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 17 May 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-378527
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
DIESEL ENGINES
FREEZE PROTECTION
FUEL ECONOMY
TRAINS
AUTOMATION
COOLING SYSTEMS
IGNITION SYSTEMS
OPERATION
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SOLENOIDS
ELECTRIC COILS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
VEHICLES
330102* - Internal Combustion Engines- Diesel