A self-propelled railcar having a structure; at least one bogie attached to the structure, a sensor suite; a propulsion motor; and an energy storage system. The at least one bogie having at least one powered axle. The sensor suite has a processor and a plurality of sensors. The energy storage system includes a controller and a power source, wherein the controller provides energy from the power source to the propulsion motor to the powered axle in a predetermined manner to control movement of the self-propelled railcar. The energy storage system may be off-board.

Example embodiments relate to implementing self-contained power sources for railcars. A railcar may include an air turbine that comprises a generator. The air turbine converts mechanical energy received from air to electrical energy by way of the generator. In some implementations, the air turbine is selectably coupled to the air brake system of the railcar and can convert mechanical energy received from pressurized air of the air brake system. The railcar can further include a pneumatic valve and a controller that can cause the pneumatic valve to open when the air pressure of the air brake system is at or above a predetermined level. Opening the pneumatic valve provides pressurized air to the air turbine from the air brake system and/or an exhaust pipe. The air turbine is a Wells turbine or a ram air turbine in some examples.

Example embodiments relate to implementing self-contained power sources for railcars. A railcar may include an air turbine that comprises a generator. The air turbine converts mechanical energy received from air to electrical energy by way of the generator. In some implementations, the air turbine is selectably coupled to the air brake system of the railcar and can convert mechanical energy received from pressurized air of the air brake system. The railcar can further include a pneumatic valve and a controller that can cause the pneumatic valve to open when the air pressure of the air brake system is at or above a predetermined level. Opening the pneumatic valve provides pressurized air to the air turbine from the air brake system and/or an exhaust pipe. The air turbine is a Wells turbine or a ram air turbine in some examples.

A system for initializing operations of one or more batteries of a lithium-ion battery pack to supply electric power to an electrical load includes a switching device, an output device, and a controller. The switching device is configured to move between a first position to facilitate supply of electric power from the batteries to the electrical load and a second position to restrict supply of electric power from the batteries to the electrical load. The output device is configured to be activated to indicate an availability of the batteries to supply electric power to the electrical load. The controller receives an input, actuates a contactor associated with at least one battery to facilitate electrical connection between the at least one battery and the electrical load, and moves the switching device to the first position to cause an activation of the output device in response to the actuation of the contactor.

A system for initializing operations of one or more batteries of a lithium-ion battery pack to supply electric power to an electrical load includes a switching device, an output device, and a controller. The switching device is configured to move between a first position to facilitate supply of electric power from the batteries to the electrical load and a second position to restrict supply of electric power from the batteries to the electrical load. The output device is configured to be activated to indicate an availability of the batteries to supply electric power to the electrical load. The controller receives an input, actuates a contactor associated with at least one battery to facilitate electrical connection between the at least one battery and the electrical load, and moves the switching device to the first position to cause an activation of the output device in response to the actuation of the contactor.

A bogie includes a bogie frame, a first running wheel and a second running wheel, at least one driving device, a first horizontal wheel, a second horizontal wheel, a first horizontal safety wheel connected to the first horizontal wheel and moving in synchronization with the first horizontal wheel, and a second horizontal safety wheel connected to the second horizontal wheel and moving in synchronization with the second horizontal wheel. The bogie frame has a straddle recess suitable for straddling a rail. The first running wheel and the second running wheel are pivotably mounted onto the bogie frame respectively and are coaxially spaced apart. The at least one driving device is mounted onto the bogie frame and located between the first running wheel and the second running wheel to drive the first running wheel and the second running wheel.

A bogie includes a bogie frame, a first running wheel and a second running wheel, at least one driving device, a first horizontal wheel, a second horizontal wheel, a first horizontal safety wheel connected to the first horizontal wheel and moving in synchronization with the first horizontal wheel, and a second horizontal safety wheel connected to the second horizontal wheel and moving in synchronization with the second horizontal wheel. The bogie frame has a straddle recess suitable for straddling a rail. The first running wheel and the second running wheel are pivotably mounted onto the bogie frame respectively and are coaxially spaced apart. The at least one driving device is mounted onto the bogie frame and located between the first running wheel and the second running wheel to drive the first running wheel and the second running wheel.

An electric locomotive includes a first control line and DC buses laid between couplers, a power storage device connected to the DC buses, and a DC/DC converter that executes charge and discharge control with respect to the power storage device. A non-powered vehicle includes DC buses connected to the DC buses via a coupler, a second control line, a power storage device connected to the DC buses via a circuit breaker, and a BMU that manages the power storage device. The DC/DC converter executes power accumulation control with respect to the power storage device and power accumulation control with respect to the power storage device. When having determined abnormality of the power storage device, the BMU controls the circuit breaker to be turned off, thereby cutting off electrical connection between the power storage device and the DC buses.

An electric locomotive includes a first control line and DC buses laid between couplers, a power storage device connected to the DC buses, and a DC/DC converter that executes charge and discharge control with respect to the power storage device. A non-powered vehicle includes DC buses connected to the DC buses via a coupler, a second control line, a power storage device connected to the DC buses via a circuit breaker, and a BMU that manages the power storage device. The DC/DC converter executes power accumulation control with respect to the power storage device and power accumulation control with respect to the power storage device. When having determined abnormality of the power storage device, the BMU controls the circuit breaker to be turned off, thereby cutting off electrical connection between the power storage device and the DC buses.

An electric supply system for a vehicle system includes two or more electric energy storage devices. Two or more buses each conductively couple an energy storage device with a corresponding load of plural loads. A controller controls conduction of current from one or more of the energy storage devices to one or more other buses to transfer energy to other energy storage devices or other loads. A method includes directing a first energy storage device of a first power supply assembly to supply electric current to a first bus conductively coupling the first energy storage device to one or more first loads onboard the vehicle system. The method further includes conducting the electric current from the first energy storage device to one or more second buses of one or more second power supply assemblies to recharge one or more second energy storage devices or power one or more second loads.