Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle that provides electrical power and compressed air while a main engine of the vehicle is not running. In one example, an auxiliary power unit (APU) comprises: an engine, an alternator, and a compressor, all mounted to a common base frame in a triangular arrangement with the alternator and compressor arranged adjacent to one another and each of the alternator and compressor rotationally coupled with the engine through a gearbox spaced between the engine and each of the compressor and alternator.

The present disclosure is directed to a system for electric energy storage. The system includes at least one energy cell. The energy cell has a plurality of weights, a carriage, a trolley, a belt and a main drive. The system is configured to move vertically the weights and to store the weights on either an upper portion or a lower portion of the energy cell. The system is charged or discharged by moving the weights from the lower portion to the upper portion or from the upper portion to the lower portion. The present disclosure also provides for a method for electric energy storage.

The present disclosure is directed to a system for electric energy storage. The system includes at least one energy cell. The energy cell has a plurality of weights, a carriage, a trolley, a belt and a main drive. The system is configured to move vertically the weights and to store the weights on either an upper portion or a lower portion of the energy cell. The system is charged or discharged by moving the weights from the lower portion to the upper portion or from the upper portion to the lower portion. The present disclosure also provides for a method for electric energy storage.

A rail-bound vehicle includes an energy storage device having a traction battery and a cooling device for cooling the traction battery using a coolant circulating in at least one coolant circuit. The energy storage device supplies a traction device of the vehicle with electrical energy. At least one air-conditioning device air conditions a passenger compartment of a car of the vehicle using a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit, and a control device controls the air-conditioning device. The air-conditioning device has a heat exchanger coupling the refrigerant circuit of the air-conditioning device to the coolant circuit of the cooling device of the energy storage device. The control device controls a flow of the refrigerant through the heat exchanger. An energy storage device, an air-conditioning device, an arrangement for cooling a traction battery and a method for controlling the arrangement are also provided.

A rail-bound vehicle includes an energy storage device having a traction battery and a cooling device for cooling the traction battery using a coolant circulating in at least one coolant circuit. The energy storage device supplies a traction device of the vehicle with electrical energy. At least one air-conditioning device air conditions a passenger compartment of a car of the vehicle using a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit, and a control device controls the air-conditioning device. The air-conditioning device has a heat exchanger coupling the refrigerant circuit of the air-conditioning device to the coolant circuit of the cooling device of the energy storage device. The control device controls a flow of the refrigerant through the heat exchanger. An energy storage device, an air-conditioning device, an arrangement for cooling a traction battery and a method for controlling the arrangement are also provided.

A locomotive propulsion system includes an engine assisting apparatus and an engine control unit that monitors an output parameter of a locomotive engine. The control unit determines whether the engine output decreases sufficiently low to at least partially de-fuel the engine and to activate an assisting apparatus. This assisting apparatus rotates a shaft of the engine with or without the engine also rotating the shaft. Rotation of the shaft by the assisting apparatus can be used to power traction motors or other loads of the locomotive while reducing fuel consumption and/or emission generation by the engine.

A locomotive propulsion system includes an engine assisting apparatus and an engine control unit that monitors an output parameter of a locomotive engine. The control unit determines whether the engine output decreases sufficiently low to at least partially de-fuel the engine and to activate an assisting apparatus. This assisting apparatus rotates a shaft of the engine with or without the engine also rotating the shaft. Rotation of the shaft by the assisting apparatus can be used to power traction motors or other loads of the locomotive while reducing fuel consumption and/or emission generation by the engine.

A vehicle starting system according to the present invention includes: an ATC as an automatic train controller that, on the basis of a start instruction received from an OCC as a central command device on the ground, starts a TCMS as an integrated train management system mounted on a train; and the TCMS performs control to supply power to a first vehicle device, and further performs control to supply power to a second vehicle device by raising a pantograph and then closing a VCB as a vacuum circuit breaker, and converting a voltage of alternating-current power acquired from an overhead contact line via the pantograph and the VCB.

A rail vehicle has a vehicle frame, supported on track undercarriages, and a vehicle superstructure with at least one driver's cabin. A motive drive is provided and has an electric motor supplied by an electric energy store. In this, it is provided that the energy store has a tempering by use of a liquid dielectric, and that the vehicle superstructure includes a compartment, separated from the driver's cabin, in which the electric energy store is arranged within at least one fire protection cabinet with a dielectric tank located there above.

A rail vehicle has a vehicle frame, supported on track undercarriages, and a vehicle superstructure with at least one driver's cabin. A motive drive is provided and has an electric motor supplied by an electric energy store. In this, it is provided that the energy store has a tempering by use of a liquid dielectric, and that the vehicle superstructure includes a compartment, separated from the driver's cabin, in which the electric energy store is arranged within at least one fire protection cabinet with a dielectric tank located there above.