A locomotive propelled by a hybrid power system includes a boost mode of operation accessible on-demand by the operator. When a throttle is set to deliver maximum power from a diesel-electric engine, an operator can select actuators separate from the throttle to request that a control module deliver additional electrical power from batteries. The actuators may be soft keys or a touchscreen on a computer monitor or mechanical switches as part of the locomotive cab. The actuators provide boost notches of additional power beyond the typical eight notches on the throttle at least for transient conditions, and existing locomotives may be easily and inexpensively retrofitted with the actuators.

An arrangement and a method for carrying out a self-load test on a rail vehicle which has a dual-mode drive system. A first drivetrain of the rail vehicle includes a diesel engine, which is coupled to an electric generator to generate electrical power. The generator is connected via a first converter to a DC link to transfer the power delivered by the generator as required into the DC link. A second drivetrain of the rail vehicle has an electrical line system, which is connected via a second converter to the DC link to transfer power from the line system as required into the DC link. During the self-load test of the diesel engine, the power delivered by the generator passes in part via a third converter to a braking resistor and in part via the second converter into the line system.

A motor control device that controls driving of a first inverter and a second inverter each configured to control a supply current to a three-phase alternating-current motor. The motor control device is configured to: switch a control mode between a single-inverter control mode in which one of the first inverter and the second inverter is driven to control the supply current to the motor, and a twin-inverter control mode in which both the first inverter and the second inverter are driven to control the supply current to the motor; calculate each of a first power loss due to the single-inverter control mode and a second power loss due to the twin-inverter control mode; and set the control mode to the first power loss or the second power loss, whichever has a smaller power loss.

A motor control device that controls driving of a first inverter and a second inverter each configured to control a supply current to a three-phase alternating-current motor. The motor control device is configured to: switch a control mode between a single-inverter control mode in which one of the first inverter and the second inverter is driven to control the supply current to the motor, and a twin-inverter control mode in which both the first inverter and the second inverter are driven to control the supply current to the motor; calculate each of a first power loss due to the single-inverter control mode and a second power loss due to the twin-inverter control mode; and set the control mode to the first power loss or the second power loss, whichever has a smaller power loss.

A dual-source multi-mode power supply system includes a battery power supply, a first DC bus, an electric power generating system and a second DC bus. The battery power supply includes a DC-DC converter circuit configured to convert a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage for supplying power to the first DC bus. The electric power generating system includes a permanent magnet generator and an active rectifier circuit configured to convert a variable-voltage/variable-frequency output into a constant high-voltage direct current (HVDC) to supply power to a second DC bus. An electronic coordinated control module determines a load request, and controls one or more switch such that the power from the first DC bus and power from the second DC bus are delivered to the loads to satisfy the load request.

A drive system, mountable onto a vehicle including a detachable rotational drive mechanism, for driving the rotational drive mechanism in accordance with a torque requirement. The drive system includes an engine that outputs first rotational power, and a generator that includes a rotor for receiving the first rotational power, a stator including a stator core with a winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, and a supply current adjustment device for adjusting magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust an output current of the generator. The drive system further includes a motor driven by the outputted current of the generator to output second rotational power to the rotational drive mechanism, and a control device configured to control both the engine and the supply current adjustment device, in accordance with the torque requirement.

A vehicle including an engine, a generator, a motor, a driving member and a control device. The generator includes a rotor, a stator having a stator core with a winding wound thereon, and an inductance adjustment device that changes an inductance of the winding by changing magnetic resistance of a magnetic circuit for the winding that passes through the stator core. The current adjustment device adjusts a current outputted from the generator to the motor, which drives the driving member. The control device, upon receiving a request for increasing the current to be supplied to the motor, directs the inductance adjustment device to adjust the generator to operate in a state in which the inductance of the winding is low, directs the engine to increase a rotation speed thereof to increase the rotational power, and directs the current adjustment device to increase the output current of the generator.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body, an electromotive driving unit mounted on the vehicle body, an engine operable with a liquid fuel, a generator that generates electric power, and a control device including a power generation control unit and an electric power output unit. The power generation control unit outputs a signal for controlling the engine and the generator, the electric power output unit outputting electric power generated by the generator to the electromotive driving unit. The control device in combination with the engine and the generator constitutes a physically integrated unit that is mountable to and dismountable from the vehicle body. The control device is configured to output a store visit promotion signal to an informing device while the physically integrated unit is mounted on the vehicle body, to prompt a visit to a store where the physically integrated unit is replaceable.

A transmission for outputting a rotational torque in accordance with a torque requirement. The transmission includes a generator, a motor and a control device. The generator includes a rotor configured to receive first rotational power from an engine, a stator including a stator core with a winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, and a supply current adjustment device configured to adjust magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust a current outputted by the generator. The motor is driven by the current outputted from the generator, to thereby output second rotational power. The control device controls the supply current adjustment device to change the inductance of the winding, in accordance with the torque requirement.

A current supply system configured to receive a rotational driving force and supply a current for driving an electrical load device in accordance with a current requirement. The current supply system includes a rotor, including a permanent magnet, configured to receive the rotational driving force, and a stator including a stator core with a winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, the rotational driving force causing the rotor and the stator to generate the current. The current supply system further includes a supply current adjustment device configured to change magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding in accordance with the current requirement, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust the generated current.