The kinetic energy converter is coupled to a bogie of a pneumatic propulsion vehicle for a transportation system of passengers and cargo. The kinetic energy converter (6) is mounted in at least one of the axle sets (4) of the bogie structure (1). The kinetic energy converter (6) is comprised of an electric generator provided with a housing (10) where an electric generator rotor (16) spins, provided with a rotor pulley (15) moved by a belt (11) driven by a freewheel pulley (14) mounted on a drive shaft (13) provided with shaft ends (25) which are mounted onto wheel hubs (24) of the bogie structure (1). The axle set (4) is comprised of guide tubes (7) whose internal ends have flanges (8) which are connected to the supports (9) of the electric generator housing (10).

Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. In one example, a system for a vehicle having a main power unit (MPU) coupled to an alternator and an auxiliary power unit (APU) configured to provide power to one or more hotel loads of the vehicle comprises: a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory executable to initiate operation of the APU in response to a drain load being applied to a battery of the vehicle that will deplete the battery to a state of charge (SOC) level that is less than a determined SOC threshold level in less time than a determined period, and the MPU is not in operation.

Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. In one example, a system for a vehicle having a main power unit (MPU) coupled to an alternator and an auxiliary power unit (APU) configured to provide power to one or more hotel loads of the vehicle comprises: a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory executable to initiate operation of the APU in response to a drain load being applied to a battery of the vehicle that will deplete the battery to a state of charge (SOC) level that is less than a determined SOC threshold level in less time than a determined period, and the MPU is not in operation.

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, a system for a vehicle having a main power unit (MPU) coupled to an alternator, and an auxiliary power unit (APU), and the APU is configured to provide power to one or more hotel loads of the vehicle, comprises: a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory that when executed during operation of the vehicle cause the controller to initiate operation of the APU in response to at least one of: a state of charge (SOC) of a battery of the vehicle being below a determined SOC threshold level, and the MPU is not in operation, and a drain load is applied to the battery that will deplete the battery to a SOC level that is less than the determined SOC threshold level in less time than a determined period, and the MPU is not in operation, and an air pressure level of an air reservoir of the vehicle is below a determined air pressure threshold level, and the MPU is not in operation.

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, a system for a vehicle having a main power unit (MPU) coupled to an alternator, and an auxiliary power unit (APU), and the APU is configured to provide power to one or more hotel loads of the vehicle, comprises: a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory that when executed during operation of the vehicle cause the controller to initiate operation of the APU in response to at least one of: a state of charge (SOC) of a battery of the vehicle being below a determined SOC threshold level, and the MPU is not in operation, and a drain load is applied to the battery that will deplete the battery to a SOC level that is less than the determined SOC threshold level in less time than a determined period, and the MPU is not in operation, and an air pressure level of an air reservoir of the vehicle is below a determined air pressure threshold level, and the MPU is not in operation.

A pneumatic regenerative system for a railway vehicle equipped with a plurality of axles includes a plurality of pneumatic drive mechanisms coupled to each of the plurality of axles. Each pneumatic drive mechanism includes an accumulator and a pneumatic device. The pneumatic device may in some examples be a reversible air motor device. The accumulator is operable to receive and store pressurized air. The reversible air motor device is coupled to the accumulator and one of the plurality of axles of the vehicle. The reversible air motor device is operable in a first configuration and a second configuration. During a braking operation of the railway vehicle, the reversible air motor device in the first configuration is driven by rotation of the one of the plurality of axles to generate and store pressurized air in the accumulator. During an acceleration operation, of the railway vehicle the reversible air motor device receives pressurized air from the accumulator to drive rotation of the one of the plurality of axles.

A pneumatic regenerative system for a railway vehicle equipped with a plurality of axles includes a plurality of pneumatic drive mechanisms coupled to each of the plurality of axles. Each pneumatic drive mechanism includes an accumulator and a pneumatic device. The pneumatic device may in some examples be a reversible air motor device. The accumulator is operable to receive and store pressurized air. The reversible air motor device is coupled to the accumulator and one of the plurality of axles of the vehicle. The reversible air motor device is operable in a first configuration and a second configuration. During a braking operation of the railway vehicle, the reversible air motor device in the first configuration is driven by rotation of the one of the plurality of axles to generate and store pressurized air in the accumulator. During an acceleration operation, of the railway vehicle the reversible air motor device receives pressurized air from the accumulator to drive rotation of the one of the plurality of axles.

A pneumatic regenerative system for a railway vehicle equipped with a plurality of axles includes a plurality of pneumatic drive mechanisms coupled to each of the plurality of axles. Each pneumatic drive mechanism includes an accumulator and a pneumatic device. The pneumatic device may in some examples be a reversible air motor device. The accumulator is operable to receive and store pressurized air. The reversible air motor device is coupled to the accumulator and one of the plurality of axles of the vehicle. The reversible air motor device is operable in a first configuration and a second configuration. During a braking operation of the railway vehicle, the reversible air motor device in the first configuration is driven by rotation of the one of the plurality of axles to generate and store pressurized air in the accumulator. During an acceleration operation, of the railway vehicle the reversible air motor device receives pressurized air from the accumulator to drive rotation of the one of the plurality of axles.

A pneumatic regenerative system for a railway vehicle equipped with a plurality of axles includes a plurality of pneumatic drive mechanisms coupled to each of the plurality of axles. Each pneumatic drive mechanism includes an accumulator and a pneumatic device. The pneumatic device may in some examples be a reversible air motor device. The accumulator is operable to receive and store pressurized air. The reversible air motor device is coupled to the accumulator and one of the plurality of axles of the vehicle. The reversible air motor device is operable in a first configuration and a second configuration. During a braking operation of the railway vehicle, the reversible air motor device in the first configuration is driven by rotation of the one of the plurality of axles to generate and store pressurized air in the accumulator. During an acceleration operation, of the railway vehicle the reversible air motor device receives pressurized air from the accumulator to drive rotation of the one of the plurality of axles.