The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 04, 1994
Filed:
Apr. 22, 1993
Ronald A Johnston, Longview, TX (US);
Dwight Baker, Longview, TX (US);
Gary L Nelson, Longview, TX (US);
Marathon LeTourneau Company, Longview, TX (US);
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for powering and controlling the operation of large diesel-electric off-road haulers of the type in which hauler drive wheels are propelled and retarded by DC electric wheel motors powered from on-board generators, optionally supplemented by DC power, from external trolley lines. In the disclosed system, thyristor-type converters connected into the system AC power grid are used to receive supplemental external power from DC trolley lines and supply it into the AC power distribution grid in the propel mode. The use of such thyristor-type converters makes possible the use of supplemental trolley line power without provision of separate switching or control gear to operate the DC wheel motors when trolley line power is received. Thyristor-type converters also may be used to supply current generated by wheel motors in the retarding mode to retarding resistors, making possible the use of the initial electrical power generated by the wheel motors to replace load requirements of the diesel engine, resulting in substantial fuel savings.