Patent Application
20120216704
The present disclosure relates generally to a power module enclosure and, more particularly, to a power module enclosure for a locomotive.
Locomotives include a power module for generating power that drives the locomotive and supplies auxiliary demands. The power module often includes an internal combustion engine that drives one or more electric generators to produce electricity. The power module is generally located within a housing that separates the engine and/or generator from its surroundings to reduce an amount of heat and noise transfer, as well as to protect the engine and generator from the elements. In order to service, inspect, and/or repair the power module, at least a portion of the housing is often removed to gain sufficient access to the power module. Gaining access to the power module by removing portions of the housing can be labor intensive and time consuming. In addition, packaging of increasingly complex aftertreatment systems within the housing can be difficult.
One example of a simplified locomotive housing is described in European Patent No. 1,896,892 of Willmoore that issued on Feb. 13, 2008 (the '892 patent). In particular, the '892 patent discloses a locomotive having a housing that encloses an engine and supports an aftertreatment module. The aftertreatment module includes a particulate filter and a reduction catalyst. The aftertreatment module extends an entire width of the housing and a length of the engine, and is integrated into the housing roof and supported at its sides. The aftertreatment module can be lifted upwards away from the engine for improved servicing of the module and engine.
Although the locomotive housing of the '892 patent may have improved access for servicing purposes, it may still be less than optimal. In particular, the access provided to the engine may be from only one direction, that is from the top. This type of access may be inconvenient when only a side of the engine requires servicing. In addition, the connection between the aftertreatment module and the rest of the housing may provide opportunities for precipitation to enter the housing. Further, the connection between the aftertreatment module and the housing may require high precision machining in order to ensure proper connections between the aftertreatment module and the engine.
The power module enclosure of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a power module enclosure for a machine. The power module enclosure may include a first frame with a first side removably attached to a base platform of the machine at an engine location, a second side removably attached to the base platform opposite the first side, and a third side disposed between and fixedly connected to the first and second sides along a length direction of the first and second sides. The power module enclosure may also include a plurality of doors pivotally connected to at least one of the first and second sides to close off the at least one of the first and second sides, and an aftertreatment module connected to the third side to close off the third side.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to method of assembling a power module enclosure. The method may include removably fastening a first frame to a base platform of a machine at an engine location, and slidingly interlocking a second frame with the first frame in a direction generally perpendicular to the base platform. The method may further include removably fastening the second frame to the base platform at a generator location.
Each power module 16 may be at least partially covered by an enclosure 18 and divided into a generator section 20 and an engine section 22 located rearward of generator section 20. Generator section 20 may house a generator 24 that is driven by an engine 26 (shown only in
Dynamic brake 28 may include a resistive grid/fan combination associated with the motors that drive wheels 12. During a dynamic braking event, the motors can be operated as generators, using wheels 12 to apply torque and generate electricity. The torque applied by the wheels 12 may slow locomotive 10, while the electricity may be directed through a resistive grid (not shown) of dynamic brake 28. One or more fans 32 may be used to blow air through the grid during the braking event to cool the grid and exhaust heated air out of the locomotive. Dynamic brake 28 may be removably connected to a first frame 34 (shown only in
Aftertreatment module 30 may embody a modular assembly of exhaust treatment components contained within a common box-like housing. Aftertreatment module 30 may be used with many different engines 26 and/or power module configurations, be generally self-contained, and have a connection interface that facilitates exhaust, fluid, power, and/or data communication with other components of power module 16. In one example, placement of aftertreatment module 30 relative to engine 26 may require precision to help ensure proper alignment with exhaust, fluid, power, and/or data communication conduits that run between aftertreatment module 30 and engine 26. Aftertreatment module 30 may be removably connected to a second frame 36 (shown in
Each of first, second, and third sides 38-42 may be a rigid assembly consisting essentially of four outer frame members 44 and four inner corner supports 46. Each outer frame member 44 may be disposed generally perpendicular and permanently connected to (e.g., welded to) adjacent frame members 44 to form a box or rectangle. In one embodiment, third side 42 may share one frame member 44 with each of first and second sides 38, 40. At least one corner support 46 may be rigidly connected (e.g., welded) between each pair of adjacent frame members 44, and located in a corner of the box or rectangle formed by frame members 44 such that a generally open center within each of first, second, and third sides 38-42 may be provided for service access to generator 24 and/or engine 26. Frame members 44 located opposite third side 42 may include mounting pads 48 having any number of holes and/or fasteners for the removable connection of first and second frames 34, 36 to base platform 14. It is contemplated that first and/or second frames 34, 36 may include additional supports for adding structural rigidity or otherwise supporting one or more components of power module 16, if desired.
As shown in
Aftertreatment module 30 (referring to
First and second frames 34, 36 may each include geometry designed to reduce a likelihood of precipitation from entering enclosure 18 through a vertical space “s” between first and second frames 34, 36. In particular, each of first and second frames 34, 36 may include a generally L-shaped flange 58, 60 extending towards each other from vertical frame members 44 located on the trailing end of first frame 34 and the leading end of second frame 36, respectively. Flanges 58 of first frame 34 may be inverted relative to flanges 60 of second frame 36 such that flanges 58 overlap and interlock with flanges 60, thereby creating a weather seal between first and second frames 34, 36. In this configuration, first frame 34 and second frame 36 may be connected to each other by vertically sliding one of first and second frames 34, 36 into place on base platform 14 after the other of first and second frames 34, 36 has already been mounted to base platform 14. The space “s” may be maintained between first and second frames 34, 36 at flanges 58, 60 to accommodate movement of first and second frames 34, 36 during assembly and during operation of locomotive 10.
As shown in
Each door 62 may be an assembly of components including, among other things, an internal frame 64 (shown in
Enclosure 18 may be provided with geometry designed to reduce a likelihood of precipitation from entering enclosure 18 through an interface between base platform 14 and generator and engine sections 20, 22. Specifically,
Although the disclosed power module enclosure may be applicable to different types of machines where access to contents of the enclosure is an important factor, the disclosed power module enclosure may find particular applicability with mobile machines such as locomotives that are exposed to and benefit from protection from the environment. The disclosed power module may provide improved access to the sides of the module via accordion-type doors and frames having large open centers. Even greater access can be provided by the complete removal of the enclosure's frames from the locomotive's base platform. Protection from the environment may be provided by interlocking flanges located between frame sections, and by way of length-wise leak barriers connected to the base platform.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed power module enclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the power module enclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the power module enclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
