Transversal generator set and modular design for refurbishment of locomotives

Abstract

A generator set has a transversal configuration on the locomotive. The generator set and its configuration on the platform offer good performance with respect to the space it occupies along the length of the locomotive platform deck, and offer better access for maintenance purposes. A walkway interface structure supports a modular design for locomotives using standardized major sub-assemblies that can be easily interfaced from one locomotive and under-frame to another.

1 . A locomotive comprising:
 a platform deck; and   a plurality of generator sets on the platform deck, each generator set occupying a space associated with a generally oblong footprint on the platform deck, the footprint defining a longitudinal axis along a longest length of the footprint,   
       wherein each generator set is positioned on the platform deck such that the longitudinal axis of the corresponding footprint is generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the locomotive. 
     
     
         2 . The locomotive according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of generator sets comprises:
 an engine generally oblong along an engine major axis;   a fuel line supplying fuel to the engine through a fuel filter;   an oil line supplying oil to the engine through an oil filter;   an electrical subsystem connected to the engine comprising:
 an alternator driven by the engine, the alternator being generally oblong along an alternator major axis, the alternator major axis being generally parallel to the engine major axis; and 
 a junction box for power management of the electrical subsystem and positioned on the first side of the alternator; 
   an air passage supplying intake air to the engine through an air filter, the air filter being generally oblong along an air filter major axis, the air filter being positioned above the alternator and the air filter major axis being generally perpendicular to the alternator major axis;   an exhaust pipe for removal of exhaust gases from the engine through a muffler, the muffler being generally oblong along a muffler major axis, the muffler being positioned above the engine, the muffler major axis being generally parallel to the engine major axis;   a radiator system for cooling of the generator set and connected to the engine, the radiator system being positioned above the engine; and   an operating panel for control of the generator set.   
     
     
         3 . A walkway interface structure for supporting a locomotive sub-assembly on a locomotive platform having a platform width, the walkway interface structure comprising:
 a base structure adapted to be removably placed on the locomotive platform, said base structure supporting the locomotive sub-assembly and having a base structure width substantially corresponding to the platform width; and   at least one interface means traversing the base structure for operatively connecting the locomotive sub-assembly to another locomotive sub-system.   
     
     
         4 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one interface means comprises an element selected from the group consisting of traction motor cables, generator set power cables, dynamic brake power cables, power cables, power wires, control harnesses, fuel lines, drains, piping lines or ducting. 
     
     
         5 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 3 , further comprising connections for connecting to a further walkway interface structure, said further walkway interface structure supporting a further locomotive sub-assembly on the locomotive platform. 
     
     
         6 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the connections comprise at least one connection element selected from the group consisting of traction motor cables, generator set power cables, dynamic brake power cables, power cables, power wires, control harnesses, fuel lines, drains, piping lines or ducting. 
     
     
         7 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the base structure comprises at least one internal passageway through which the connections extend from a first extremity of the walkway interface structure to a second opposite extremity of the walkway interface structure. 
     
     
         8 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 4 , further comprising connections for connecting to a further walkway interface structure, said further walkway interface structure supporting a further locomotive sub-assembly on the locomotive platform. 
     
     
         9 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the connections comprise at least one connection element selected from the group consisting of traction motor cables, generator set power cables, dynamic brake power cables, power cables, power wires, control harnesses, fuel lines, drains, piping lines or ducting. 
     
     
         10 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the base structure comprises at least one internal passageway through which the connections extend from a first extremity of the walkway interface structure to a second opposite extremity of the walkway interface structure. 
     
     
         11 . The walkway interface structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the base structure comprises at least one internal passageway through which the connections extend from a first extremity of the walkway interface structure to a second opposite extremity of the walkway interface structure. 
     
     
         12 . A locomotive comprising a plurality of walkway interface structures as claimed in  claim 3 . 
     
     
         13 . The locomotive according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of walkway interface structures, each of said plurality of walkway interface structures supporting a corresponding one of the plurality of generator sets on the platform deck and comprising:
 a base structure adapted to be removably placed on the locomotive platform deck, said base structure supporting the corresponding generator set and having a base structure width substantially corresponding to the platform width; and   at least one interface means traversing the base structure for operatively connecting the corresponding generator set to another locomotive sub-system.   
     
     
         14 . The locomotive according to  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of walkway interface structures, each of said plurality of walkway interface structures supporting a corresponding one of the plurality of generator sets on the platform deck and comprising:
 a base structure adapted to be removably placed on the locomotive platform deck, said base structure supporting the corresponding generator set and having a base structure width substantially corresponding to the platform width; and   at least one interface means traversing the base structure for operatively connecting the corresponding generator set to another locomotive sub-system.   
     
     
         15 . The locomotive according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one interface means comprises an element selected from the group consisting of traction motor cables, generator set power cables, dynamic brake power cables, power cables, power wires, control harnesses, fuel lines, drains, piping lines or ducting. 
     
     
         16 . The locomotive according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of walkway interface structures comprises connections for connecting to an adjacent walkway interface structure. 
     
     
         17 . The locomotive according to  claim 16 , wherein the connections comprise at least one connection element selected from the group consisting of traction motor cables, generator set power cables, dynamic brake power cables, power cables, power wires, control harnesses, fuel lines, drains, piping lines or ducting. 
     
     
         18 . The locomotive according to  claim 16 , wherein each base structure of a corresponding walkway interface structure comprises at least one internal passageway through which the connections extend from a first extremity of the corresponding walkway interface structure to a second opposite extremity of the corresponding walkway interface structure. 
     
     
         19 . The locomotive according to  claim 17 , wherein each base structure of a corresponding walkway interface structure comprises at least one internal passageway through which the connections extend from a first extremity of the corresponding walkway interface structure to a second opposite extremity of the corresponding walkway interface structure. 
     
     
         20 . The locomotive according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one interface means comprises an element selected from the group consisting of traction motor cables, generator set power cables, dynamic brake power cables, power cables, power wires, control harnesses, fuel lines, drains, piping lines or ducting, wherein each of the plurality of walkway interface structures comprises connections for connecting to an adjacent walkway interface structure, wherein the connections comprise at least one connection element selected from the group consisting of traction motor cables, generator set power cables, dynamic brake power cables, power cables, power wires, control harnesses, fuel lines, drains, piping lines or ducting, and wherein each base structure of a corresponding walkway interface structure comprises at least one internal passageway through which the connections extend from a first extremity of the corresponding walkway interface structure to a second opposite extremity of the corresponding walkway interface structure.