Inventors:
Ajith Kuttannair Kumar - Erie PA
Peter Loring Valentine - Erie PA
Assignee:
General Electric Company - Erie PA
International Classification:
H02P 312
US Classification:
318375, 318254, 318362, 318382, 318151, 318152, 318153
Abstract:
A dynamic braking system for a vehicle, the system comprising an engine, an alternator, a plurality of alternating current (AC) electric traction motors, each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels, a plurality of power inverters where each of the traction motors has excitation windings coupled in circuit with a corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, a fuel-free dynamic braking controller, a fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch located between one of the plurality of traction motors and the one of the plurality of power inverters in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, wherein the one of the plurality of traction motors in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters that is separated by the fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch does not generate and does not consume power, and wherein the fuel-free dynamic braking controller commands one of the plurality of power inverters that is separated by the fuel-free distributed braking transfer switch from one the traction motor to convert direct current (DC) power into AC power for use by the vehicle.