Donald J Melpolder

US Patent:

7127345, Oct 24, 2006

Filed:

Jan 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/343401

Inventors:

Gong Chen - Erie PA, US
Richard J. McGowan - Slippery Rock PA, US
Donald J. Melpolder - Erie PA, US
Shawn Michael Gallagher - Erie PA, US
John Patrick Dowell - Niskayuna NY, US
Kyle Craig Stott - Erie PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02D 41/40

US Classification:

701105

Abstract:

A diesel engine () wherein both the operating speed of the engine (RPM) and the timing of the fuel injection into the engine (AA) are cooperatively controlled to be responsive to both the temperature and the pressure of the air () used for combustion. A controller () receives a temperature signal (), an air pressure signal (), and a power demand signal () and executes control logic to produce a fuel injection control signal () and an engine speed control signal () for controlling a fuel injection system (). A control strategy based on engine inlet air temperature and pressure or manifold air density may be useful for variable speed and power applications. For applications with discreet speed and power points, such as a locomotive, a speed and timing control strategy based on ambient temperature and pressure is useful for maximizing power during high altitude and/or high ambient/inlet air temperature operation.

US Patent:

20010042490, Nov 22, 2001

Filed:

Feb 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/775901

Inventors:

Donald Melpolder - Erie PA, US
Michael Lupichuk - Erie PA, US

International Classification:

B61C011/00
B61C013/00
B61C003/00

US Classification:

105/049000, 105/034200

Abstract:

A railroad locomotive includes traction motors for propelling the locomotive, and an isolation switch disposed in signal communication with at least one of the traction motors for isolating a faulting motor from the other traction motors.