Authorial concept for the selection of an internal combustion engine for the diesel-electric generator set of a two-unit rail vehicle

Abstract

An alternative to the diesel-powered vehicles in use today is the light rail vehicle with a dual power train (i.e. with both diesel and electric traction), which can be operated on both electrified and non-electrified lines. The article presents assumptions for the selection of the power unit, taking into account current emission standards, for a vehicle which design solutions are innovative in relation to the rolling stock currently in service. The vehicle takes into account the possibility of driving in electric and diesel traction, the use of an electric transmission (engine + traction transmission), the use of two generators (combustion engine + traction generator), which will increase the reliability of the light rail vehicle and its readiness for operation. By using the electrodynamic brake on the vehicle in electric and diesel traction, energy savings will be achieved, also thanks to recuperation during braking when operating in electric traction, there will be a reduction in fuel consumption in diesel traction through the use of an engine load algorithm depending on the current traction power demand.