Robert S Runyon

US Patent:

8136454, Mar 20, 2012

Filed:

May 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/434393

Inventors:

Gibson V Barbee - Roanoke VA, US
Gerhard A Thelen - Virginia Beach VA, US
Robert S Runyon - Roanoke VA, US
Derick Vander Klippe - Cambridge, CA

Assignee:

Norfolk Southern Corporation - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B61C 3/00
B61C 5/00

US Classification:

105 50, 105 49, 105 35, 105 61

Abstract:

Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage means. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly. Many locomotive or train configurations involving battery-powered or battery-toting locomotive(s) may be implemented. In one embodiment, a battery-toting locomotive is directly coupled with and positioned between two diesel-electric locomotives, wherein the batteries recover energy from regenerative braking and/or supply power to drive traction motors.

US Patent:

8342103, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Mar 5, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/411843

Inventors:

Gibson V Barbee - Roanoke VA, US
Gerhard A Thelen - Virginia Beach VA, US
Robert S Runyon - Roanoke VA, US
Derick Vander Klippe - Cambridge, CA

Assignee:

Norfolk Southern Corporation - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B61C 3/00
B61C 5/00

US Classification:

105 50, 105 49, 105 35, 105 61, 320116, 320119, 320118, 320132, 320134, 320135, 320136, 320150

Abstract:

Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly. Many locomotive or train configurations involving battery-powered or battery-toting locomotive(s) may be implemented, including the combination of a battery assembly and a diesel-electric engine on separate locomotive platforms.

US Patent:

8640629, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Dec 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/731541

Inventors:

Gerhard A. Thelen - Virginia Beach VA, US
Robert S Runyon - Roanoke VA, US
Derick Vander Klippe - Cambridge, CA

Assignee:

Norfolk Southern Corporation - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B61C 3/02
B60L 7/10
B60L 11/18

US Classification:

105 61, 105 50, 105 35, 104289

Abstract:

Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are provided. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage means. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly. Many locomotive or train configurations involving battery-powered or battery-toting locomotive(s) may be implemented. In one embodiment, a battery-toting locomotive is directly coupled with and positioned between two diesel-electric locomotives, wherein the batteries recover energy from regenerative braking and/or supply power to drive traction motors.

US Patent:

H19615, Jun 5, 2001

Filed:

Apr 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/285762

Inventors:

Robert S. Runyon - Roanoke VA

Assignee:

Norfolk Southern Corporation - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B61D 4900

US Classification:

105 61

Abstract:

A universal directional reference for trailing locomotives and railroad cars employs a two wire mating connector for each end of the car or locomotive, each wire having a male contact at one end and a female contact at the opposite end and in a sense opposite to the other wire. A positive polarity established on one conductor having its male contact at the leading end of the controlling locomotive causes the same polarity to appear on the female contact at the rear end of said locomotive which is connected to the male contact of the next car or locomotive thereby sustaining the pattern throughout the train. Reverse orientation of any trailing unit automatically swaps the internal polarity of its trainline wires to compensate for the otherwise reverse direction of travel.

US Patent:

42220866, Sep 9, 1980

Filed:

Nov 11, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/850841

Inventors:

Robert S. Runyon - Hollins VA

International Classification:

H02H 308

US Classification:

361 93

Abstract:

An overcurrent control device for protection of direct-current circuits, employing a saturable reactor to provide for electrical isolation and remote location of the overcurrent detection means from the protected circuit, is provided with additional windings on the reactor and a circuit to render the device fail-safe, while another embodiment provides fail-safe protection using a modified arrangement wherein the additional reactor windings are omitted.