BEL

Question 1

What is the total weight of the locomotive?

Answer 1

The total weight of the locomotive is 213.0 tonnes.

Question 2

What is the average static load per axle?

Answer 2

The average static load per axle is 35.5 tonnes.

Question 3

What is the maximum weight difference from end to end of the locomotive and why?

Answer 3

The maximum weight difference from end to end is 2%. This is to minimize the adhesion difference between trucks.

Question 4

What is the use of the Wabtec/GE Antenna?

Answer 4

The Wabtec/GE Antenna is used for GPS functionality.

Question 5

What are the specifications of the locomotive’s battery system?

Answer 5

The locomotive has 8.1MWh Batteries across 6 banks, 21 strings, and 42 packs.

Question 6

What is the maximum speed

Answer 6

The locomotive has a maximum speed of 90kmph

Question 7

What is the length of the locomotive and what modification has been made to the structure?

Answer 7

The locomotive is 77ft long, which is an increase by 1ft. The B-Side walkway has been removed.

Question 8

What new software and system architecture has been implemented in the locomotive?

Answer 8

The locomotive now has the FLX Optimizer software for energy management and a new modular control architecture (MCA) to accommodate FLXO, replacing the CCA.

Question 9

What does a battery string consist of?

Answer 9

1 string consists of 2 battery packs in series with each other.

Question 10

How many modules is a battery pack made of?

Answer 10

1 battery pack is made up of 22 modules.

Question 11

How many cell groups does a battery module contain?

Answer 11

Each module has 8 cell groups.

Question 12

How many battery cells make a cell group?

Answer 12

A cell group is made up of 3 cells.

Question 13

How many amp hours are in each cell?

Answer 13

Each cell is a 100Ah (amp hour) NMCA pouch cell.

Question 14

What is the battery power map?

Answer 14

Power at battery cell -> Goes through DC power conditioning (DC Link) -> Some power sent to various aux load inverters, some power sent to traction inverters -> From traction inverters the power goes through the cables, traction motors and gears.

Question 15

What is the target temperature for the batteries?

Answer 15

The target battery temperature is 25 degrees Celsius.

Question 16

What is the Multipack Manager (MPM) and what is its function?

Answer 16

The multipack manager is the “smarts” of the battery packs. Each individual battery pack will communicate its status through the MPM. The MPM is responsible for balancing the batteries SOC (State of Charge) and monitoring the internal battery pack gas sensors. Battery pack faults will be sent through the MPM.

Question 17

Explain the packaging of the 74V battery.

Answer 17

The low voltage battery box contains 48 cells packaged as one 74V battery.

Question 18

What is the design purpose of the BTMU cooling system?

Answer 18

The BTMU cooling system is designed to keep batteries within an acceptable range, up to 55°C.

Question 19

What is the coolant pressure level for the BTMU?

Answer 19

The coolant pressure level for the BTMU is 30 psi.

Question 20

How is the BTMU powered and where is it located?

Answer 20

The BTMU is powered from 2 x DC link inverters located above the blower cab.

Question 21

What kind of coolant system does the BTMU

Answer 21

The BTMU uses a pressurized coolant

Question 22

Where is the BTMU fill & drain box located and how is it accessed?

Answer 22

The BTMU fill & drain box is located on the B-side and is accessible from below the deck.

Question 23

How many pumps control the BTMU

Answer 23

The BTMU is controlled by 2 parallel pumps with two flowing circuits. This is to allow cooling of the batteries event in the event one pump fails

Question 24

What are the different modes of the BTMU?

Answer 24

The BTMU operates in three modes: Heating mode, Passive Cooling (like a standard radiator with direct heat exchange to ambient air), and Active Cooling (refrigerant cycle).

Question 25

What happens in the event of a BTMU failure?

Answer 25

A BTMU failure will shut the BEL down. A BTMU failure will require both cooling loops to fail.

Question 26

What material is used for the BTMU plumbing and what are its features?

Answer 26

The BTMU plumbing is made of stainless steel. It has 2 connections at each battery pack with quick disconnect. The battery packs have the ability to shut off the coolant, so the system doesn’t need to be drained to replace a battery pack.

Question 27

How is communication handled between the locomotives and the FLXO?

Answer 27

Communication between the locomotives will be through the trainline. There is the option for Wi-Fi communications for Autohaul and FLXO modes. PoC will be trialing “dumb” trail units with no energy management (FLXO)

Question 28

What is the function of the FLX Optimizer?

Answer 28

The FLXO is an advanced journey management system built on top of the Trip Optimizer. While the TO develops a plan to automate a train journey based on train/track data, the FLXO allows for independent control of each locomotive to maximize battery power/regeneration. Its algorithm prioritizes mission objectives to select the suitable operating mode.

Question 29

How does the FLX Optimizer interact with a locomotive that doesn’t have a Trip Optimizer?

Answer 29

If a locomotive doesn’t have a Trip Optimizer, it will listen to trainline commands.