Analysis of ways of increasing the energy efficiency of traction electric transmission of shunting diesel locomotive

The article is devoted to the problems of increasing the energy efficiency of traction electric transmission of a shunting diesel locomotive. In the context of rising fuel costs, to maintain the competitiveness of rail transport, the issue of energy efficiency of the traction rolling stock, which accounts for about 90% of the total consumption of hydrocarbons by rail, is quite acute. At present, a number of measures have been investigated to improve the efficiency of diesel engines of  locomotives, which allows getting an increase in the efficiency at the level of 1-5%. The use of new efficient types of electromechanical transducers with static converters, in turn, also enables us to reduce fuel and lubricant consumption by a diesel locomotive. However, solving the problem of energy efficiency in traction transmission of a locomotive requires a comprehensive approach. One of such approaches is the application of new types of diesel generator sets for locomotives – free-piston combustion engines with linear generators. The application of new designs of thermal engines makes it possible to significantly extend the possible limits of increasing the efficiency of diesel traction.