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36-548: The EMD SW1500 is a 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) diesel-electric switcher locomotive built by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division from 1966 to 1974. The SW1500 replaced the SW1200 in the EMD product line. Many railroads regularly used SW1500s for road freight service. It is similar in appearance to the EMD SW1000 model which has a different engine and has one exhaust stack while

72-577: A New Generation of Vehicles was a cooperative research program between the U.S. government and "The Big Three" automobile manufacturers ( DaimlerChrysler , Ford and General Motors ) that developed diesel hybrid cars. Diesel–electric propulsion has been tried on some military vehicles , such as tanks . The German armored vehicles VK 45.01 (P) , Elefant , and Panzer VIII Maus of the Second World War were petrol-electric or diesel-electric propelled. The prototype TOG1 and TOG2 super heavy tanks of

108-437: A combination: Queen Mary 2 has a set of diesel engines in the bottom of the ship plus two gas turbines mounted near the main funnel; all are used for generating electrical power, including those used to drive the propellers . This provides a relatively simple way to use the high-speed, low-torque output of a turbine to drive a low-speed propeller, without the need for excessive reduction gearing. Most early submarines used

144-503: A direct mechanical connection between the combustion engine and propeller, switching between diesel engines for surface running and electric motors for submerged propulsion. This was effectively a "parallel" type of hybrid, since the motor and engine were coupled to the same shaft. On the surface, the motor (driven by the engine) was used as a generator to recharge the batteries and supply other electric loads. The engine would be disconnected for submerged operation, with batteries powering

180-660: A direct-drive diesel locomotive would require an impractical number of gears to keep the engine within its powerband; coupling the diesel to a generator eliminates this problem. An alternative is to use a torque converter or fluid coupling in a direct drive system to replace the gearbox. Diesel electric based buses have also been produced, including hybrid systems able to run on and store electrical power in batteries. The two main providers of hybrid systems for diesel–electric transit buses include Allison Transmission and BAE Systems . New Flyer Industries , Gillig Corporation , and North American Bus Industries are major customers for

216-537: A line of diesel electric-powered icebreakers in service with the United States Navy , United States Coast Guard , Royal Canadian Navy , Canadian Coast Guard and Soviet Navy from 1944 through the late 1970s. They were very effective ships: all except Eastwind served at least thirty years, and Northwind served in the USCG continuously for forty-four years. Considered the most technologically advanced icebreakers in

252-642: A petrol engine is paired with electric motors for this reason. Petrol engine produces most torque at high rpm, supplemented by electric motors' low rpm torque. The first diesel motorship was also the first diesel–electric ship, the Russian tanker Vandal from Branobel , which was launched in 1903. Steam turbine–electric propulsion has been in use since the 1920s ( Tennessee -class battleships ), using diesel–electric powerplants in surface ships has increased lately. The Finnish coastal defence ships Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen laid down in 1928–1929, were among

288-515: A removable front propeller used to create a wash to clear ice. (as originally fitted during World War II) Initially, the ships of the Wind-class carried the designation of either WAG for Coast Guard, Auxiliary, General, or, (the U.S. Navy) AGB for Auxiliary, General, Breaker. In 1949 all U.S. Coast Guard WAG s were redesignated WAGB s for Coast Guard, Auxiliary, General, Breaker. During 1965 and 1966, all U.S. Navy icebreakers were transferred to

324-502: A strategic need for rail engines without plumes of smoke above them. Diesel technology was not yet sufficiently developed but a few precursor attempts were made, especially for petrol–electric transmissions by the French (Crochat-Collardeau, patent dated 1912 also used for tanks and trucks) and British ( Dick, Kerr & Co and British Westinghouse ). About 300 of these locomotives, only 96 being standard gauge, were in use at various points in

360-413: Is sometimes termed electric transmission, as it is identical to petrol–electric transmission , which is used on vehicles powered by petrol engines, and to turbine–electric powertrain , which is used for gas turbines . Diesel–electric transmissions are a type of continuously variable transmission . The absence of a gearbox eliminates the need for gear changes, which prevents uneven acceleration caused by

396-413: Is that it avoids the need for a gearbox , by converting the mechanical force of the diesel engine into electrical energy (through an alternator ), and using the electrical energy to drive traction motors , which propel the vehicle mechanically. The traction motors may be powered directly or via rechargeable batteries , making the vehicle a type of hybrid electric vehicle . This method of transmission

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432-567: The Lend-Lease program. Returned to [REDACTED]   United States Navy in 1951, transferred to [REDACTED]   United States Coast Guard in 1952. USCGC Northwind (WAGB-282) This was the second icebreaker commissioned Northwind . The first Northwind was transferred to the USSR under Lend-Lease and became Staten Island upon her return to the United States. The name change

468-659: The United States Navy and another was built for the Royal Canadian Navy ; all eight vessels were eventually transferred to the United States Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard . The Wind-class ships were the first class of true icebreakers built by the United States. Gibbs & Cox of New York provided the designs with input from the Coast Guard's Naval Engineering Division. The final design

504-440: The 1930s, the system was adapted for streamliners , the fastest trains of their day. Diesel–electric powerplants became popular because they greatly simplified the way motive power was transmitted to the wheels and because they were both more efficient and had greatly reduced maintenance requirements. Direct-drive transmissions can become very complex, considering that a typical locomotive has four or more axles . Additionally,

540-727: The Allison EP hybrid systems, while Orion Bus Industries and Nova Bus are major customer for the BAE HybriDrive system. Mercedes-Benz makes their own diesel–electric drive system, which is used in their Citaro . The only bus that runs on single diesel–electric transmission is the Mercedes Benz Cito low floor concept bus which was introduced in 1998. Examples include: In the automobile industry, diesel engines in combination with electric transmissions and battery power are being developed for future vehicle drive systems. Partnership for

576-527: The SW1500 has two. Diesel-electric powertrain Diesel–electric transmission is used on railways by diesel–electric locomotives and diesel–electric multiple units , as electric motors are able to supply full torque from 0 RPM . Diesel–electric systems are also used in marine transport , including submarines, and on some other land vehicles. The defining characteristic of diesel–electric transmission

612-550: The Second World War used twin generators driven by V12 diesel engines. More recent prototypes include the SEP modular armoured vehicle and T95e . Future tanks may use diesel–electric drives to improve fuel efficiency while reducing the size, weight and noise of the power plant. Attempts with diesel–electric drives on wheeled military vehicles include the unsuccessful ACEC Cobra , MGV , and XM1219 armed robotic vehicle . Wind-class icebreaker The Wind-class icebreakers were

648-563: The U.S. Coast Guard. NB: The two Northwinds referenced below are not to be confused with one another. For Canada's Wind-class icebreaker, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) assigned Pennant Number AW 50 to the Canadian-built HMCS Labrador . Labrador served in RCN from 1954 to 1957. Labrador was then transferred to Department of Transport (DOT), recommissioned Canadian Government Ship (CGS) Labrador serving 1958 to 1962. She

684-500: The US made much use of diesel–electric transmission before 1945. After World War II, by contrast, it gradually became the dominant mode of propulsion for conventional submarines. However, its adoption was not always swift. Notably, the Soviet Navy did not introduce diesel–electric transmission on its conventional submarines until 1980 with its Paltus class . During World War I , there was

720-488: The conflict. In the 1920s, diesel–electric technology first saw limited use in switcher locomotives (UK: shunter locomotives ), locomotives used for moving trains around in railroad yards and assembling and disassembling them. An early company offering "Oil-Electric" locomotives was the American Locomotive Company (ALCO). The ALCO HH series of diesel–electric switcher entered series production in 1931. In

756-475: The diesel engine and the propeller that was initially common, the advantages were eventually found to be more important. One of several significant advantages is that it mechanically isolates the noisy engine compartment from the outer pressure hull and reduces the acoustic signature of the submarine when surfaced. Some nuclear submarines also use a similar turbo-electric propulsion system, with propulsion turbo generators driven by reactor plant steam. Among

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792-456: The disengagement of a clutch . With auxiliary batteries the motors can run on electric alone, for example when the noise or exhaust from the engine disrupts a clean air zone . Disadvantages of a diesel electric transmission are the potential complexity, cost, and decreased efficiency due to energy conversion. Diesel engines and electric motors are both known for having high torque at low rpm, this may leave high rpm with little torque. Typically

828-458: The electric motor and supplying all other power as well. In a true diesel–electric transmission arrangement, by contrast, the propeller or propellers are always driven directly or through reduction gears by one or more electric motors , while one or more diesel generators provide electric energy for charging the batteries and driving the motors. While this solution comes with a few disadvantages compared to direct mechanical connection between

864-523: The first surface ships to use diesel–electric transmission. Later, the technology was used in diesel powered icebreakers . In World War II, the United States Navy built diesel–electric surface warships. Due to machinery shortages destroyer escorts of the Evarts and Cannon classes were diesel–electric, with half their designed horsepower (The Buckley and Rudderow classes were full-power steam turbine–electric). The Wind -class icebreakers , on

900-399: The great power developed, their bow had the characteristic sloping forefoot that enabled her to ride up on heavy ice and break it with the weight of the vessel. Their stern was similarly shaped to facilitate breaking ice while backing down. The sides of the icebreaker were rounded, with marked tumblehome , that enabled the ship to break free from ice by heeling from side to side. Such heeling

936-597: The last of the Wind-class to be built. USCGC Staten Island (WAGB-278) Went to [REDACTED]   Soviet Navy in 1944 where she was known as Severni Veter (North wind) and since 1946 as Kapitan Belusov as part of the Lend-Lease program; returned to [REDACTED]   United States Navy in 1951 as Northwind , renamed Staten Island in 1952, then transferred to [REDACTED]   United States Coast Guard in 1966. USCGC Eastwind (WAGB-279) USCGC Southwind (WAGB-280) Sent to [REDACTED]   Soviet Navy in 1945 where she

972-442: The mid-1910s, the technology was immediately reintroduced when Sweden began to design its own submarines again in the mid-1930s. From that point onwards, diesel–electric transmission has been consistently used for all new classes of Swedish submarines, albeit supplemented by air-independent propulsion (AIP) as provided by Stirling engines beginning with HMS Näcken in 1988. Another early adopter of diesel–electric transmission

1008-545: The other hand, were designed for diesel–electric propulsion because of its flexibility and resistance to damage. Some modern diesel–electric ships, including cruise ships and icebreakers, use electric motors in pods called azimuth thrusters underneath to allow for 360° rotation, making the ships far more maneuverable. An example of this is Symphony of the Seas , the largest passenger ship as of 2019. Gas turbines are also used for electrical power generation and some ships use

1044-733: The pioneering users of true diesel–electric transmission was the Swedish Navy with its first submarine, HMS Hajen (later renamed Ub no 1 ), launched in 1904 and originally equipped with a semi-diesel engine (a hot-bulb engine primarily meant to be fueled by kerosene), later replaced by a true diesel. From 1909 to 1916, the Swedish Navy launched another seven submarines in three different classes ( 2nd class , Laxen class , and Braxen class ), all using diesel–electric transmission. While Sweden temporarily abandoned diesel–electric transmission as it started to buy submarine designs from abroad in

1080-501: The world when first built, the Wind-class icebreakers were also heavily armed; the first operator of the class was the United States Coast Guard , which used the vessels for much-needed coastal patrol off Greenland during World War II . Three of the vessels of the class, Westwind , Southwind , and the first Northwind all went on to serve temporarily for the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program, while two others were built for

1116-445: Was accomplished by shifting water rapidly from wing tanks on one side of the ship to the other. A total of 220 tons of water could be shifted from one side to the other in as little as 90 seconds, which induced a list of 10 degrees. Ballast could also be shifted rapidly between fore and aft tanks to change the trim of the ship. Diesel electric machinery was chosen for its controllability and resistance to damage, and they were fitted with

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1152-415: Was again transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and recommissioned CCGS Labrador , serving from 1962 to 1987. Labrador was not fitted with any weapons systems. Labrador possessed all the general characteristics of her American-built sister ships, but was much improved with state-of-the-art gear at the time (1951). Labrador was the only Canadian Wind-class icebreaker to be constructed, and also

1188-620: Was heavily influenced by studies conducted by then LCDR Edward Thiele , USCG (later RADM, and Engineer in Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard) of foreign icebreakers, namely the Swedish Ymer , built in 1931, and the Soviet Krasin . Seven ships of the class were built in the United States, and one modified version, HMCS Labrador , was built in Canada. State of the art when designed, their hull

1224-540: Was known as Admiral Makarov as part of the Lend-Lease program. Returned to [REDACTED]   United States Navy in 1950 as the USS Atka , then transferred in 1966 to [REDACTED]   United States Coast Guard where she was known as the USCGC Southwind . USCGC Westwind (WAGB-281) Sent to [REDACTED]   Soviet Navy in 1945 where she was known as Severni Polius (North pole) as part of

1260-402: Was of unprecedented strength and structural integrity. The outer hull plating was constructed with 1-5/8 inch thick high tensile steel and they had a double bottom above the waterline with the two "skins" being approximately 15 inches apart, insulated with cork. Framing was closely spaced and the entire hull was designed for great strength. With a relatively short length in proportion to

1296-745: Was the United States Navy , whose Bureau of Steam Engineering proposed its use in 1928. It was subsequently tried in the S-class submarines S-3 , S-6 , and S-7 before being put into production with the Porpoise class of the 1930s. From that point onwards, it continued to be used on most US conventional submarines. Apart from the British U-class and some submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy that used separate diesel generators for low speed running, few navies other than those of Sweden and

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