SwRI Past Project: Design of a New Generation Locomotive Diesel Engine

SwRI Project:	03-8702
Client:	Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stockworks (Identity released per client approval)
Duration:	19 Months

	Graphic of locomotive engine

Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works (DLRW), the People?s Republic of China?s largest locomotive manufacturer, contracted with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to design a high output, minimum weight, highly reliable diesel engine to be used in a new class of locomotives. The new engine is rated 4,410 kW at 1,000 RPM that represents a 50 percent increase in power level over existing locomotive engines. As engine power ratings increase and the number of locomotives per train decrease, reliability per engine becomes more critical. Because the weight and package size of the diesel engine must remain essentially the same because of locomotive dimensional constraints, this represents a major challenge for the engine designer.

SwRI worked closely with DLRW in both conceptual and definitive design phases to produce a totally new engine design. The new design was verified with a variety of analysis techniques prior to the prototyping stage including finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics analysis (CFD), combustion and engine cycle simulation, port flow testing, tribological studies, and kinematic and dynamic studies. Manufacturing drawings and tolerances were also created as part of the project, and SwRI continues to play a consultant role as the prototypes are created and tested.

For more information about new generation locomotive diesel engine capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Mark Tussing at mtussing@swri.org or (210) 522-2628.