Methods and system for generating electrical power from a pressurized fluid source

This invention relates generally to generating electrical power and, more particularly, to using a fluid under pressure to generate electrical power where the fluid under pressure is also being used for other purposes and the amount of pressurized fluid available to generate electrical power varies. For example compressed air used in a rail car braking system. A pressurized fluid system provides electrical power to a load and includes a fluid motor, a generator, an energy storage device and a controller. The system supplies fluid to the fluid motor, which provides a generator with power producing a voltage used to supply power to a load and provide energy to the energy storage device. The controller selects which of various sources within the system provides fluid to the fluid motor based on the operating mode of the system. When fluid supplied to the fluid motor is discontinued, the energy storage device discharges providing power to the load.