The invention relates generally to railroad friction enhancing systems and more particularly methods and systems for automatically limiting the amount of sand applied a railroad rail for enhancing the adhesion between locomotive wheels and the rail.
Locomotives and transit vehicles as well as other large traction vehicles are commonly powered by electric traction motors coupled in driving relationship to one or more axles of the vehicle. Locomotives and transit vehicles generally have at least four axle-wheel sets per vehicle with each axle-wheel set being connected via suitable gearing to the shaft of a separate electric motor commonly referred to as a traction motor. In the motoring mode of operation, the traction motors are supplied with electric current from a controllable source of electric power (e.g., an engine-driven traction alternator) and apply torque to the vehicle wheels which exert tangential force or tractive effort on the surface on which the vehicle is traveling (e.g., the parallel steel rails of a railroad track), thereby propelling the vehicle in a desired direction along the right of way.
Maximum tractive or braking effort is obtained if each powered wheel of the vehicle is rotating at such an angular velocity that its actual peripheral speed is slightly higher (motoring) than the true vehicle speed (i.e., the linear speed at which the vehicle is traveling, usually referred to as “ground speed” or “track speed”). The difference between tractive wheel speed and track speed is referred to as “creepage” or “creep speed.” There is a variable value of creepage at which peak tractive effort is realized. This value, commonly known as the optimal creep setpoint is a variable that depends on track speed and rail conditions. So long as the allowable creepage is not exceeded, this controlled wheel slip is normal and the vehicle will operate in a stable microslip or creeping mode. If wheel-to-rail adhesion tends to be reduced or lost, some or all of the tractive wheels may slip excessively, i.e., the actual creep speed may be greater than the maximum creep speed. Such a gross wheel slip condition, which is characterized in the motoring mode by one or more spinning axle-wheel sets, can cause accelerated wheel wear, rail damage, high mechanical stresses in the drive components of the propulsion system, and an undesirable decrease of tractive effort.
The peak tractive effort limits the pulling/braking capability of the locomotive. This peak tractive effort is a function of various parameters, such as weight of the locomotive per axle, wheel rail material and geometry, and contaminants like snow, water, grease, insects and rust. Contaminants in the wheel/rail interface reduce the maximum adhesion available, even at the optimal creep setpoint.
Locomotives used for heavy haul applications typically must produce high tractive efforts. Good adhesion between each wheel and the surface of a railroad rail contributes to the efficient operation of the locomotive. The ability to produce high tractive efforts depends on the available or potential adhesion between the wheel and rail. Many rail conditions such as being wet or covered with snow or ice require an application of friction enhancing agent such as sand to improve or enhance the adhesion of the wheel to the rail. Therefore, locomotives typically have sand boxes on either end of the locomotives, and nozzles to dispense the sand to the rail on either side of a locomotive truck.
Locomotives may enhance the adhesion between their wheels and the railroad rail by initiating a flow of sand from the sand boxes to the rail surface. The flow of sand may be initiated in response to one or more conditions being met such as one or more wheel axels slipping. When such condition is met, typical sanding systems will activate a flow of sand through two sand applicators located in front of each of two locomotive trucks when the locomotive is moving forward. Sand is thus dispensed at a fixed rate through four sand applicators each time there is a demand for sanding from the locomotive controller. Sand is typically dispensed for a set period of time, which frequently results in more sand being dispensed than necessary to maximize adhesion between the locomotive wheels and the railroad rail.
Dispensing more sand than is necessary is wasteful and may cause sand to be delivered to areas that are undesirable. For example, typical systems that automatically or manually dispense sand in response to a condition being met may cause sand to get into switches, track circuits or drains, for example, which may damage equipment or lead to malfunctions.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and method for automatically controlling the application of sand to the rail by railway locomotives. Such a system and method monitors and assesses various factors and parameters for the purpose of limiting the amount of sand dispensed for enhancing adhesion between locomotive wheels and the surface of a railroad rail. The amount of sand applied to a rail may be limited by monitoring operational parameters of a locomotive and discontinuing or reducing a flow of sand based on those operational parameters.
Chart 400 in
In this illustration, a locomotive is applying 17,000 pounds of tractive effort. However, at point 406 the rail is wet and the locomotive wheels are experiencing a per unit creep of more than 0.14. Sand is applied immediately prior to the advancing wheel of the locomotive. As a result, at point 408 tractive effort is increased to 20,000 pounds and per unit creep is reduced to less than 0.03. If the sand application is later removed, the operating point returns from point 408 to the prior operating point 406.
Referring now to
Exemplary parameters 610 may include operational parameters associated with locomotive 122 such as speed, tractive effort (TE), throttle or notch setting, wheel speed, rate of acceleration or deceleration, braking condition, force, wheel slip/slide, fuel consumption, wheel creep, engine horsepower, traction motor torque and a sanding effectiveness. These may be based on a per axle, per truck, or per locomotive basis. In one aspect of the invention sanding effectiveness may be expresses in terms of tractive effort as described herein below.
Auxiliary information or data 604, as well as operational parameters 610, may be used in aspects of the invention as input for controlling or limiting the amount of sand applied to railroad rails by a train such as locomotive 122. Exemplary data 604 may include consist/train length, train weight, track map, geographical location of a train, track topography, track grade, track curvature, rail temperature, physical characteristics of a rail such as being dry, wet, greasy or oily, whether conditions such as rain, snow or ice, the presence of rail modifiers on rail, both the current and forecasted weather, train schedules or external commands from operators or dispatch centers.
As shown in
Exemplary embodiments allow for a locomotive or a railway car to be equipped with an applicator 612 that is responsive to controller 606. Applicator 612 applies a friction-modifying agent, such as sand 613 to the rail at an area of contact between one or more railway wheels and the rails on which they are traversing. Friction modifying agents 613 may be enhanced adhesion materials such as sand, or the removal of snow or water from the rail. Friction reducing agents may be water, steam, air, oil, a lubricant, or may be the removal of sand, water, snow or a friction-enhancing agent that exists on the rail at the time. In either case, cleaning the rail with a brush, or with water or air, may be friction enhancing or friction reducing depending on the existing state of the rail.
Controller 606 may be configured to analyze these and other operational parameters 602 and auxiliary data 604 to determine the appropriate timing and quantity of friction modifying agent 613 to be applied. For example, the amount of friction modifying agent 613 applied by applicator 612 may be optimized based on the length of the train and the weather conditions such that the modifying agent 613 is consumed or dissipated by the time the last car in a train configuration passes the point of application of modifying agent 613.
In an embodiment of the invention, a train configuration may have a plurality of applicators 612 located at positions that are before the wheels of locomotive 122 regardless of the direction of travel. As a locomotive may work in the forward or reverse directions, locomotive 122 may be configured with friction-modifying agent applicators 612 at both ends of the vehicle. Additionally, applicators 612 may be applied to the leading end or the trailing end of locomotive 122 or a railway car for application of a friction-modifying agent 613. For example,
Applicators 612 may be configured on locomotive 122 so friction modifying agent 613 is applied to defined points of application. As such, there may be a plurality of applicators 612 on one or more railway vehicles within a train consist. Applicators 612 may be configured to apply friction-modifying agent 613 to the wheel flange, the wheel rim, the top of the rail (TOR) and/or to the rail gage side (RAGS). Controller 606 determines the type, timing and quantity of the friction-modifying agent 613 to be applied. Controller 606 may select one or more applicators 612 from among a plurality of applicators 612 located on locomotive 122 and/or a railway car to apply agent 613 and the points of application on the rail to which it will be applied.
A plurality of applicators 612 may be positioned on one or more locomotives and/or railway cars to optimize friction management of a train consist. A train consist is typically comprised of a lead motoring locomotive, one or more optional secondary motoring locomotives, an optional trailing motoring locomotive positioned at a point distant from the lead and secondary motoring locomotives, and one or more railway cars. An applicator 612, and therefore the application of friction modifying agent 61, may be positioned as a lead applicator of the lead motoring locomotive, a trailing applicator of the lead motoring locomotive, a lead applicator of the secondary motoring locomotive, a trailing applicator of the secondary motoring locomotive, a lead applicator of the trailing motoring locomotive, a trailing applicator of the trailing motoring locomotive, a lead applicator of a railway car, or a trailing applicator of a railway car. Other combinations will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
Controller 606 may communicate by one or more communication systems or links (not shown) among the controller 606, locomotives and railway cars for controlling application of a friction-modifying agent such as sand, for example.
Secondary locomotive 704 is configured with applicator 714 at the leading end of the locomotive 704. Controller 606 controls the application of friction-modifying agents 613 by applicator 714 based on the determined need. In some situations, controller 606 may determine that agent 613 applied by applicator 712 on the leading locomotive 702 is sufficient for both the lead 702 and secondary 704 locomotive. This may be the case when water, snow or ice is on the track and applicator 712 is controlled to remove the water, snow or ice. However, where a steep incline is encountered, controller 606 may control applicators 712 and 714 to apply a friction-enhancing agent 613 such as sand to the top of the rail.
Also as shown in
Referring now to
For instance, if a lubricant is applied by applicator 716, controller 606 may determine that applicator 802 need not apply a neutralizing agent if it is raining and another train is not scheduled to traverse the same rail 710 for an hour or more. Additionally, if controller 606 can determine the optimal amounts of friction-modifying agent 613 to be applied to rail 710 by applicator 716 based on parameters 610 and/or auxiliary data 604, such as the length of the train and the weather conditions, then modifying agent 613 may be consumed or dissipated by the time the last car in a train configuration passes. In such cases, there will not be a need to cleanse the track by applicator 802.
Now referring to
Referring to
In other situations, applicator 1004 may be instructed to apply the neutralizing agent to dry the rail that increases the coefficient of friction or may be instructed to apply sand if necessary for a particular section of rail 710 or track grade. Trailing locomotive 1002 may be configured with an applicator 716 as discussed earlier. Additionally, railway cars 706 trailing from the trailing locomotive 1002 may be equipped with applicator 802 to cleanse the rail 710 after the train has passed.
Controller 606 may receive operating parameters 610 from one or more sensors 602 on the train, or associated with the train. Additionally, controller 606 may receive auxiliary data 604 from other sources that affect the management and optimization of the friction between the railway wheels and the rail.
In an exemplary embodiment, controller 606 instructs at 1114 one or more applicators 612 to apply the desired agents 613. In this case,
As noted in
From this data, controller 606 determines the type, quantity, dispensation rate, and location 1112 for applying a friction reducing material 1212. As with the prior example, controller 606, by receiving input with respect to one or more parameters 610 and/or auxiliary data 604, may determine that a friction-reducing agent should not be applied. For example, if the tractive effort is high or there is a high grade 1202, if the friction is already low 1204, if there is a braking operation 1206, if there is a low speed operation 1208, or if the effectiveness detection has been disabled, then the controller 606 may end the process.
In another exemplary embodiment, data related to the length/weight/power of a train consist may be used to determine the timing and the quantity of a friction-modifying agent 613 to be applied to the rails. A track map based on a CAD system and a GPS location may be used by controller 606 to determine when, how much and what type of agent 613 is to be applied. Furthermore, computer aided dispatch systems that gather and analyze train parameter information including the length of the train, weight of the train, the speed of the train and the applied power may be used as an input of auxiliary data 604 to determine when and how much friction modifying agent 613 to apply. A train scheduler/movement planner system and/or RR dispatcher to determine train characteristics are also contemplated as input to the controller 606's decision making process.
Another parameter 610 that may be utilized by controller 606 is an inertia estimate that may be based on tractive effort, track grade, locomotive speed and/or position. The inertia of a train may be determined by the acceleration change per tractive effort change assuming the track grade has not changed. The track grade may be compensated for if known. The acceleration may be obtained from sensor 602 on board a locomotive. The tractive effort is the estimate of force, which can be obtained typically from current and voltage measurements on the traction motors (not shown) or it could be obtained from other direct sensors such as sensor 602. The track grade could be obtained from inclinometers or could be assumed to be the same if the measurements are done over a short period of time. Another technique could use the position of the train, possibly as determined by an on-board GPS receiver to obtain speed and/or track grade. Another technique could use the track map information based on GPS, operator inputs or side transponders.
Other parameters 610 that may be utilized by controller 606 are speed, throttle setting, and/or tractive effort. The dispensation of both high adhesion material and low adhesion material may be optimized based on operation of the locomotive. For example, when the consist or train operator calls for high tractive effort (high notch/low speed) then an embodiment allows for only applicators 712, 714 and 1004 to be enabled. If the tractive effort produced is what the operator has requested, then there is no need to add friction-increasing materials. Most of the fuel efficiency benefits are at high speeds (when tractive effort is low). Under these conditions, applicators 716 and 902 may be enabled and optionally applicator 802 may be enabled.
The condition of rail 710 is another parameter 610 or item of auxiliary data 604 that may be used to determine optimal friction management. In order to optimize the cost, the dispensing of friction modifying agents 612 can be controlled based on the rail conditions. For example, if rail 710 is dry and clean, then there may be no need to dispense high adhesion material. Similarly, when there is rain/snow, it may not be necessary to dispense friction-lowering material since the reduction in friction may not be appreciable. Another example is if it is raining or rain is expected before the next train, then there may not be a need to remove low friction material from the rails. These rail conditions could be inferred based on sensors 602 already on board based on adhesion/creep curves, or could be based on additional sensors 602, or inputs from a dispatch center, operators, external transponders, weather satellites, etc.
For rail cars 706 and or idle wheels, creep could be used to estimate the friction coefficient. A separate sensor 602 could be used to determine the coefficient of friction. These sensors 602 could be placed at every point where friction lowering material dispensing is applied or at the end of the locomotive consist. Similarly, friction sensors 602, or creep of the last wheel(s), may be used for dispensing neutralizing friction-modifying material from applicator 802 in the exemplary embodiment of
During distributed power operation, the dispensing of adhesion lowering material in the lead consist may depend on the number/weight of load cars between the lead consist and the trail consist (information of cars between applicators 716 and 1004 in
Referring to
Appropriate aspects of the invention may be provided on computer readable mediums known in the art that may be executed by controller 606 and/or control system 220. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may use controller 606 and control system 220 singly or in combination depending on a train consist's configuration and other design specifications. For example, locomotive control system 220 may be contained on a lead locomotive 122 with a plurality of controllers 606 deployed on respective locomotives dispersed in a consist. Data may be transmitted among control system 220 and controllers 606 using known telecommunications methods and hardware. Other configurations will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
Returning to
An aspect of the invention allows for automatically controlling a flow of sand applied to one or both of the rails by sanding system 200 shown in
In this respect, control system 220 may programmed to independently control air reservoir 202, air valves 208, 210, and sand valves 212-214 so that the flow of sand passes through respective nozzles 102-116 (each nozzle may be referred to as a point of sanding) either simultaneously, individually or in any combination thereof. For example, if locomotive 122 is moving forward it may be desirable to dispense the flow of sand through nozzle pair 102, 104 and pair 110, 112 simultaneously to achieve a desired increase in sanding effectiveness. In other situations it may be desirable to alternate the flow of sand between these nozzle pairs or direct the flow of sand through one pair only. It will be appreciated that the specific combination of individual nozzles or nozzle pairs dispensing sand onto one or both railroad rails may be a function of achieving a desired increase in sanding effectiveness. Independently controlling the flow of sand through nozzles 102-116 helps to limit the amount of sand applied to the rails. This may reduce the risk of environmental damage and the malfunctioning of railroad hardware such as yard or crossing switches. It is known that applying too much sand to such railroad hardware may cause damage to that hardware.
Operational parameters 610, such as throttle speed or notch, tractive effort (TE), locomotive speed, and locomotive acceleration and deceleration may be monitored and used as conditions for applying sand to the rails. In this aspect, monitored operational parameters 610, as well as auxiliary information 604, may be used to predict a potential increase in adhesion for applying sand to the rails or they may be used as conditions for initiating the application of sand, increasing or decreasing a flow of sand or not applying sand to the rails.
In one aspect, if control system 220 or operator of locomotive 122 is calling for full power (Notch8 or TE8) and other conditions are met then a flow of sand may be automatically applied to the rails. For example, if full power is called, locomotive 122 is not producing full power and one or more wheels of trucks 124, 126 are slipping then sand may be automatically applied forward of one or more trucks 124, 126 when locomotive 122 is moving in a forward direction. Sand may be applied using any combination of sand applicators 102, 104 and sand applicators 110, 112. Calling for full power may be a predictor, provided other conditions are met, that an increase in adhesion may be obtained if sand is applied to the rails. When locomotive 122 reaches a predetermined speed then the flow of sand may be stopped regardless of other operational parameter 610 values or those parameter values may indicate that sanding should continue at a constant or adjusted flow rate using the same or other sand applicators.
Tractive effort is typically measured in pounds as indicated in
Another exemplary embodiment allows for automatically controlling a flow of sand through one or more nozzles 102-116 in response to locomotive 122 traveling below a threshold speed or when locomotive 122 is decelerating regardless of the value of other operational parameters 610 and/or the state of auxiliary information 604. As with tractive effort, the threshold speed value may be a preselected value entered by an operator into a programming module of control system 220 or it may be a variable value called from memory 608. The variable threshold value may be called from a lookup table and be a function of various operational parameters 610 and/or auxiliary information 604.
Another exemplary embodiment allows for automatically controlling a flow of sand through one or more nozzles 102-116 in response to a sanding effectiveness measured after a quantity of sand has been applied to the railroad rails. In this aspect, the sanding effectiveness may be expressed in terms of an increase in tractive effort after applying the sand. For example, if locomotive 122 is traversing a set of railroad rails producing 120 k pounds of tractive effort (TE1) then automatic sanding may be controlled to dispense a flow of sand onto the rails through nozzle pairs 102, 104 and 110, 112. After an interval of time has elapsed from beginning the sanding the tractive effort may be measured by control system 220 using know techniques. If the measured tractive effort is 180 k pounds (TE2) then the sanding effectiveness in terms of tractive effort (TESE) is equal to 60 k pounds. Control system 220 may be programmed to continue the flow of sand at a constant rate provided the sanding effectiveness exceeds a threshold value, e.g., 60 k pounds. If the measured sanding effectiveness falls below 60 k pounds then control system 220 may reduce or stop the flow of sand, or dispense sand through other sand applicators. Directing the flow through fewer nozzles 102-116 or points of sanding may reduce the flow of sand.
By way of further example referring to
It will be appreciated that the exemplary operational parameters 610 of throttle speed, tractive effort, locomotive speed, locomotive deceleration and sanding effectiveness may be used individually, collectively or in any combination as conditions for determining whether to apply compressed air to the railroad rails, when to apply sand to the rails, the number of points of sanding, the flow rate of sand and duration of sanding, for example. It will also be appreciated that threshold values for each operational parameter 610 may be established based on a variety of factors such as the number of locomotives in a consist, total number of cars in a consist, weather conditions and as well as other factors described herein that will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention may use one or more pieces of auxiliary information 604, such as the geographical location of locomotive 122, as a condition for limiting the amount of sand applied to railroad rails. For example, it may be advantageous to apply sand or not apply sand to the rails when locomotive 122 is in certain geographical locations regardless of the value of operational parameters 610 and/or the state of auxiliary information 604. Such geographical locations may include locomotive 122 entering or being within a maintenance yard, passing mechanical or electrical rail switches at crossings, passing wayside greasers, traversing mountain passes or traveling through environmentally sensitive locations.
Control system 220 may be programmed or activated to permit or not permit sand to be applied to the rails depending on the geographical location of locomotive 122. For example, control system 220 may permit automatic sanding in certain geographical areas, such as going up a hill where no railroad hardware is located along the tracks. When locomotive 122 is in such an area then automatic sanding is permitted and may begin provided other conditions are met. Exemplary conditions, among others, may be full power being called when locomotive 122 is not producing full power and one or more wheels of trucks 124, 126 are slipping, or locomotive 122 has not reached a predetermined speed.
Similarly, control system 220 may be programmed or activated to not permit sanding in certain geographical areas, such as locomotive 122 passing by railroad hardware located along a section of track, or being within a maintenance yard. In this aspect, no sanding will be permitted regardless of the conditions of operational parameters 610 and/or other auxiliary information 604. Control system 220 may be programmed with data indicative of those geographical areas where sanding may be permitted or not permitted, or an operator may control system 220 in response to the location of locomotive 122. Data indicative of such geographical areas may be transmitted to control system 220 via GPS, transmitters positioned along a set of railroad tracks over which locomotive 122 is traversing or other means recognized by those skilled in the art.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention allows for determining or measuring wheel slippage of locomotive 122 and using wheel slippage as a condition for controlling the application of sand to the railroad rails to increase or enhance adhesion of locomotive 122 on the rails. In one aspect, a first quantity of wheel slippage of locomotive 122 may be determined when locomotive 122 is traversing a set of railroad rails. The first quantity of wheel slippage may be any detectable quantity or it may be a threshold quantity value. Wheel slippage is proportionally related to tractive effort. The higher the tractive effort the less wheel slippage will be detectable.
If the first quantity of wheel slippage is detected or exceeds a threshold value then control system 220 may be programmed to apply a flow of compressed air toward the railroad rails to clean their respective surfaces to increase adhesion between the wheels and the rails. The flow of compressed air may be applied to clean the rails ahead of the forward or lead wheels of one or both trucks 124, 126 of locomotive 122. Air reservoir 202 (
Under certain operating conditions, applying a flow of compressed air to the rails may eliminate wheel slippage while locomotive 122 is traversing the rails. Another aspect allows for determining a second quantity of wheel slippage of locomotive 122. The second quantity of wheel slippage may be determined after a time interval has elapsed from when the flow of compressed air was initiated. The flow of compressed air may be continuous or intermittent. If a second quantity of wheel slippage is detected or exceeds a second threshold value control system 220 may be programmed to automatically control a flow of sand applied to one or both of the railroad rails.
The flow of sand may be applied through one or more nozzles 102-116 selected by control system 220. Control system 220 may be programmed to select a combination of nozzles 102-116 based on one or more operational parameters 610 and/or auxiliary information 604, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, when the second quantity of wheel slippage exceeds a second threshold value control system 220 may apply two points of sanding ahead of the forward wheels of truck 124 using a first set of sand applicators 102, 104 when locomotive 122 is moving in a forward direction.
Another aspect allows for determining a third quantity of wheel slippage of locomotive 122. The third quantity of wheel slippage may be determined after a time interval has elapsed from when the flow of sand was initiated. If a third quantity of wheel slippage is detected or exceeds a third threshold value control system 220 may be programmed to automatically control a flow of sand applied to one or both of the railroad rails.
The flow of sand may be applied through one or more nozzles 102-116 selected by control system 220. Control system 220 may be programmed to select a combination of nozzles 102-116 based on one or more operational parameters 610 and/or auxiliary information 604, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, when the third quantity of wheel slippage exceeds a third threshold value control system 220 may increase the flow of sand from two points of sanding to four points of sanding so that sand is applied in front of each of the forward wheels of each of respective trucks 124, 126. Thus, a first set of sand applicators 102, 104 and a second set of sand applicators 110, 112 will apply sand to the rails ahead of the forward wheels of trucks 124, 126 with locomotive 122 moving in a forward direction.
Another aspect allows for measuring the sanding effectiveness after a flow of sand has been applied to the rails in response to the detection of wheel slippage. Control system 220 may be programmed to measure the tractive effort continuously or at predetermined intervals, for example, after the flow of sand has been initiated and then calculate the sanding effectiveness (TE2·−TE1=TESE). If a desired sanding effectiveness is not achieved then control system 220 may automatically vary the flow rate of sand by reducing the number of points of sanding, i.e., changing from four points of sanding (nozzles 102, 104 and 110, 112) to two points of sanding (nozzles 102, 104), or from two points of sanding (nozzles 102, 104) to no sanding.
Similarly, if wheel slippage is detected when compressed air is being applied to the railroad rails then control system 220 may automatically begin sanding through two points of sanding (nozzles 102, 104). If a desired sanding effectiveness is not achieved then control system 220 may discontinue sanding but continue to apply compressed air to the rails.
Another aspect of the invention allows for using monitored operational parameters 610 and/or auxiliary information 604 as a condition for applying sand to the rails or not applying sand in addition to detecting wheel slippage. If a quantity of wheel slippage is detected then control system 220 may determine whether one or more operational parameters 610 exceeds or is below a threshold value. If so, then control system 220 may automatically control a flow of sand through selected points of sanding in response to the detected wheel slippage and monitored operational parameter 610.
Similarly, if wheel slippage is detected and auxiliary information 604 satisfies predetermined criteria then control system 220 may automatically control the flow of sand. For example, if wheel slippage is detected and locomotive 122 is going up a grade then control system 220 may automatically begin a flow of sand using four points of sanding (nozzles 102, 104 and 110, 112). Sanding effectiveness may then be measured and control system 220 may adjust the flow rate of sand or number of points of sanding, for example, in response to the measured sanding effectiveness. Other exemplary auxiliary information 604 may include the physical characteristics of the railroad rails such as being dry, wet or oily.
Another exemplary method may include the situation where if locomotive 122 is operating at a low speed, such as below 10 mph, full tractive effort is called for by the locomotive 122 operator or control system 220, and at least one wheel on one or both trucks 124, 126 is slipping then compressed air may be applied to the rail ahead of the at least one slipping wheel. If the at least one wheel is still slipping after applying compressed air then control system 220 may measure the tractive effort being produced by locomotive 122 to determine if it is below a threshold value, such as 120 k lbs., for example. If the tractive effort is below the threshold value and locomotive 122 is decelerating then control system 220 may independently control sand applicators 102-116 to apply sand to at least one rail ahead of the at least one slipping wheel. For example, two points of sanding may be applied ahead of wheels on truck 124 using sanding applicators 102, 104.
Further, while sand is being applied to the at least one rail control system 220 may determine whether a threshold value of sanding effectiveness is being achieved (TE2·−TE1=TESE). If a desired sanding effectiveness is being achieved then control system 220 may continue the two points of sanding (sand applicators 102, 104) and if it is not being achieved then control system 220 may discontinue sanding. If the desired sanding effectiveness is being achieved then control system 220 may measure the tractive effort being produced by locomotive 122 to determine if it is below a threshold value, such as 140 k lbs., for example. If the tractive effort is below the threshold value and locomotive 122 is still decelerating then control system 220 may independently control sand applicators 102-116 to apply sand to additional points on the at least one rail. For example, control system 220 may now apply sand using four points of sanding ahead of wheels on truck 124, 126 using sanding applicators 102, 104 and 110, 112.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide for control system 220 to be programmed to control the flow rate of sand flowing through one or more nozzles 102-116. In one aspect, control system 220 may control metering valves 205, 207 that cooperate with respective sand boxes 204, 206 shown in
Aspects of the invention allow for upgrading or retrofitting legacy locomotives to improve the locomotive's tractive effort rating and be equipped with hardware and software for implementing aspects of the invention. Improving the tractive effort rating of locomotives in service is beneficial because with improved tractive effort the locomotive's sanding system may limit the amount of sand applied to rails if that system's decision making criteria for sanding is based at least in part on tractive effort.
A locomotive's tractive effort rating may be increased or improved by replacing a traction motor of the locomotive or installing a software module for controlling operational parameters of the locomotive affecting the tractive effort rating of the locomotive. A legacy locomotive may have its tractive effort rating increased in this manner and be equipped with hardware and software enabling that locomotive to implement embodiments of the invention.
The technical effect of embodiments of the invention is to control a locomotive's sanding system so that the amount of sand applied to railroad rails is limited to those situations where applying sand would be effective to increase the adhesion between the locomotive wheels and the railroad rails by a predetermined incremental amount.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/606,722 filed on Jun. 26, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,058 which claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 60/419,673 filed on Oct. 18, 2002 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/606,723 filed on Jun. 26, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,888 which claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 60/391,743 filed on Jun. 26, 2002 U.S. application Ser. No. 10/606,722 and U.S. application Ser. No 10/606,723 are incorporated herein by reference.
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Parent | 10606722 | Jun 2003 | US |
Child | 11059910 | US | |
Parent | 10606723 | Jun 2003 | US |
Child | 10606722 | US |