Patent Application
20070241237
A more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments consistent with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention solve the problems in the art by providing a system, method, and computer software code for determining and implementing an automated set-up of a distributed power train. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that an apparatus, such as a data processing system, including a CPU, memory, I/O, program storage, a connecting bus, and other appropriate components, could be programmed or otherwise designed to facilitate the practice of the method of the invention. Such a system would include appropriate program means for executing the method of the invention.
Also, an article of manufacture, such as a pre-recorded disk or other similar computer program product for use with a data processing system, could include a storage medium and program means recorded thereon for directing the data processing system to facilitate the practice of the method of the invention. Such apparatus and articles of manufacture also fall within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Broadly speaking, the technical effect provides for a method, system, and computer software code for automated set-up of a distributed power train. To facilitate an understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is described hereinafter with reference to specific implementations thereof. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may use program modules that may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. For example, the software programs that underlie exemplary embodiments of the invention may be coded in different languages for use with different platforms.
Though exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed below as operating with hand-held devices, those skilled in the art will appreciate that exemplary embodiments of the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. These local and remote computing environments may be contained entirely within the locomotive, or adjacent locomotives in consist, or off-board in wayside or central offices where wireless communication is used.
Throughout this document the term locomotive consist is used. As used herein, a locomotive consist may be described as having one or more locomotives in succession, connected together so as to provide motoring and/or braking capability. The locomotives are connected together where no train cars are in between the locomotives. The train can have more than one consist in its composition. Specifically, there can be a lead consist, and more than one remote consists, such as midway in a line of cars and another remote consist at the end of the train. Each locomotive consist may have a first locomotive and trail locomotive(s). Though a locomotive consist is usually viewed as successive locomotives, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a consist group of locomotives may also be recognized as a locomotive consist even when at least a car separates the locomotives, such as when the locomotive consist is configured for distributed power operation, wherein throttle and braking commands are relayed from the lead locomotive to the remote trains by a radio link or physical cable. Towards this end, the term locomotive consist should be not be considered a limiting factor when discussing multiple locomotives within the same train.
Referring now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described.
At the locomotive consist 5, a second communication interface 24 is provided to receive and send communications between itself and the first communication interface 18 at the setup unit 10. Towards this end, the first communication interface 18 at the setup unit 10 is in communication with the distributed power system 20 wherein it can receive information from the distributed power system 20 and send commands to the distributed power system 20. Examples of the distributed power system include, but are not limited to Assignee's LOCOTROL® Locomotive System Integration (LSI) Electronics, or System, and/or other systems/equipment that functions with the LSI system.
In an exemplary use of the invention, an operator may use the setup unit 10 to input such information as, but not limited to, road numbers of the lead locomotive 21 and all remote locomotives 22 within the locomotive consist 5 to be linked, the orientation of each locomotive 21, 22 within the locomotive consist 5 (i.e., whether the locomotive's short hood or long hood is forward). By doing so, the locomotives will know which direction is forward since the locomotives 21, 22 may have either its respective short hood or long hood facing the direction the train shall motor.
The setup unit 10 may transmit this information to each distributed locomotive 21, 22 in the locomotive consist 5, or to the lead locomotive 21 which in turn would communicate with the remote locomotives 22. In one embodiment, the on-board distributed system 20 would only accept such data when the locomotives 21, 22 are not already linked. In another embodiment, the operator may override a prior link of the locomotives 21, 22 with new information.
The on-board distributed system 20 may accept the data and proceed with linking the locomotives 21, 22. The linking process could continue through completion of a train leakage test that confirms proper linking of the locomotives. The complete linking process could be completed without human intervention aboard any of the locomotives 21, 22 and prior to operators physically entering the train.
For example, with the LOCOTROL® LSI system, in an exemplary embodiment, information that may be provided on a display of the LSI system is also provided on a display on the setup unit 10. Based on how the LSI system functions, the remote locomotives in a locomotive consist are set up first. The lead locomotive 21 of the locomotive consist 5 is only set after all setups for the remote locomotives 22 are completed. The distributed power operations can also be shutdown using the exemplary embodiment of the invention. As discussed in more detail below with respects to
As further illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment connections between the setup unit 10 and the distributed power system 20 may be via radio and/or any other form of wireless communication. In another exemplary embodiment communication may take place via a wired connection. Communications between the setup unit 10 and the remote facility 7 may be via wireless communications and/or wired communications. For example, communications may occur using the Internet where dial-in-connections, cable modems, special high-speed IDSN lines, networks such as local area networks, wide area networks, etc. may be utilized. Furthermore when the setup unit 10 is used aboard the locomotive consist, such aboard the lead locomotive 21, the unit may be directly interfaced into the distributed power system 20 aboard the lead locomotive 21.
In addition to the parts of the setup unit 10 disclosed above, the setup unit 10 may also have a mass storage device 32 and memory 33. Towards this end, in addition to performing the functions disclosed above, the setup unit 10 may also store information regarding linking processes completed wherein data about prior linking processes may be later communicated to a remote facility.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/792,428 filed Apr. 17, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60792428 | Apr 2006 | US |
