SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING A FUEL-SUPPLY SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH A LOCOMOTIVE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a locomotive, and more particularly, to a system for remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive.

BACKGROUND

Locomotives typically employ control systems for monitoring their performance and operation over a railroad. Some of these control systems may present an operator with statistical data, graphical data, and/or virtual representations of performance related to various systems of the locomotive. However, operators of locomotives may sometimes be remotely located and it may be helpful if the operator can be provided with wireless options that help facilitate the operator to remotely control the locomotive and/or a fuel supply system associated with the locomotive.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,380,361 (hereinafter referred to as '361 patent) discloses a remote control system for controlling movement of a train. The remote control system includes one or more sensors positioned relative to a railroad track for detecting the presence of a lead railcar on the track being pushed by a remotely controllable locomotive. The one or more sensors are spaced a distance from a predetermined stop location of a lead railcar and transmit signals when the lead railcar is detected on the track. A programmable controller positioned off-board or wayside receives signals from the one or more sensors and is in radio communication with an onboard operating system of the locomotive. The controller transmits a signal to the locomotive when the lead railcar is detected by a sensor, and in response to the signal the operating system of the locomotive sets a maximum speed setting for the locomotive to travel on the track toward the stop location.

Although the remote control system disclosed by the '361 patent is designed for setting up a maximum speed setting for the locomotive, it does not provide any wirelessly executable options that can prevent inadvertent operation of a locomotive system in the event of an abnormality pertaining to the performance of the locomotive.

Hence, there is a need for a system that overcomes the afore-mentioned shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive includes multiple detectors positioned on board the locomotive and the fuel-supply system. The detectors are configured to generate a warning signal upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system. The system further includes a controller that is remotely located and communicably coupled to each of the detectors. The controller is configured to receive the warning signal from at least one of the detectors, the warning signal being indicative of the abnormality. The controller is also configured to provide, at a graphical user interface (GUI), a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of abnormality detected. The controller is then configured to operably actuate a relay associated with the fuel supply system on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive includes generating, by at least one detector, a warning signal upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system. The method further includes receiving, at a controller, the warning signal indicative of the abnormality; and providing, at a graphical user interface (GUI), a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of the detected abnormality. The method further includes operably actuating, by the controller, a relay associated with the fuel supply system on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions.

In an embodiment, the abnormality could include a fire on-board at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system. In another embodiment, the abnormality could include an unauthorized access into a cab of the locomotive. In yet other embodiments, the abnormality could include an engine equipment failure, a malfunction of an automatic engine start-stop system, an engine control system error, a fuel leak in the fuel supply system, or various other general safety concerns.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the user-allowable actions includes cutting-off fuel flow from the fuel-supply system to the locomotive by de-energizing a fuel-pump relay coil. Additionally or optionally, the user-allowable actions could include shutting off the engine associated with the locomotive.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a locomotive system, in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary customizable portable computing device for providing user-selectable options pertaining to an operation of the locomotive system, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a remote operator center facilitating communication between the locomotive and a system for controlling operation of a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive;

FIG. 4 is a computer-implemented method showing steps for remotely controlling the fuel-supply system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings and figures, which show the exemplary embodiments by way of illustration only. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the pertinent art that this disclosure can also be employed in a variety of other applications. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. As such, other alternatives can also be provided to the method or process descriptions where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

For the sake of brevity, conventional data networking, application development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the operating systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical/communicative couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical/communicative connections may be present in a practical system.

The present disclosure is described herein with reference to system architecture, block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, and computer program products according to various aspects of the disclosure. It will be understood that each functional block of the block diagrams, the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams, the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions.

These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce output/s that implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagram illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each functional block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by either special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or suitable combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. It should be further appreciated that the multiple steps as illustrated and described as being combined into a single step for the sake of simplicity may be expanded into multiple steps. In other cases, steps illustrated and described as single process steps may be separated into multiple steps but have been combined for simplicity.

It may be further noted that references in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The systems, methods and computer program products disclosed in conjunction with various embodiments of the present disclosure are embodied in systems, modules, and methods for controlling operation of a machine. Specific nomenclature used herein is merely exemplary and only used for descriptive purposes. Hence, such nomenclature must not be construed as being limiting of the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure will now be described in more detail herein in terms of the above-disclosed exemplary embodiments of system, methods, processes and computer program products. This is for convenience only and is not intended to limit the application of the present disclosure. In fact, after reading the following description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the following disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a locomotive system 100, in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the locomotive system 100 includes a locomotive 102 configured to run on rails 104. The locomotive 102 may be of any type. In one embodiment, the locomotive 102 may be a steam locomotive. In another embodiment, the locomotive 102 may be a diesel locomotive including a gas engine therein. In another embodiment, the locomotive 102 may be an electric locomotive employing one or more pantographs to draw power from an overhead catenary.

The locomotive system 100 can further include a consist 106 of revenue cars 108, 110 that are coupled one behind the other. The consist 106 can be powered by the locomotive 102 such that wheels 116 of the revenue cars 108, 110 roll on the rails 104. Although four revenue cars 108, 110 are shown in various embodiments herein, it is to be understood that the number of revenue cars shown is merely exemplarily in nature, and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure. Thus, the consist 106 may include any number of revenue cars therein without deviating from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the locomotive 102 is a puller locomotive i.e., the locomotive 102 is disposed before the consist 106 and configured to pull the consist 106 in a direction of travel ‘D’. However, in another embodiment, the locomotive system 100 may additionally include a pusher locomotive disposed after the consist 106. The pusher locomotive would also be configured to push the consist 106 in the direction of travel ‘D’. Therefore, in the preceding embodiment, the puller locomotive and the pusher locomotive can co-operatively drive the consist 106 of revenue cars 108, 110 in the direction of travel ‘D’.

As shown in FIG. 1, the locomotive system 100 further includes a fuel tender 114. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the fuel tender 114 is positioned between the locomotive 102 and the consist 106 i.e., adjacent to or nearest in position to the locomotive 102. However, the fuel tender 114 can be optionally located at various other positions relative to the locomotive 102 for e.g., along the consist 106 of the locomotive system 100 depending on specific requirements of an application. Therefore, it should be noted that a position of the fuel tender 114 disclosed herein is merely exemplary in nature and non-limiting of this disclosure.

The fuel tender 114 disclosed herein includes a fuel supply system 122 that is in communication with an engine 124 of the locomotive 102. The fuel supply system 122 could be configured to provide to selectively provide a supply of fuel to the engine 124. A type and/or nature of fuel supplied by the fuel supply system 122 to the engine 124 may depend on a type of the engine used for e.g., Diesel engine, Gas engine, and the like. Therefore, it should be noted that the type and/or nature of fuel supplied by the fuel supply system 122 to the engine 124 is merely exemplary in nature and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure.

Referring to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the fuel supply system 122 may include a conduit 126 that can accomplish a fluid coupling between a storage tank 128 on the fuel tender 114 and the engine 124. Moreover, the fuel supply system 122 can include a fuel pump 130, a fuel-pump relay coil 132, and at least one valve 134 disposed in the conduit 126. The fuel pump 130 is configured to pressurize the supply of fuel provided from the storage tank 128 to the engine 124. The fuel-pump relay coil 132 disclosed herein is configured to selectively actuate the fuel pump 130 into operation so that the fuel pump 130 can perform the pressurisation of the fuel being supplied from the storage tank 128 to the engine 124. The valve 134 may be disposed downstream of the fuel pump 130. The valve 134 may be configured to regulate a supply of the pressurized fuel from the fuel pump 130 to the engine 124.

The present disclosure relates to a system 200 for remotely controlling the fuel-supply system 122 associated with the locomotive 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 200 includes a plurality of detectors 202 positioned onboard the locomotive 102 and the fuel-supply system 122. The detectors 202 may be strategically mounted onto the locomotive 102 as well as the fuel tender 114 so as to monitor the performance of the locomotive 102 and the fuel-supply system 122 during operation of the locomotive system 100. Seven detectors are shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 and denoted with numerals 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, and 202g respectively. Five detectors, namely—a first detector 202a, a second detector 202b, and a third detector 202c, a fourth detector 202d, and a fifth detector 202e are shown positioned on the locomotive 102, while two detectors i.e., a sixth detector 202f and a seventh detector 202g are shown to be positioned in conjunction with the fuel-supply system 122 respectively. Further explanation pertaining to a function of each of these detectors 202 will be made hereinafter. Meanwhile, it may be noted that although seven detectors 202a-g are disclosed herein, a number of detectors disclosed herein is non-limiting of this disclosure. Rather, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, fewer or more detectors could be mounted to the locomotive 102 and the fuel tender 114 depending on specific requirements of an application and without deviating from the spirit of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the detectors 202 are configured to generate a warning signal upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive 102 and the fuel-supply system 122. In an embodiment, the abnormality could include a fire on-board at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system. In another embodiment, the abnormality could include an unauthorized access into a cab of the locomotive. In yet other embodiments, the abnormality could include an engine equipment failure, a malfunction of an automatic engine start-stop system, an error in the engine control system, a fuel leak in the fuel-supply system 122, or various other general safety concerns related to the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel tender 114.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, at least one detector such as, for e.g., the first detector 202a may be configured to detect a fire on-board the locomotive 102. Another detector such as the second detector 202b may be configured to detect any unauthorized access into a cab 118 of the locomotive 102. Further, another detector such as the third detector 202c may be configured to detect an engine equipment failure while the fourth detector 202d may be configured to detect a malfunction associated with the automatic engine start-stop system (not shown). The fifth detector 202e could be configured to detect an error with the engine control system (not shown).

As with the first detector 202a, the sixth detector 202f may also be similarly configured to detect the occurrence of any fire on-board the fuel-supply system 122. The seventh detector 202g may be configured to detect a fuel leak in the fuel supply system 122. As such, in embodiments disclosed herein, the warning signal provided by the detectors 202 could be beneficially indicative of a type and magnitude of the detected abnormality. Moreover, for other general safety concerns pertaining to the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel-supply system 122, other detectors (not shown) may be additionally included in the system 200 so as to facilitate the system 200 in detecting any abnormality in the performance of the locomotive 102, and/or the fuel tender 114.

The system 200 further includes a controller 204 that is remotely disposed from each of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, and/or 202g. The controller 204 is configured to receive a warning signal from at least one of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, and/or 202g, the warning signal being indicative of the abnormality in at least one of the locomotive 102 and the fuel tender 114. As shown, the controller 204 is communicably coupled to each of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f over a wireless network such as, but not limited to, a Cellular network, Internet for e.g., Wi-Fi, or a Satellite communication network. A type of wireless network employed between the controller 204 and the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f is merely exemplary in nature. A person skilled in the art can beneficially contemplate using various other types of wireless networks to dispose the controller 204 in wireless communication with each of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f present on the locomotive 102.

The system 200 further includes at least one graphical user interface 206 (hereinafter simply referred to as ‘GUI’ and referenced with identical numeral ‘206’). The GUI 206 is communicably coupled to the controller 204 and is configured to display the abnormalities received from the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f with or without a request from the controller 204. In embodiments disclosed herein, the controller 204 and the GUI 206 are beneficially configured to integrally form part of a portable computing device 208 such as that exemplarily shown in FIG. 2.

In various embodiments disclosed herein, the controller 204 is configured to provide, at the GUI 206, a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of abnormality detected by the detectors 202. As shown in the exemplary portable computing device 208 of FIG. 3, the portable computing device 208 includes a user-selectable key ‘EFCO/Stop Switch’ denoted by numeral ‘210’, wherein the terms ‘EFCO’ can be regarded as ‘Emergency Fuel Cut-Off’.

The controller 204 is then configured to operably actuate a relay i.e., the fuel-pump relay coil 132 associated with the fuel supply system 122 on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions. With actuation of the user-selectable key 210 on the GUI 206, an operator can command the controller 204 into selectively actuating the fuel-pump relay coil 132 of the fuel supply system 122. Therefore, the user-selectable key ‘EFCO/Stop Switch’ 210 disclosed herein provides the operator with a user-allowable action in that the operator can actuate the ‘EFCO/Stop Switch’ 210 to cause an actuation of the relay i.e., the fuel-pump relay coil 132 associated with the fuel supply system 122.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the user-allowable actions vis-à-vis the user-selectable key ‘EFCO/Stop Switch’ 210 disclosed herein can include cutting-off fuel flow from the fuel-supply system 122 to the engine 124 of the locomotive 102 by de-energizing the fuel-pump relay coil 122. Additionally or optionally, actuation of the user-selectable key ‘EFCO/Stop Switch’ 210 disclosed herein could include shutting off the engine 124.

Moreover, the controller 204 of the portable computing device 208 may be operable via other user-selectable keys (not shown) for modulating various other operating parameters of the fuel supply system 122 and/or the locomotive 102 based on the abnormality detected in the operation of the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel supply system 122, the abnormality being detected by at least one of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f. For e.g., the controller 204 may be also be operable for merely increasing or decreasing an engine speed, for halting the locomotive 102, or for decreasing a pressure of fuel supplied by the fuel pump 130 to the engine 124 of the locomotive 102 (refer to FIG. 1).

One skilled in the art will appreciate that various other user-selectable actions can be programmed for execution by the controller 204 without deviating from the spirit of the present disclosure. For instance, the system 200 could include another user-selectable key (not shown) at the GUI 206 for modulating a state of the valve 134 (see FIG. 1) so that the pressure of fuel supplied by the fuel pump 130 to the engine 124 can be regulated depending on specific requirements of an application. Alternatively, the same ‘EFCO/Stop Switch’ 210 could be configured such that with actuation of the ‘EFCO/Stop Switch’ key 210, the controller 204 can wirelessly trigger both actions—i.e., de-energize the fuel-pump relay coil 122 as well as shut off the valve 134.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the controller 204 is in communication with multiple inputs and outputs to be described. The controller 204 may be form part of any device such as, but not limited to, the portable computing device 208 that can operably control the receipt and processing of the warning signal obtained from the various detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f while also generating commands and/or data for provision to the various outputs.

The controller 204 may be based on integrated circuitry, discrete components, or a combination of the two. In an embodiment, the controller 204 is implemented via a computerized device such as a PC, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular device, or integrated machine computer which may be configured to serve the functions of controller 204 as well as numerous other machine functions. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the controller 204 is a dedicated module. In such a case, the controller 204 may be a processor-based device or collection of devices. In an alternative embodiment, the controller 204 could be implemented via an electronic control module (ECM).

Regardless of how it is implemented, the controller 204 operates, in an embodiment, by executing computer-executable instructions read from a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a read only memory, a random access memory, a flash memory, a magnetic disc drive, an optical disc drive, and the like. In addition to these instructions, the data processed by the controller 204 may be read from memory in addition to being obtained from one or more of the various machine inputs. The memory may reside on the same integrated circuit device as the processor of the controller 204 or may be, alternatively or additionally, located separately from the controller 204 for e.g., at a remote operator center 302 such as that shown in FIG. 3.

While the controller 204 and its various inputs and outputs can be regarded as being representative of a spoke and hub architecture herein, it will be appreciated that any suitable bus type may be used. For example, in alternative embodiments of this disclosure, inputs and outputs may be serially multiplexed by time or frequency rather than being provided over separate connections. It will be appreciated that peripheral circuitry such as buffers, latches, switches and so on may be implemented within the controller 204 or separately as desired. Because those of skill in the art will appreciate the usage of such devices, they will not be further described herein.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of the remote operator center 302 in conjunction with the system 200 is shown. The remote operator center 302 is configured to facilitate unidirectional or bidirectional communications between the locomotive 102 and the system 200. The remote operator center 302 could optionally include facilities that allow the operator to monitor an operation of each detector 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f, as well as to control one or more of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f onboard the locomotive 102 and the fuel-supply system 122. For example, when a detector 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, or 202f is being remotely controlled by the operator, the communications from the operator center 302 to the detector 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, or 202f in question may contain control information, and returning communications may contain status and/or operational data. When some of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f are not currently being controlled, but instead operating in another manner, for e.g., autonomously, then such detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f may provide status and operational data to the operator center 302 without receiving control commands from the operator center 302.

In an embodiment, the communications between the operator center 302 and each of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f is wireless, and may be direct, as in the case of short range wireless communications technology; or may be indirect, as in the case of cellular or other long range communications technologies. In addition, all or some part of such communications may be encrypted or encoded for security purposes. For example, encryption of remote control commands from the controller 204 and/or the remote operator center 302 may prevent unauthorized third parties from controlling a detector 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f in an unintended or adverse manner.

It will be appreciated that in an implementation of the described architecture, the operator center 302 can be suitably adapted for control and monitoring of the various detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f, while the various detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f are configured to communicate with and may receive control data from the operator center 302.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the system 200 may additionally include a transceiver 212 mounted on-board the locomotive 102. The transceiver 212 may be disposed in communication with each detector 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f, the operator center 302, and the controller 204. The transceiver 212 may be adapted to wirelessly relay the type and/or magnitude of the abnormalities vis-à-vis the warning signals from each of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f to the controller 204 and/or the remote operator center 302.

Moreover, data from the warning signal/s could also be encrypted by the transceiver 212 prior to transmission by the transceiver 212 to the controller 204 and/or the remote operator center 302. Referring to FIG. 3, the transceiver 212 could beneficially include a data encoder 216 therein that can be linked to the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f. The data encoder 216 can therefore encode or encrypt the data from the warning signal/s prior to transmission. A type or configuration of the data encoder 216 used is merely exemplary in nature and non-limiting of this disclosure. The data encoder 216 disclosed herein can be of any suitable type that is commonly known to persons skilled in the art.

In an alternate embodiment, rather than the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c being linked to the data encoder 216, the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f can be configured to incorporate the encoding functionality. In this alternative embodiment, the data encoder 216 can simply serve as a switch or multiplexer as would be known to persons skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 3, the system 200 may further include a recording module 218. The recording module 218 may be communicably linked to the transceiver 212 and the controller 204. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the recording module 218 could be located at the remote operator center 302. However, in alternative embodiments, the recording module 218 can optionally form part of (i.e., be integrated with) the transceiver 212 or the portable computing device 208. The recording module 218 is configured to receive the warning signal/s from the transceiver 212, and record the received warning signals therein at a first time for facilitating post-event analysis at a subsequent period of time. As the recording module 218 is in communication with the controller 204, the controller 204 can be operated for commanding the recording module 218 to render the recorded data at the GUI 206 during the subsequent period of time.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also contemplated that each detector 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f may be beneficially configured to output a time stamp (shown in FIG. 2) corresponding to the detection of the abnormalities associated with the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel supply system 122. In this manner, the recording module 218 can beneficially render the time stamps for the recorded data at the GUI 206 when such data is requested at the GUI 206 by the controller 204 for post-event analysis.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be noted that each of the detectors 202 disclosed herein could include numerous components that are typically known for detecting a change in the operation of a given system. For example, each of the detectors 202 disclosed herein could include smoke detectors, video cameras, human intrusion detection systems, ground fault detection sensors, pressure sensors, flow rate sensors, and the like. Therefore, notwithstanding anything contained in this document, a person skilled in the art could contemplate using various types of components known in the art for forming each of the detectors 202 disclosed herein without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Rather the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims appended herein.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a computer-implemented method 400 for remotely controlling the fuel-supply system 122 associated with the locomotive 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

At step 402, the method 400 includes generating a warning signal by at least one of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive 102 and the fuel-supply system 122. Although it is hereby contemplated to use seven detectors—202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202f for detecting abnormalities in the operation of the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel supply system 122, one skilled in the art can beneficially contemplate mounting fewer or more detectors, at other strategic locations on the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel supply system 122, or in relation to other key components of the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel supply system 122 depending on specific requirements of an application.

As such, in an embodiment disclosed herein, the abnormality could include a fire on-board the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel-supply system 122. In another embodiment, the abnormality could include an unauthorized access into the cab 118 of the locomotive 102. In yet other embodiments, the abnormality could include a failure of the engine equipment, a malfunction of the automatic engine start-stop system, an error with the engine control system, a fuel leak in the fuel-supply system 122, and/or various other general safety concerns.

At step 404, the method 400 further includes wirelessly receiving the warning signal indicative of the abnormality from at least one of the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f at the controller 204. Further, at step 406, the method 400 further includes providing, at the graphical user interface (GUI) 206, a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of the abnormality detected. Additionally or optionally, in an embodiment as disclosed herein, the method 400 could further include encrypting the data from the warning signal prior to transmission by the detectors 202 or the transceiver 212 to the controller 204. This way, the encrypted data may be easily decoded at the controller 204 for actionable purposes.

At step 408, the method 400 further includes operably actuating, by the controller 204, the relay i.e., fuel-pump relay coil 132 associated with the fuel-supply system 122 on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions. In an embodiment, at least one of the user-allowable actions includes cutting-off fuel flow from the fuel-supply system 122 to the engine 124 of the locomotive 102 by de-energizing the fuel-pump relay coil 132. Additionally or optionally, at least one other user-allowable action could include shutting off the engine 124 associated with the locomotive 102. In yet an other embodiment, the at least one other user-allowable action could include regulating the valve 134 associated with the fuel-supply system 122 for regulating a pressure or flow rate of fuel supplied by the fuel pump 130 to the engine 124 (See FIG. 1).

In another embodiment, the method 400 could also include recording the data from the warning signal at a first time for rendering such data at the GUI 206 at a subsequent period of time. As disclosed in an embodiment herein, the system 200 may, optionally or additionally, include the recording module 218 for recording the data from the warning signal/s received from the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f. Moreover, as each detector 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f can be beneficially configured to provide a time stamp corresponding to the captured video stream, the method 400 could beneficially include rendering the data together with the time stamp at the GUI 206. This way, abnormalities detected in the past with the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel-supply system 122 may be tracked remotely by the operator and such tracking may assist the operator in taking preventive and/or corrective measures for e.g., in the subsequent operation of the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel-supply system 122.

In an example, if the detector 202b has captured, by way of for e.g., a video stream, that an intruder is in the cab 118 and that safety of the locomotive 102 has been compromised, then such video stream data, if recorded at the recording module 218, can allow the operator to accomplish playback of the video stream together with the time stamp at the GUI 206 and monitor the cab on the basis of the recorded event. In another example, if the detector 202f has detected a fire onboard the fuel tender, the detector 202f would generate a warning signal, preferably with a time stamp and with data pertaining to a type and magnitude of the abnormality, for wireless transmission to the controller 204. Subsequently, the operator may visually see such abnormalities at the portable computing device 208 and issue appropriate commands to the controller 204 so that the controller 204 can in turn wirelessly trigger the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel-supply system to execute specific functions for e.g., shut-off the fuel-pump relay coil 132, shut off the engine 124, disable the fuel-supply system 122 through other components present within the fuel-supply system 122, or generally bring the locomotive 102 to a halt using other components present in the locomotive system 100. As such, the controller 204 and the GUI 206 are configured to integrally form part of a single portable computing device 208 in which the controller 204 triggers the GUI 206 to render the detected abnormalities with or without a request initiated by the operator of the locomotive system 100.

In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system 500 that can be configured to execute instructions consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure has been described herein in terms of functional block components, screen shots, schematic circuits (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), and various process steps (as shown in FIG. 4). It should be appreciated that such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, a general purpose machine such as computer system 500, may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and/or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the software elements for executing the functions consistent with the present disclosure may be implemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, COBOL, assembler, PERL, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures, extensible markup language (XML), with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Further, it should be noted that method 400 may be implemented by employing any number of conventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and/or the like. In an embodiment, method 400 may be implemented by the computer 500 using various architecture or platforms such as, but not limited to JavaScript, VBScript, .Net (dot-Net) platform or the like. However, it may be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that various other software frameworks may be utilized to build the architecture of the computer 500 without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

These software elements may be loaded onto the general purpose machine or computer 500, a special purpose computer, or any other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the instructions that execute on the computer 500, the special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

The present disclosure (i.e., system 200, method 400, any part(s) or function(s) thereof) may be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof, and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. However, the manipulations performed by the present disclosure were often referred to in terms, such as capturing, receiving, transmitting, modulating, or checking, which are commonly associated with mental operations performed by a human operator. No such capability of a human operator is necessary, or desirable in most cases, in any of the operations described herein, which form a part of the present disclosure. Rather, the operations are machine operations. Useful machines for performing the operations in the present disclosure may include general-purpose digital computers or similar devices.

In fact, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is directed towards one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. An example of the computer-based system includes the computer system 500, which is shown by way of a block diagram in FIG. 5.

Computer system 500 includes at least one processor, such as a Processor 502. Processor 502 may be connected to a communication infrastructure 504, for example, a communications bus, a crossover bar, a network, and the like. Various software embodiments are described in terms of this exemplary computer system 500. Upon perusal of the present description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the present disclosure using other computer systems and/or architectures.

Computer system 500 includes a display interface 506 that forwards graphics, text, and other data from communication infrastructure 504 (or from a frame buffer) for display on a display unit 508.

Computer system 500 further includes a main memory 510, such as random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 512. Secondary memory 512 may further include, for example, a hard disk drive 514 and/or a removable storage drive 516, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. Removable storage drive 516 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit 518 may represent a floppy disk, magnetic tape or an optical disk, and may be read by and written to by removable storage drive 516. As will be appreciated, removable storage unit 518 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein, computer software and/or data.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, secondary memory 512 may include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 500. Such devices may include, for example, a removable storage unit 520, and an interface 522. Examples of such may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 520 and interfaces 522, which allow software and data to be transferred from removable storage unit 520 to computer system 500.

Computer system 500 may further include a communication interface 524. Communication interface 524 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 500 and external devices. Examples of communication interface 524 include, but may not be limited to a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, and the like. Software and data transferred via communication interface 524 may be in the form of a plurality of signals, hereinafter referred to as signals 526, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communication interface 524. Signals 526 may be provided to communication interface 524 via a communication path (e.g., channel) 528. Communication path 528 carries signals 526 and can be implemented using wire or cable lines, fiber optic lines, telephone links, cellular links, radio frequency (RF) links, and/or other communication channels known to one skilled in the art.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage drive 516, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 514, signals 526, and the like. These computer program products provide software to computer system 500. The present disclosure is directed to such computer program products.

Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) may be stored in main memory 510 and/or secondary memory 512. Computer programs may also be received via the communication interface 504. Such computer programs, when executed, enable computer system 500 to perform the functions consistent with the present disclosure. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable Processor 502 to perform the features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of computer system 500.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the disclosure is implemented using a software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 500 using removable storage drive 516, hard disk drive 514 or communication interface 524. The control logic (software), when executed by Processor 502, causes Processor 502 to perform the functions of the present disclosure as described herein.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure is implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is implemented using a combination of both the hardware and the software.

Various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, engaged, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems/devices and/or methods disclosed herein. Such joinder references are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references can infer that two elements or modules are not directly connected to each other.

Further, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various detectors, embodiments, variations, components, and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any detector, embodiment, variation, component and/or modification relative to, or over, another detector, embodiment, variation, component and/or modification.

It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above-described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Embodiments of the present disclosure have applicability for implementation and use in remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can help reduce an overall effort and fatigue experienced by operators in operating locomotives and fuel-supply systems associated with the locomotives.

With use of embodiments disclosed herein, operators can conveniently monitor an operation and performance of locomotives and fuel-supply systems given the possibility of abnormalities that can occur with operation of the locomotives and/or the fuel-supply systems. In some embodiments of this disclosure, when specific abnormalities occur, the controller 204 can be optionally configured to trigger the GUI 206 into rendering the appropriate abnormality captured by the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f. For example, in the case of specific events such as when a fire has been detected at the locomotive 102, or the cab 118 has been accessed by unauthorized personnel and the like, the controller 204 can beneficially trigger the GUI 206 into rendering the appropriate warning signal and the data pertaining to the abnormality so as to help the operator in taking a suitable course of action. The operators may operate the controller 204 with appropriate commands so that the controller 204 can in turn wirelessly instruct the locomotive 102 and/or the fuel-supply system 122 to execute specific functions for e.g., stall the engine, shut-off the fuel-pump relay coil 132, or the like.

With implementation of the concepts disclosed herein, operators of locomotives can be adequately equipped to take informed decisions for various abnormalities that could occur in the operation of the locomotive and/or the fuel-supply system associated therewith. Moreover, as the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f are located strategically and in relation to specific components of the locomotive 102 and the fuel-supply system 122, the warning signals fed to the portable computing device 208 by the detectors 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, 202g, and/or 202f can allow the operator to, quickly and conveniently, note down events visually from the GUI 206 while being remotely located with respect to the locomotive 102. Moreover, with use of embodiments disclosed herein, operators can ensure safety, should any inadvertent abnormality or safety concern/issue arise in the operation of the locomotives and fuel-supply systems associated therewith.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING A FUEL-SUPPLY SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH A LOCOMOTIVE

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