Patent Application
20090312890
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to locomotives and other vehicles. More specifically, embodiments of the invention pertain to controlling the movement of locomotives.
When a railcar in a train reaches a destination (e.g., the train might include one or more locomotives and a plurality of railcars), a locomotive operator must stop the locomotive so the railcar is positioned at a predetermined stopping point for unloading the railcar cargo. A locomotive operator can remotely control the movement of the locomotive and railcars via an off-board remote control unit. Such remote control units have an operator interface that enables an operator to transmit commands to an onboard slave control unit that is interfaced with the locomotive onboard operating system. These commands generally relate to locomotive movement parameters such as direction of movement, speed, or braking. The remote control unit communicates with the locomotive operating system and/or slave control unit via a radio frequency (RF) communication system.
However, often times an operator commands the locomotive to move too fast and the locomotive is unable to stop the lead railcar before it passes the predetermined stopping point. As a result, the train may collide with and damage loading docks and nearby equipment, and/or damage the railcar. At present, there is not a method or system that provides the automated speed control and stopping of a locomotive and train, when the locomotive is pushing railcars so a lead railcar is properly positioned at a predetermined stopping point for unloading.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) or automated equipment identification (AEI) tags and readers are used to control movement of trains in rail yards. Specially programmed RFID or AEI tags are sometimes mounted on the tracks between the rails to identify speed limits and stopping points for when the locomotive is pulling cars. The locomotive has an RFID or AEI tag reader installed underneath it to read the tags as it crosses over them. This method of controlling a Remote Control Locomotive movement is not applicable to delivery of railcars to an industry location in which the locomotive is pushing or pulling the cars. Railcars cannot be practically equipped with a RFID reader as it requires a power source and radio for a communication link with the locomotive.
In addition, the tracks at rail yards and other destination locations are often times in very poor condition; therefore, systems having components mounted on the track rails such as impedance circuits may not serve as adequate solutions.
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for controlling the movement of a series of connected vehicles that travel along a designated pathway. One of the vehicles is a powered vehicle for moving the series of vehicles. At least one sensor is positioned relative to the pathway for detecting the presence of a lead vehicle on the pathway, and one sensor is spaced a distance from a stop location of the lead vehicle. The sensor transmits at least one signal when the lead vehicle is detected on the pathway. A controller receives the signals from the sensor and is in communication with an onboard operating system of the powered vehicle. The controller transmits a signal to powered vehicle when the lead vehicle is detected by the sensor, and in response to the signal the operating system of the powered vehicle sets a maximum speed setting for the powered vehicle to travel on the pathway toward the stop location.
In another embodiment, the system may include a plurality of sensors positioned relative to the pathway, spaced apart from one another and spaced a predetermined distance from the stop location of the lead vehicle. As the lead vehicle approaches the stop location, the controller transmits a signal to the powered vehicle each time a sensor detects the lead vehicle on the pathway. Responsive to each signal the onboard operating system of the powered vehicle provides a maximum speed setting for the powered vehicle each time a sensor detects the lead vehicle on the pathway. The maximum speed setting is reduced as the lead vehicle approaches the stop location and trips successive sensors. At the last sensor, or the sensor closest to the stop location, the controller transmits a signal responsive to which the powered vehicle stops a distance from the stop location and the onboard operating system sets a maximum speed setting for the powered vehicle to travel toward the stop location.
The present invention can be more easily understood and the further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
A more particular description 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, the invention will be described and explained in the context of a locomotive that is pushing a plurality of railcars on a railroad track. However the invention is not so limited but encompasses remotely controlling the movement of a series of connected vehicles that include a powered vehicle that is pushing or pulling the other vehicles on a designated pathway. Accordingly, the invention may be applicable to off-highway vehicles, marine vehicles, on-road vehicles, etc. The term “powered vehicle” as used herein shall comprise the vehicles that have an onboard power source sufficient to propel the vehicle and others in a series of vehicles. In the case of trains traveling on railroad tracks, the locomotive is the powered vehicle. If the locomotive is pulling the railcars, the locomotive is also the “lead vehicle” or “lead railcar” as described below. If the locomotive is pushing the railcars the lead railcar is the railcar disposed at the end of the train opposite the locomotive
Before describing in detail the particular method and apparatus for remotely controlling of movement of a train in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel combination of hardware and software elements related to said method and apparatus. Accordingly, the hardware and software elements have been represented by conventional elements in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with structural details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
With respect to
The locomotive 11 is remotely controlled by an operator 15 using a hand held remote control unit 16 that includes an operator interface having various input mechanisms that enable the operator to input commands relative to movement of the locomotive 11 and train 10. The remote control unit 16 is linked with a radio frequency module 17 (representing the onboard communication system) on the locomotive 11 that is a component of the locomotive 11 communications and power distribution system of the locomotive. For example, an operator may control the speed, stopping, and direction of the locomotive 11 by inputting commands in the remote control unit 16. The operator 15, via the remote control unit 16, transmits commands to an onboard operating system 22 to control movement on the locomotive 11 and train 10 on the track 13.
In an embodiment of the disclosed invention, a remote control system 30 is used to restrict the speed of the locomotive 11 as the lead railcar 12A approaches the stop location 14, so the operator 15 can stop the train 10 so that the lead railcar 12A is positioned at the stop location 14. The remote control system 30 comprises a sensor 18 positioned relative to the track 13 to detect the presence of the lead railcar 12A on the track 13. The sensor 18 may be mounted on the track 13, e.g., on a cross tie, or positioned wayside the track 13 to detect the lead railcar 12A a predetermined distance from the stop location 14. When the sensor 18 detects the lead railcar 12A on the track 13, the sensor 18 transmits a signal 20 to an off-board controller 19. In response to receiving signal 20 from the sensor 18, the controller 19 transmits a signal 21 to the locomotive 11. The signal 21 is representative of a command or setting that controls movement of the train 10 on the track. Accordingly, responsive to the receipt of signal 21, the locomotive operating system 22 sets a maximum speed setting for the locomotive 11 to travel on the track 13 toward the stop location 14.
In addition, the operating system 22 may command the locomotive 11 to stop on the track 13, and the operator 15 may remotely control the movement of the locomotive 11 and train 10 toward the stop location 14; however, the operator 15 via the remote control unit 16 can not enable the locomotive 11 to travel at a speed that exceeds the maximum speed setting. In such an embodiment, when the operating system 22 of the locomotive 11 commands the locomotive 11 to stop in response to receiving the signal 21 from controller 19, the remote control unit 16 may be configured to require the operator 15 to enter a command before the locomotive 11 can be moved on the track 13. For example, the remote control unit 16 may include an input mechanism for generating a STOP command, which when completed will enable the operator 15 to move the locomotive 11 and train 10 toward the stop location 14.
In one embodiment, the sensor 18 is an electro-optical sensor such as a through-beam sensor or retro-reflective sensor that is hard-wired to the controller 19, which is housed in a control box. The controller 19 also includes a radio frequency module 23 for communicating with and transmitting signals to the communication system 17 of the locomotive 11. Alternatively, the sensor 18 may have wireless communication capabilities for transmitting signals to the controller 19. In another embodiment, the controller 19 may be integrated with or be a component of the remote control unit 16. In either case, the remote control unit 16 has an operator interface that enables the operator 15 to activate the system so that the operating system 22 on the locomotive 11 can not respond to speed setting commands that exceed the maximum speed setting for the locomotive 11 after the sensor 18 is tripped by the lead railcar 12A.
The speed setting selected may be an arbitrary setting, e.g., 1 mph (1.609 kilometers/hour) for any train 10 and locomotive 11 entering the track 13, or the controller 19 and/or onboard operating system 22 may be programmed to determine the maximum speed setting for a given train 10. When an operator 15 engages the system or activates the controller 19, the controller 19 may prompt the operator 15 to enter data relative to the locomotive 11 and train 10, such as tonnage data, to determine the maximum speed setting. In addition, the controller 19 or onboard operating system 22 may be configured with an algorithm that also factors in the distance the lead railcar 12A must travel to reach the stop location 14 and the grade of the track 13 to determine the speed setting.
In an embodiment, when the lead railcar 12A enters the track 13, an operator engages the controller 19 for linking the controller 19 to the onboard communication system 17 and operating system 22. Radio frequency communication systems are commonly used at rail yards for radio communications between off-board components (such as a remote control unit) and on-board components. Accordingly, one skilled in the art would appreciate how a wayside controller can be linked to an onboard communication system, considering in part the frequency range of the communication system. When the controller 19 is linked to the locomotive communication system 17 and operating system 22, the controller may transmit data via a radio signal indicative of a track identifier. The operating system 22 may include a database that includes data about the location or identification of the sensor 18 (or a plurality of sensors as described below) on the track 13 and data relative to one or more maximum speed settings associated with each sensor 18 location. Accordingly, when the operating system 22 receives signal 21 indicating that the lead railcar has been detected on the track 13, the operating system 22 accesses the database to determine, select, or command a maximum speed setting associated with the sensor 18.
Alternatively, the controller 19 may be programmed and/or configured so that the signal 21 includes a maximum speed setting command. The controller 19 may access a database (not shown) that includes one or maximum speed settings associated with the sensor 18, or one or more speed settings associated with each of a plurality of sensors (described below). When the sensor 18 detects the railcar 12A on the track 13, the controller, via the module 23, transmits a signal or command indicative of the maximum speed setting for the locomotive 11 traveling toward the stop location 14.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in
This maximum speed setting overrides any speed setting that exceeds the maximum speed setting input by the operator 15 via the remote control unit 16; however, the operator 15 may be able to set speed settings that are less than the maximum speed setting. In an embodiment, the maximum speed setting entered by the operating system 22 may be associated with only the direction of movement toward the stop location 14; so the operator 15 may command any speed in the “pull” direction away from the stop location 14. In reference to
With respect to the embodiment shown in
In an embodiment, when sensor 24D or the sensor closest to the stop location 14 detects the lead railcar 12A on the track 13, the signal 26 may include a STOP command and a maximum speed setting (e.g., one mile per hour). As described above, the remote control unit 16 may be configured such that once the train 10 and locomotive 11 have stopped; the operator 15 may input a command to move the locomotive 11 further toward the stop location 14. In this manner, the operator may control movement of the locomotive 11 and train 10 toward the stop location 14 so the lead railcar 12 is properly positioned at the stop location 14 for loading or unloading cargo, and the lead railcar 12A does not overrun the stop location, potentially colliding with the loading dock, building, and/or nearby equipment.
As described above, in one embodiment the onboard operating system 22 may be configured to identify the track 13 and the distance between each sensor 24A-24D and/or the distance from each sensor 24A-24D (sensor 18 in
In this manner, in the event there is a communication loss between the locomotive 11 and the controller 19, or if one or more of the sensors 24A-24D (and sensor 18 in
Embodiments of the invention may also be described as a method or computer program. With respect to
In step 42 the controller 19 or the onboard operating system 22 determines whether the lead railcar 12A is a predetermined distance from the stop location 14 in order to stop the locomotive 11. As described above in an embodiment of the invention utilizing a single sensor 18, in step 48 the operating system 22 may respond to a signal received from the controller 19 by commanding the locomotive to stop a distance from the stop location 14 before operator 15 can control movement of the train 10 to the stop location 14. Alternatively, in an embodiment utilizing a plurality of sensors 24A-24A, the operating system 22 may command the locomotive 11 to stop (step 48) when the last sensor 24D closest to the stop location 14 is tripped. In either case, in step 50 the operating system 22 sets a maximum speed setting at which the locomotive 11 may travel toward the stop location; and, in step 52 an operator 15 remotely controls the movement of the train 10 so the lead railcar 12A is positioned at the stop location 14.
If the lead railcar 12A is not a predetermined distance from the stop location 14, or a STOP command is not initiated, the locomotive operating system 22 still enters a maximum speed setting in step 44. In step 46, the locomotive 11 continues to push the railcars 12 toward the stop location 14 until a signal is received that indicates that the lead railcar 12A is at the predetermined distance from the stop location. In this manner, the operator can control movement of the train, including the locomotive 11 and lead railcar 12A, to the stop location 14 at a safe speed without overrunning the stop location 14.
Embodiments described above may be implemented on a suitable computer system, controller, memory, or generally a computer readable medium. For example, the steps of the methods described above may correspond to computer instructions, logic, software code, or other computer modules disposed on the computer readable medium, e.g., floppy disc, hard drive, ASIC, remote storage, optical disc, or the like. The computer-implemented methods and/or computer code may be programmed into an electronic control unit of an engine, a main control system of the locomotive, a remote control station that communicates with the locomotive unit, or the like, as described above.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only and not of limitation. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the teaching of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.
