Railway Vehicle Patents (Class 701/19)
  • Patent number: 12145643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a CTC3.0-based locomotive decoupling and coupling plan automatic generation and execution method. According to the method, by upgrading a track occupancy display terminal and a data platform in a CTC3.0 system, automatic generation of a locomotive decoupling or coupling plan is triggered when the route display terminal receives a train plan, so as to complete a locomotive decoupling or coupling task. The method has the advantages of high automation degree and high transportation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: CASCO SIGNAL LTD.
    Inventors: Xuan Chen, Huarong Li, Jiannian Wang, Yingtao Lu, Zhenjie Chen, Dejun Chen, Zheng You, Yangjie Zhao
  • Patent number: 12145642
    Abstract: A running pattern creation device includes: a coordinate system that is formed of a positional coordinate axis and a vehicle velocity axis; a stopping avoidance zone position holding unit 1 configured to hold positional information on a stopping avoidance zone of a vehicle 8; a vehicle condition holding unit 2 configured to hold at least information on respective accelerations at an acceleration time, a deceleration time and a coasting time with respect to specification of the vehicle 8; a braking pattern creation unit 3 configured to create a braking pattern that is a pattern for stopping the vehicle 8 at a position other than the stopping avoidance zone using the positional information and information on acceleration at the deceleration time; a coasting pattern creation unit 4 configured to create a coasting pattern that is a pattern for stopping the vehicle 8 at a position other than the stopping avoidance zone using the positional information and the information on acceleration at the coasting time; an ob
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhi Tsutsumi, Keiji Maekawa, Atsushi Oda, Keiichi Katsuta, Masaki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 12145637
    Abstract: A system may include a sensor that detects positioning data indicative of a position of a first coupler of a first vehicle system and positioning data indicative of a position of a second coupler of a second vehicle system during a coupling event of the vehicle systems. A controller includes one or more processors that receive the positioning data of the first and second couplers and determines whether the first coupler is misaligned with the second coupler. The controller may initiate an action of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system to change a position of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system. Changing the position of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system aligns the first coupler with the second coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Gorman, Christopher John Claussen, Jeffrey D. Kernwein
  • Patent number: 12145641
    Abstract: A train dispatching control method includes obtaining a train marshalling instruction, determining target carriages corresponding to a marshalling quantity based on carriage positioning information corresponding to to-be-dispatched carriages parked on to-be-dispatched parking lines, and controlling all the target carriages to drive from the to-be-dispatched parking lines to a marshalling dispatch parking line, to form a target train. The train marshalling instruction includes the marshalling quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Jianchun Zhao
  • Patent number: 12139377
    Abstract: A control unit performs a travel stop process for stopping travel of a travel unit in response to an indicator detection unit detecting a stop notice indicator section and then detecting a stop position indicator section. After the travel of the travel unit is stopped as a result of the travel stop process, the control unit performs a transfer process for causing a transfer unit to transfer an article. The control unit performs, instead of the transfer process, anomaly notification processing for providing a notification of an occurrence of an anomaly to a superordinate control unit, after the travel of the travel unit is stopped by the travel stop process, in response to: (i) a travel distance, from a position at which the indicator detection unit has detected the stop notice indicator section, being smaller than a determination distance smaller than a notice distance, and (ii) the indicator detection unit detecting the stop position indicator section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Abe, Yoshitaka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12103572
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for determining motion characteristics of trains traveling along a train track. In some embodiments, a processor may determine an estimated position of a train using an observed position obtained using one or more UWB antennas and an observed position obtained using one or more GNSS receivers. In some embodiments, a processor may access information specifying a geometry of a train track and determining the position of a train along the train track using an observed position determined using one or more UWB antennas and/or GNSS receiver(s) and the information specifying the geometry of the train track. In some embodiments, a processor may determine estimated positions of a train using the geometry of the train track and at least one observation of the train obtained using one or more positioning devices and select the position of the train from among the estimated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Humatics Corporation
    Inventors: Pedro Teixeira, Michael Kuhlman, Reza Rezaie, Joshua Senna, Aaron Whittemore
  • Patent number: 12098028
    Abstract: A control device that performs control to manage the passage of article transport vehicles in a management zone can execute: basic processing for permitting a first article transport vehicle to enter the management zone if no article transport vehicle is present in the management zone, and prohibiting a second article transport vehicle from entering the management zone if the first article transport vehicle is present in the management zone; and first exception processing for permitting the second article transport vehicle to enter the management zone in a case where, even if the first article transport vehicle is present in the management zone, the first article transport vehicle is an article transport vehicle that stops at a station provided in the first path, and the second article transport vehicle passes through a second path and a third path but does not pass through the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihito Ueda, Sadato Matsugi, Akira Suzuki, Yoshitaka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12100222
    Abstract: A method for operating a video monitoring system for a rail vehicle includes determining a topology of a signaling network assigned to the video monitoring system, and identifying nodes signal-coupled to the network. At least one video camera and at least one video recorder are nodes of the network. A signal path for the at least one video camera of the network is determined on the basis of the determined topology of the network. The signal path represents a signal arbitration or signaling-related assignment of the at least one video camera. The at least one video camera is automatically assigned to the at least one video recorder on the basis of the determined signal path. A device for operating a video monitoring system for a rail vehicle and a rail vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Braun
  • Patent number: 12099336
    Abstract: A method for state-based maintenance of an access device of a vehicle, in particular of a public transport vehicle, wherein the access device includes a moveable element and an electric drive for moving the moveable element and is attached to the vehicle. The drive is controlled with control signals, wherein actual state signals for describing the state are generated based on a detected state of the access device. The control signals are applied to a physical simulation model for computationally simulating the access device and determining expected target state signals and wherein based on a comparison between the actual state signals and associated target state signals, a maintenance state of the access device is determined. The simulation model is adjusted based on the comparison between the actual state signals and the associated target state signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: GEBR. BODE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Andler, Guido Bachmann
  • Patent number: 12093778
    Abstract: A system, e.g., an installation, includes a mobile part that is movable along a coding region. A camera is arranged on the mobile part and is connected to an evaluation unit of the mobile part. The coding region has coded regions arranged successively. A one-part or multi-part cover covers coded regions, and has an opening through which an image of the first coded region can be taken by the camera. The evaluation unit is adapted to temporally recurrently determined the deviation of the first coded region with respect to the viewing direction of the camera and/or to the straight line, which is aligned in parallel with the viewing direction of the camera and passes through the central point of the image sensor of the camera, and/or to a reference point in the coding region and immobile relative to the mobile part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Frank Erb
  • Patent number: 12091066
    Abstract: A method for operating a train comprising two or more locomotives, the method comprising the steps of: a) Setting one or more locomotive control levels and choosing a selected route of travel; b) Calculating a target train speed profile and a target in-train force profile over at least a portion of the selected route; c) Measuring one or more operating parameters related to the operation of the train; d) Calculating a future train speed profile and a future in-train force profile for a future period based on at least one of the one or more operating parameters, at least one of the one or more locomotive control levels and one or more pieces of information relating to the selected route; e) Calculating adjusted locomotive speed control levels relating to the one or more operating parameters based on a difference between the target train speed profile and the future train speed profile, the adjusted locomotive control levels being adapted to maintain the target train speed profile over the future period; f)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignees: Central Queensland University, Insyte Solutions Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Colin Robert Cole, Christopher Graham Bosomworth, Mark James Hayman
  • Patent number: 12090918
    Abstract: A system for displaying contextually-sensitive braking information on a surface of a vehicle is presented. The system may include a transceiver, one or more memories, an electronic display disposed on the surface, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to detect a braking event of the vehicle, wherein the braking event has an associated braking force. The one or more processors may compare the braking force to a predetermined threshold braking force to determine whether the braking force exceeds the threshold braking force. The one or more processors may further cause the electronic display to display a braking indication having an intensity that is proportional to the braking force, wherein the braking indication may include a braking rationale corresponding to the braking event in response to determining that the braking force exceeds the threshold braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: QUANATA, LLC
    Inventors: Theobolt N. Leung, Tina Fang, Kenneth Jason Sanchez
  • Patent number: 12077198
    Abstract: The Automated Wayside Asset Monitoring system utilizes a camera-based optical imaging device and an image database to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance of environmental geographical information pertaining to railway transportation. Various components of the Automated Wayside Asset Monitoring system can provide features and functions that can facilitate the operation and improve the safety of transportation via a railway vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Inventor: Jack Wade
  • Patent number: 12079008
    Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may be dynamically directed to rendezvous with autonomous vehicle trains or convoys. Current location and/or route information of the Autonomous Vehicle Train (AVT) may be received by an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may compare its current location and/or route information to determine a rendezvous point with the AVT. The autonomous vehicle may route itself to the rendezvous point with the AVT. Once there, the autonomous vehicle may verify the identification of the AVT, such as by using sensors/cameras to verifying a lead vehicle of the AVT (e.g., by verifying make/model, color, and/or license plate). The autonomous vehicle and lead vehicle may communicate to allow the autonomous vehicle to join the AVT. A minimum level of autonomous vehicle functionality may be verified prior to the autonomous vehicle being allowed to join the AVT. As a result, vehicle traffic flow and travel experience by passengers may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven J. Harris, Theobolt N. Leung, Jay T. Hieb
  • Patent number: 12079721
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rails and obstacles detection based on forward-looking electrooptical imaging, novel system architecture and novel scene analysis and image processing are disclosed. The processing solution utilizes a deep learning semantic scene segmentation approach based on a rails and switches states detection neural network that determines the railway path of the train in the forward-looking imagery, and an objects and obstacles detection and tracking neural network that analyzes the vicinity of the determined railway path and detects impending obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: RAIL VISION LTD.
    Inventors: Sagi Dolberg, Natalie Day, Michael Levy, Avishay Alfandary, Avraham Ram Guissin, Sharon Bason, Zohar Zeev Shechter, Shahar Hania, Yotam Azriel
  • Patent number: 12065128
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system and methods for managing and controlling emissions produced by a vehicle and/or powertrain which includes one or more power sources selected from a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack, a battery, and combinations thereof, a processor, one or more inputs, a controller, and one or more emission control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignees: CUMMINS INC., HYDROGENICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron William Beinborn, David P. Genter, Nathaniel Ian Joos, Archit Koti, Guangji Ji
  • Patent number: 12066019
    Abstract: An electric oil pump includes a pump unit, rotating to make oil flow, a motor driving the pump unit, a control unit exerting driving control on the motor, and a housing accommodating the pump unit, the motor, and the motor control unit. In the electric oil pump, the motor control unit directly receives detection information of a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the oil and exerts driving control on the motor based on the detection information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Miura, Yasuaki Ota, Takashi Doi
  • Patent number: 12055402
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for path planning, comprising: determining moving paths for a plurality of sorting vehicles (S210), wherein each sorting vehicle corresponds to one of the moving paths, and each moving path comprises one or more navigation points; in a process of each sorting vehicle moving along the corresponding moving path, determining whether the moving paths for the plurality of sorting vehicles have a conflict point (S220), wherein the conflict point is a navigation point causing distribution congestion; in response to the moving paths for the plurality of sorting vehicles have a conflict point, determining a distribution congestion area according to position information of the conflict point (S230); and planning a moving path for the sorting vehicle outside the distribution congestion area (S240). The present disclosure further provides a system for path planning, a computer system and a computer-readable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING JINGDONG ZHENSHI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianqi Li, Yuanhui Lang
  • Patent number: 12051027
    Abstract: An information processing method causes a computer to execute acquiring a first delivery schedule generated based on a plurality of first destinations and a moving unit for providing delivery or service based on the first destinations, acquiring an attribute of the moving unit, acquiring a plurality of second destinations obtained from a revision in the first destinations after generating of the first delivery schedule, determining a fixed part regarding a destination that is not allowed to be changed on the first delivery schedule of the moving unit, in accordance with the attribute of the moving unit, and generating a second delivery schedule in accordance with the moving unit and the second destinations, without changing the fixed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kawamoto, Hiroaki Urabe, Satoru Hayama, Naoyuki Harada, Atsuyoshi Kita
  • Patent number: 12051157
    Abstract: The present technology pertains to systems and methods for creating and mapping three-dimensional spaces to provide an interactive experience with physical spaces and objects. Preferred embodiments of the method include generating a geometric layout by scanning a physical space; overlaying the geometric layout onto a virtual three-dimensional map of the physical space, the three-dimensional map supported by a content management system; defining an anchor in the three-dimensional map; associating a content with the anchor; receiving, from a device in within the physical space, the device's physical location and orientation; determining, by the content management system, a device location within the three-dimensional map; and outputting to the device, when the device is near and orientated with the anchor, the content associated with the anchor or an indication of the content associated with the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Yap Studios, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Stout, Oliver Wagner
  • Patent number: 12046825
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement for the mobile communication of a rail vehicle and a rail vehicle with an antenna arrangement of the type. The antenna arrangement has at least two transmitting antennas and at least two receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas are spatially grouped in a transmitting group and the receiving antennas are spatially grouped in a receiving group. The distances between the transmitting antennas and between the receiving antennas is smaller than the overall distance between the transmitting group and the receiving group. The antennas can thereby be arranged in a much more space-saving fashion on the vehicles because large distances have to be provided only between the groups, not between the antennas within the groups. Where the space needed is low, interference-free operation of the antennas is thus advantageously possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Kaiser
  • Patent number: 12044785
    Abstract: System includes one or more processors configured to receive location data from a device communication unit and from at least a first communication unit and a second communication unit that are positioned relative to a vehicle. The location data includes a device spatial location of the device communication unit, a first spatial location of the first communication unit, and a second spatial location of the second communication unit. The one or more processors are further configured to determine a vehicle spatial location of a designated point of the vehicle. The one or more processors are further configured to generate a virtual model. The virtual model, when used by a positioning system to locate the vehicle, indicates the vehicle spatial location relative to an estimated location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brett Trombo-Somerville
  • Patent number: 12037034
    Abstract: A method and system for managing guided vehicle traffic over a railway network include a first ATS system regulating guided vehicle traffic over a first regulation domain and a second ATS system regulating guided vehicle traffic over a second regulation domain. The first and second regulation domains have a common boundary. The first ATS system sends, to the second ATS system, configuration and circulation data for a part of the first regulation domain, for regulating guided vehicle traffic on the part according to a set of regulation data from the second ATS system. The second ATS system determines, from received configuration and circulation data, regulation data for an extended regulation domain including the second regulation domain and the part and for sending to the first ATS system the set of regulation data regulating the guided vehicle traffic on the part of the regulation domain of the first ATS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility SAS
    Inventors: Marius Traian Indre, Thierry Bouchet
  • Patent number: 12030541
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a system for state feedback predictive control of a high-speed train based on a forecast error. The method comprises: obtaining a speed prediction model of a high-speed train y ^ k + p = C ? A p ? x k + ? i = 1 p ? C ? A i - 1 ? B ? u k + p - i ; predicting speeds of the train at times k and k+p according to the speed prediction model; obtaining an actual speed output value of the train; determining a speed prediction error at time k according to the prediction speed of the train and the actual speed output value of the train; correcting a prediction speed of the train at time k+p, according to the speed prediction error, to obtain a corrected prediction speed of the train; calculating a control force uk of the train according to uk=??1(p)[yk+pr?yk?Kxk+?k]; and applying a control force to the train based on the control force uk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: East China Jiaotong University, CRSC Research & Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui Yang, Ling Liu, Yating Fu, Yinghe Tong, Zhongqi Li, Junfeng Cui
  • Patent number: 12017692
    Abstract: The system 100 can include: a railroad integration system, a motion planner, a vehicle controller, an optional user interface (UI), an optional fleet management system, and an optional track data system. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to facilitate vehicle control and/or manage authority within a rail network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Parallel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Dunn, Benjamin Stuart Stabler, Marc Greenbaum, Babatunde Ogunfemi
  • Patent number: 12020148
    Abstract: A control system is for a railway yard with railroad tracks. The control system may include RCLs and sets of railcars on the railroad tracks. The control system may include railyard sensors configured to generate railyard sensor data of the railroad tracks, and a server in communication with the RCLs and the railyard sensors. The server may be configured to generate a database associated with the sets of railcars based upon the railyard sensor data. The database may have, for each railcar, a railcar type value, a railcar logo image, and a vehicle classification value. The server may be configured to selectively control the RCLs to position the sets of railcars within the railroad tracks based upon the railyard sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: ITS Technologies & Logistics, LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Mills, Matthew Michael McDermott, Jorge Perez Rincon, Carson Rentz, Edwin Victor Gendron, Jr., Dakota Jarrard Sanders
  • Patent number: 12017691
    Abstract: In example embodiments, techniques are provided for using machine learning to predict railroad track geometry exceedances to enable proactive maintenance. A machine learning model of a rail operational analytics application may be trained to directly output a probability of future railroad track geometry exceedances for each portion of track of a railroad. Training may be performed using all available railroad track data, and the task of selecting which data is relevant to predicting probability of railroad track geometry exceedances may be devolved to the machine learning model. Further, assumptions about the specific railroad and data characteristics may be avoided, providing the machine learning model flexibility, and allowing for dynamic changes in the problem formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Bentley Systems, Incorporated
    Inventors: Marc-André Gardner, Marc-André Lapointe, Lucas Flett, Simon Savary, Andrew Smith
  • Patent number: 12017149
    Abstract: Sets of magnet assemblies coupled to the undercarriage of an amusement kart are provided. Each of the magnet assemblies can include: a suspension component coupled to the undercarriage; magnetic material coupled to the suspension component; and a rotating component coupled to the suspension component. Other sets of magnet assemblies can include a skid component coupled to the suspension component. Amusement park attractions are provided that can include: an amusement kart having one or more magnet assemblies coupled to an undercarriage of the amusement kart; and a track comprising iron plating sufficient to magnetically engage the one or more magnet assemblies. Amusement karts are also provided that can include: a frame supported by front and rear wheels; and complimentary side rails extending along both sides of the frame and between the front and rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Inventor: Brandon Paul
  • Patent number: 12012135
    Abstract: A vehicle warning system and method receive an information notification from a first vehicle system at a second vehicle system. The information notification includes traversal information associated with a position of the first vehicle system and/or an identifier associated with the first vehicle system. The information notification also including a warning that indicates of the second vehicle system is moving too close to the first vehicle system and/or the first vehicle system and the second vehicle system are headed toward an intersection. A decision is made as to whether a response should be sent based on the information notification and sending the response based on the information notification to the first vehicle system. The response includes a command to slow down or stop to avoid a collision with the first vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Abrosimov, Daniel McGee
  • Patent number: 12012134
    Abstract: A method and a system (30) for inspecting and/or mapping a railway track (18). The method comprises: acquiring geo-referenced rail geometry data associated with geometries of two rails (20) of the track along the section; acquiring geo-referenced 3D point cloud data, which includes point data corresponding to the two rails and surroundings of the track along the section; deriving track profiles of the track from the geo-referenced 3D point cloud data and the geo-referenced rail geometry data; and comparing the track profiles and generating enhanced geo-referenced rail geometry data and/or enhanced geo-referenced 3D point cloud data based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Fugro Technology B.V.
    Inventors: Luke William Moth, Martinus Pieter Kodde, Sander Christiaan Florisson, Adrianus Franciscus Wilhelmus Berkers
  • Patent number: 12007787
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and method receive vehicle makeup information from multiple vehicles in a multi-vehicle system. The vehicle makeup information represents one or more characteristics of the vehicles. The vehicle makeup information is received at a controlling vehicle of the vehicles in the multi-vehicle system that controls movement of the multi-vehicle system. The controlling vehicle also receives locations from location-determining devices respectively onboard the vehicles in the multi-vehicle system. The controlling vehicle controls operation of the multi-vehicle system using a combination of the vehicle makeup information received from the vehicles and the locations of the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Abrosimov, Osman Burak Onal, Brian Kurz
  • Patent number: 12005944
    Abstract: For diagnosing a railroad switch with a point machine, a first and a second time series of a sensor signal of the point machine are received. Moreover, changes in the first and the second time series are detected indicating changes of operational conditions of the point machine. Furthermore, an event point of a respective change in the first and in the second time series is allocated to a respective component of the railroad switch or of the point machine based on a simulation modelling the respective component. Then for a respective component: event points allocated to that respective component are identified, the sensor signal at a first identified event point in the first time series is compared with the sensor signal at a second identified event point in the second time series, and depending on the comparison a component-specific fault information and an identification of the respective component are output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
    Inventors: Mohamed Khalil, Stefan Boschert, Ioannis Kouroudis
  • Patent number: 11999416
    Abstract: A steering control device for a vehicle with an aerial work platform 1 in the embodiment a traveling body capable of traveling with a steering wheel, a work platform 30 provided thereon, a steering dial 42, which is biased to be located at a neutral position in a non-operation status, a steering angle detector 62, a steering cylinder 17, and a controller 50 for controlling an operation of the steering cylinder 17. The controller 50 controls the steering cylinder 17 so that a steering angle of the steering wheel becomes a target steering angle corresponding to a steering position of the steering operation tool. As far as a steering angle of the steering wheel detected by the steering angle detector is kept within a predetermined angle range including a neutral steering angle, the steering control unit make a steering control to stop the steering actuator and to maintain the present steering angle of the steering wheel when the steering operation tool returns to the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AICHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoaki Suda, Kotaro Terada
  • Patent number: 11999398
    Abstract: A method of installing/verifying positive train control components begins by entering component details into a data entry screen (e.g., a component type; serial number; name of the installer; train line name; a location description). A rough installation location is determined, and the component is installed. A GPS receiver determines the exact location of the installed component, which is entered with the component details. Photographs of the installed component are attached thereto. An installation icon for the installed component is overlaid on a digital map at the determined GPS location. Toggling the installation icon causes displaying of the data. An inspector physically verifies the entered details and GPS location of the installed component using a verification screen, and a third-party GPS receiver. When the two GPS obtained positions are within a threshold amount, and the details are correct, the inspector toggles a radio button confirming the data, which is otherwise corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel Kerning
  • Patent number: 11999267
    Abstract: A power line system is provided for efficiently using excess electrical energy produced by electric vehicles in a generation mode. A power line detector on the vehicle senses the power line to determine if voltage ripples are present before supplying excess electrical energy from the vehicle to the power line. First voltage ripples are generated on the line by a substation providing power to the power line. Second voltage ripples are also generated on the power line by a ripple generator to allow excess energy from the vehicle to be supplied to the power line in order to charge an energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Adam Ruszczyk, Rafal Jackowicz, Nicolae Stefan Preda
  • Patent number: 11995841
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting a non-contact survey of an overhead crane runway system using a survey apparatus that is alternately located in the crane bay or on a crane bridge girder. Disclosed more particularly are a method and system for testing an overhead crane runway beam 3D alignment or an overhead crane runway rail 3D alignment using a 3D laser scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Falk PLI Engineering & Surveying, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael O. Falk, Sagar Deshpande, Zhengwei Davis Zhang, Nathan Plooster
  • Patent number: 11993298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a moving block train operation control method and system based on train autonomous positioning, where the method is centered on a train-mounted device, autonomous positioning and integrity checking are implemented for the train-mounted device through satellites, and a movement authority and a target distance curve are calculated according to a real-time position, speed, and line state of a preceding train and in combination with train-to-train communication train safety protection technology, thereby achieving moving block. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the advantages that line use efficiency, system work efficiency and operation efficiency are improved, a quantity of railside devices is reduced, and system construction and maintenance costs are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: CASCO SIGNAL LTD.
    Inventors: Yajing Zhang, Qingbiao Xu, Xianliang Xu, Tao Wang, Zhixin Chen, Jiqing Na, Liang Guo
  • Patent number: 11987276
    Abstract: A monitoring system is provided that may include a sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic related to at least one axle of a first vehicle. The monitoring system may also include a controller having one or more processors in communication with the sensor. The one or more processors may be configured to restrict movement of the first vehicle based at least in part on the at least one characteristic related to the at least one vehicle axle, and vary movement of a second vehicle based at least in part on the at least one characteristic related to the at least one vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: IP Transportation Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Janmejay Tripathy
  • Patent number: 11981361
    Abstract: An automation system, an operating method for an automation system, and a computer program product enable communication between assemblies of an automation system connected to each other via a back panel bus, wherein the assemblies can exchange data with each other directly, without sending the data via a master.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: SELECTRON SYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Schöni
  • Patent number: 11981362
    Abstract: A method for determining an actual geometry of a track by a track inspection vehicle which is movable on the track, wherein reference points positioned in a lateral environment of the track are automatically recorded by a non-contacting recording system arranged on the track inspection vehicle and their respective actual distance from the track is determined. A three-dimensional trajectory of the track is recorded by an inertial measuring system arranged on the track inspection vehicle, wherein the trajectory is divided by a computing unit into trajectory sections each having a section starting point related to a first reference point and a section end point related to a second reference point, wherein a virtual longitudinal chord is defined for each trajectory section in relation to the assigned reference points, and wherein actual distances between the trajectory and the respectively defined longitudinal chord are calculated for each trajectory section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TRACK MACHINES CONNECTED GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventors: Florian Auer, David Buchbauer, Martin Bürger, Bernhard Metzger, Fabian Hinterberger
  • Patent number: 11981363
    Abstract: The method S100 can include: determining a remote operation request S110; optionally determining a priority of the remote operation request S120; providing vehicle data to a remote operator S130; responding to the remote operation request S140; and optionally training a model based on the response S150. However, the method S100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method S100 functions to facilitate remote assistance of a vehicle operating within a rail network (e.g., operation of unmanned vehicles within restricted track regions). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate remote validation/verification of vehicle operations and/or rail infrastructure status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Parallel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Dunn, Marc Greenbaum
  • Patent number: 11970194
    Abstract: A terminal device includes a plurality of processing devices, each of which includes: a database; a state managing unit that manages data stored in the database; a request managing unit that determines data to request from an external system and an order in which the data is to be requested from the external system based on a management state of the data in the state managing unit, a management state of data in a state managing unit of another processing device, and a type of predetermined event requiring data in a case where the predetermined event has occurred, the request managing unit being capable of requesting data from the external system on the basis of the order; and an obtainment managing unit that manages a state of obtainment of data from the external system, and a request managing unit of a predetermined processor requests data from the external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mototsugu Kozaki, Masafumi Yamada, Yoko Itado
  • Patent number: 11964683
    Abstract: A train control device including a control logic generation unit that uses an environmental model defined by the number of a plurality of closed sections constituting a track included in a predetermined control target region, a connection configuration of the closed sections, and the number of trains present on the track, a state of the environmental model being changed discretely according to a combination of a position of one control target train that is the train to be controlled, positions of zero or more other trains, and the presence or absence of reservation for each of the closed sections, and generates a control logic that is a logic for transitioning the state of the environmental model depending on the state of the environmental model so as to satisfy a predetermined condition, and a regeneration instruction unit that instructs the control logic generation unit to regenerate the control logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takanobu Handa, Noritaka Yanai, Atsuyoshi Saimen
  • Patent number: 11966231
    Abstract: In a case of changing the traveling speed of a transport vehicle, in order for the traveling speed of the transport vehicle to reach a target speed at a target position that is on a downstream side in the travel path relative to the current position of the transport vehicle, a control unit generates reference speed commands in accordance with a traveling speed time change pattern according to which the travel acceleration changes in a stepwise manner, generates a moving average command obtained using the moving average of the reference speed commands in a set period, and controls travel operations of a travel unit based on the moving average command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 11958515
    Abstract: A method for identifying properties of rail-guided vehicles uses an axle counter to detect vehicle measurement data as the vehicle crosses. The measurement data are analyzed in a computer and speed and distances between vehicle axles are ascertained. A property of the vehicle is ascertained in a computer based on the ascertained speed and distances between axles. A checking step ascertains a pattern of normal distances between axles in that a normal distance between axles calculated by considering a predefined normal speed is assigned to each ascertained distance between axles, and by considering their order, the normal distances between axles merge to form the pattern. The pattern is compared with reference patterns, and upon identified conformity of the pattern and reference pattern, a type linked to the reference pattern is assigned to the vehicle as a property. An apparatus and computer program determining properties of vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Braband
  • Patent number: 11958517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an intelligent train operation adjustment system and method based on real-time passenger flow. The system includes a real-time passenger flow counting module, a real-time passenger flow and transport capacity matching module, and an intelligent train operation adjustment module, the real-time passenger flow counting module counts current real-time passenger flow and inputs the current real-time passenger flow into the real-time passenger flow and transport capacity matching module, the real-time passenger flow and transport capacity matching module matches a current passenger flow demand with a current transport capacity of a line, and the intelligent train operation adjustment module adjusts a working diagram in real time based on the real-time passenger flow and an operation result of the matching module, and adds or removes a train and arranges a path plan for the train with reference to a dispatching plan and device information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: CASCO SIGNAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaoyong Wang
  • Patent number: 11952026
    Abstract: A transport vehicle system includes a track, transport vehicles, placement units to deliver or receive articles, and area controllers that each receive a conveyance instruction from a host controller and control a transport vehicle in a jurisdiction area to execute various instructions. The area controller, in response to receiving from the host controller a conveyance instruction destined for one special placement unit belonging to a jurisdiction area, transmits to another area controller a movement instruction to control an empty transport vehicle to move toward the jurisdiction area, and also controls an empty transport vehicle that has become available in the jurisdiction area after transmission of the movement instruction to execute the conveyance instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazumi Harasaki
  • Patent number: 11952027
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a train identification system and method, and a train safety inspection system and method. The train identification system includes: a remote detection component, configured to acquire overall feature information of an inspected train through remote monitoring; and an identification device, configured to determine at least one of a type and a traveling situation of the inspected train according to the acquired overall feature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yanwei Xu, Weifeng Yu, Yu Hu, Shangmin Sun
  • Patent number: 11956577
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to managing data transmission from a plurality of telemetry devices onboard one or more trains. The plurality of telemetry devices comprises a first telemetry device and one or more second telemetry devices in a vicinity of the first telemetry device at an instant of time. The first telemetry device is configured to detect presence of the one or more second telemetry devices, and to initiate a negotiation process for identifying a designated telemetry device from the one or more second telemetry devices. During the negotiation process, status data associated with the telemetry devices are aggregated. The aggregated status data is further processed to identify a designated telemetry device from among the telemetry devices. The designated telemetry device performs actions for managing data transmission from the telemetry devices based on the aggregated status data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.
    Inventor: Harsh Piparsaniya
  • Patent number: 11952028
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for achieving vital ultra-wideband (UWB) based train control. Train-mounted units and wayside units that incorporate at least two separate and independent radios are used to obtain independent and separate ranging measurements in trains based on communications between the train-mounted units and wayside units. The communications includes communication of ultra-wideband (UWB) based signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, John Albert Plutt, Jr., Kurt Gunther