Abstract: A system and a method for remedying wheel-slippage while maintaining maximum acceleration power. The present invention monitors the speed of each of the traction motors used to drive the wheels, gears, or pulleys of a device such as the wheels of a locomotive (210) is monitored. If the speed of a particular traction motor exceeds the speed of the other traction motors by a percentage, the wheels that are driven by that particular traction motor are considered to be slipping (220). This is referred to as wheel-slippage. The wheel-slippage is remedied by briefly interrupting the supply of power to that particular traction motor (230, 240). This technique allows wheel-slippage to be corrected without reducing the motive power applied to non-slipping wheels, thereby maintaining maximum acceleration power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC power pack integrated with a micro-controller embedded controller for setting various voltages to accommodate different trains run on a track system. Micro-controller embedded controller (MECC) contains memory for pre-stored information and variable or changing information relating to the operation of the train system and related voltage and waveform requirements. Storage of variable or changing information can be in non-volatile memory or volatile memory with battery back-up. Throttle setting, braking and acceleration are controlled with the MECC connected to a user interface for selecting a number of possible values to increase the realism of the railroad operation. The railroader is capable of setting acceleration and deceleration times. Alternate embodiments provide for uploading/downloading data and information from the present invention to update the variable information pertaining to the operation of various manufactures trains and their operation set points.

Abstract: In this invention there is disclosed a system and method for tuning a speed controller that is used to keep a rail-based transportation system within a prescribed speed limit while providing a smooth ride. A fuzzy logic controller is synthesized to track the performance of a train simulator to a predetermined velocity profile over a specified track profile. A genetic algorithm is used to adjust the fuzzy logic controller's performance by adjusting its parameters in a sequential order of significance.

Abstract: The cab signal and rail navigation systems of a railway locomotive are combined to form a single integrated system capable of acting as an automatic train protection system. The train travels along a railway route equipped with a wayside signaling system that features a multiplicity of wayside signal devices. Each wayside signal device provides to the cab signal system a cab signal inclusive of signal aspect information as to how the train should proceed along a particular segment of the railway route. When the train is traveling on a segment of track from which the cab signal is available, the cab signal system receives the cab signal via the AC track circuit disposed on the rails as the train approaches each wayside signal device. After filtering and decoding the electrical cab signal, the cab signal system communicates the deciphered signal aspect information to the rail navigation system.

Abstract: In this invention there is disclosed a system and method for tuning look-ahead error measurements that is used to improve the train handling performance of a rail-based transportation system. A look-ahead error module along with a fuzzy logic controller is synthesized to ensure that a train simulator complies to a prescribed speed limit over a specified track profile while providing a smooth ride. A genetic algorithm is used to adjust the parameters of the look-ahead error module.

Abstract: A rail vision system visually reads signal aspect information from each wayside signal device of a wayside signaling system. It also warn a train operator of the more restrictive signal aspects and imposes a penalty brake application should the train operator fail to acknowledge the warning. Each wayside signal device communicates from a railway operating authority information including directions as to how the train should proceed along the upcoming segment of railway track. The rail vision system includes a signal locating system and a rail navigation system. The signal locating system isolates visually the upcoming wayside signal device and reads the information therefrom as the train approaches thereto. The rail navigation system determines the position that the train occupies on the railway track and provides the signal locating system with data as to the whereabouts of the upcoming wayside signal device relative to the position of the train.

Abstract: A method for generating a speed control code for a train which is capable of enhancing the operational efficiency of the train, maximizing the train line capacity, and enabling a stable running of the train by detecting the speed of a preceding train and the distance between the preceding train and the next succeeding train of the preceding train and by generating a speed indication code corresponding to the speed of the preceding train, which includes a first step for detecting a speed and a position of the preceding train and the next succeeding train; a second step for generating a speed indication code to each intervening track interval so that the next succeeding train can stop within a predetermined safety distance when the interval between the position of the preceding train detected in the first step and the position of the next succeeding train is within the previously set safety distance; and a third step for generating a speed indication code corresponding to the speed of the preceding train to the

Abstract: A transport system for passive vehicles which move by way of wheels on treadways of a track includes guide surfaces for guiding the vehicles along the track. Each vehicle includes at least one drive roller propelling the vehicle through contact with rotary tubes. An axis of the drive roller is steerable with respect to the axis of the tubes. The vehicle also includes guide rollers adapted to cooperate with guide surfaces of the track. The track includes a trench containing the rotary tubes and a cover disposed atop the trench and having a lengthwise slit.

Abstract: A retardation sensor (20) measures a retardation applied to a vehicle in its longitudinal direction. A speed sensor (28) measures a ground speed of the vehicle at a time point when the retardation exceeds a specified reference retardation. A timer (32) measures a lapse of time period after the time point when the retardation exceeds the reference retardation. A CPU (40) included in a control circuit (30) calculates an amount of deformation of the vehicle from a difference between a value obtained by multiplying the retardation by the ground speed and a value obtained by integrating the retardation twice over the lapse of time period. The CPU (40) then compares the amount of deformation with a preset threshold value. When the amount of deformation exceeds the preset threshold value, the CPU (40) outputs an activation signal to a driving circuit (34), which supplies electricity to a squib (38) in an air bag unit (36) to ignite a gas-generating agent with the squib (38) in response to the activation signal.

Abstract: In a locomotive throttle controller having a digital central processor unit and an output driver mechanism for supplying signals to trainlines which control the locomotive engine throttle setting, reverser, and dynamic braking and for sending feedback signals indicative of actual voltages applied to said trainlines back to said central processor unit, of at least one locomotive, an improvement comprises a digital interface through which external digital equipment can communicate with the central processor unit and devices for communicating via the digital interface between the external digital equipment and the central processor unit such that the external digital equipment may be used to control the at least one locomotive.