Railway Vehicle Speed Control Patents (Class 701/20)
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Patent number: 8000850Abstract: An electric vehicle is described herein which includes a microprocessor based interface module which is used to control electric motors coupled to drive wheels. The interface module is configured to include a backup communications link to allow an operator to control the vehicle in situations where control information is unavailable over a primary communications network.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Oshkosh Truck CorporationInventors: Nader Nasr, Christopher K. Yakes, Rongjun Zhang, Duane R. Pillar
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Patent number: 7983805Abstract: A communications system for a train having spaced apart first and second locomotives each capable of lead and remote operation and rail cars. The first locomotive operating as a lead unit controlling the second locomotive operating as a remote unit. The train comprising a brake system comprising a brake pipe extending a length of the train and controlled by a brake controller in the first and second locomotives. The communications system comprises a communications channel; a station in the first locomotive issuing a first command over the channel to the second locomotive, the first locomotive applying brakes and entering a suspended operational state during which its lead operation is suspended; and a station in the second locomotive issuing a second command over the channel to the first locomotive controlling it to remote operation and controlling the second locomotive to lead operation, and terminating the suspended operational state.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert F. Bryant
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Patent number: 7979170Abstract: A snow removal system wherein snow removers located in remote locations can be monitored and controlled at a computing device. Data collected by sensors on the snow removal unit or data collected from a secondary source can be used to control the operation of the snow removers. In one embodiment, data regarding whether it is snowing at a particular location can be collected by moister sensors on the snow removal device and verified by on-line contemporaneous weather reports corresponding to the same location.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Railway Equipment Company, Inc.Inventors: David K. Fox, Greggory C. Phelps, Randall G. Honeck, Albert Newton
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Publication number: 20110160943Abstract: A regulator includes a regulation computing section for computing and outputting an operation signal allow a process value from a controlled target to agree with a target value, and an output limiting section for restricting the operation signal from the regulation computing section for output to the controlled target. The output limiting section includes a function for outputting a limit deviation signal indicative of the degree of deviation from a predetermined limit. The regulator also includes an over-integration computing section for calculating a previous over-integration signal corresponding to a previous over-integration occurred during a previous control cycle on the basis of the speed-type integration regulating signal delivered by the regulation computing section and the limit deviation signal. The regulation computing section includes a function for allowing the previous over-integration signal to eliminate the previous over-integration by correcting an integral stored in itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 7970504Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Inventor: Matthew A. Katzer
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Publication number: 20110125350Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling merging of a plurality of streams of vehicles in an automated vehicle system. The method comprises: Defining a merge control zone associated with a merge point, the merge control zone defining at least respective sections of the upstream tracks leading to the merge point; detecting a vehicle entering the merge control zone on a first one of the upstream tracks; allocating a passage time to the vehicle, the passage time being indicative of a time at which the vehicle is scheduled to pass the merge point; wherein allocating the passage time is based on a merge priority assigned to the vehicle according to a predetermined set of merge priority rules; controlling a speed of the vehicle responsive to the allocated passage time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: POSCOInventors: Jin Myung Won, Ingmar Andreasson
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Patent number: 7949441Abstract: Method for controlling the level of tractive efforts in a train having a first locomotive at a head end of the train, constituting a lead locomotive, and a second locomotive positioned in the train behind the lead locomotive, constituting a remote locomotive, with the remote locomotive being configured to selectively operate in either of two modes of operation, such as a first mode in which the locomotive operates at a full tractive effort level of operation and a second mode in which the locomotive operates in a partial tractive effort level of operation producing a tractive effort which is less than the full tractive effort of the locomotive. The method allows selecting (e.g., at the lead locomotive) one of the two modes of operation for producing a level of tractive effort appropriate for conditions as the train moves along a length of track. The method further allows transmitting a signal indicative of the selected mode of operation from the lead locomotive to the remote locomotive.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mirza Aref Ahmed Baig, Richard L. Evans, Scott Sexauer, Christopher E. Pallo, Ning Zhang, Steven Andrew Kellner, Leonard Hill, Bruce M. Sweeley, James Glen Corry
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Publication number: 20110118899Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling movement of a train including a plurality of locomotives along a route. In one example, the method comprises, generating a first plan profile, the first plan profile including synchronous settings for the locomotives over a route, and generating a second plan profile based on the first plan profile, the second plan profile including independent settings for the locomotives over at least one region within the route. The method may further comprise, operating the locomotives based in the first and/or second plan profiles. In another example, the method comprises, generating a plan profile with fully independent settings for the locomotives over the entire route, the fully independent settings based on cost function coefficients of each locomotive.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: James D. Brooks, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bernardo Adrian Movsichoff, Ramu Chandra
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Publication number: 20110118914Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling movement of a train including a plurality of locomotives along a route. In one example, the method comprises, generating a first plan profile, the first plan profile including synchronous settings for the locomotives over a route, and generating a second plan profile based on the first plan profile, the second plan profile including independent settings for the locomotives over at least one region within the route. The method may further comprise, operating the locomotives based in the first and/or second plan profiles. In another example, the method comprises, generating a plan profile with fully independent settings for the locomotives over the entire route, the fully independent settings based on cost function coefficients of each locomotive.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: James D. BROOKS, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bernardo Adrian Movsichoff, Ramu Chandra
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Publication number: 20110093144Abstract: A system for communicating data in a train is provided. The system includes at least one respective router transceiver unit positioned in each of at least two rail vehicles of the train. Each router transceiver unit is coupled to a trainline that extends between the rail vehicles. The trainline is an existing cable bus used in the train for transferring propulsion control data between the rail vehicles that controls at least one of tractive effort or braking effort of the rail vehicles. The router transceiver units are configured to communicate network data over the trainline. In one embodiment, the trainline is an Electrically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) trainline and the propulsion control data is ECP brake data used to control operations of brakes in the train.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Todd GOODERMUTH, David PELTZ
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Patent number: 7917345Abstract: A train simulator, including a microprocessor, a display and an input device for the microprocessor. A program drives the display with the track data during simulation, determines if an exception has occurred during the simulation; and provides a multimedia message if an exception has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: New York Air Brake CorporationInventor: Michael J Hawthorne
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Patent number: 7904216Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electric train control apparatus having a plurality of electric motors and a plurality of inverters configured to control electric motors, independently of one another, including shaft speed calculating units respectively, and configured to calculate shaft speeds of electric motors, reference speed calculating unit configured to calculate a reference speed from shaft speeds of electric motors, acceleration detection control units configured to calculate torque reduction values from rates at which shaft speeds calculated, slip speed control units configured to reduce torques in accordance with a difference between shaft speeds of electric motors, state monitoring units configured to monitor states of detecting shaft speeds and output state signals, and changeover unit configured to switch control of inverters, between control performed by acceleration detection control units and control performed by slip speed control units, in accordance with state signals received from state mType: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yosuke Nakazawa, Tetsu Tone
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Patent number: 7904215Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventor: Matthew A. Katzer
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Publication number: 20110046827Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for controlling speed in an automatic train operation, capable of estimating and controlling a speed at which a train should run at each position where the train will run in order to satisfy a restrictive speed profile and to make passengers comfortable by observing acceleration limit and jerk limit in case of accelerating or decelerating the train.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Young Hwan Yoon, Yung Bang
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Patent number: 7890223Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring compliance with a railroad signal associated with a section of railroad track includes a remote aspect compliance subsystem for monitoring compliance with an indication for the section of railroad track represented by an aspect of the railroad signal. The remote aspect compliance subsystem selectively generates corresponding compliance messages, which are communicated via a network to server for display and processing.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventor: Ralph Young
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Publication number: 20110029167Abstract: A train slide control device and a train slide control method capable of further improving the precision of slide control are achieved. The train slide control device comprises: an electromagnetic valve unit; a relay valve that outputs a pressure of the brake cylinder; and a slide controller that includes: a velocity-difference detecting unit that detects a velocity difference of each wheel based on a velocity signal; a deceleration calculating unit that calculates a deceleration of a train based on the velocity signal; a sliding-amount determining unit that determines a sliding-amount of each wheel based on the velocity difference and deceleration; and a brake-cylinder-pressure calculating unit that calculates a pressure control signal for controlling a pressure of the brake cylinder based on: the sliding-amount; a brake command for obtaining a predetermined deceleration; and a signal that indicates the pressure of the compressed air and a pressure of the brake cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Yasuharu Itano, Hiroshi Yamada, Etsuji Matsuyama
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Publication number: 20100332058Abstract: A speed profile for an entire train trip includes a maximum allowable speed at each point of the entire trip, taking into account the ability of the train to comply with speed reductions encountered during the trip. The speed profile includes a braking curve that gradually reduces from a higher speed to a lower speed starting at a point at which the train must begin braking in order to be traveling at the lower speed when the train reaches the point at which the lower speed limit begins. The speed profile is generated on multiple wayside computers, cross checked, and then vitally transmitted to an onboard locomotive control system. The onboard control system includes redundant speed sensors with redundant vital circuits, and also includes redundant speed comparators to ensure that the train doesn't exceed the speed profile. A GPS receiver may be used for greater reliability.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: QUANTUM ENGINEERING, INC.Inventors: Mark Edward Kane, Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper
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Publication number: 20100324761Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electric train control apparatus having a plurality of electric motors and a plurality of inverters configured to control electric motors, independently of one another, including shaft speed calculating units respectively, and configured to calculate shaft speeds of electric motors, reference speed calculating unit configured to calculate a reference speed from shaft speeds of electric motors, acceleration detection control units configured to calculate torque reduction values from rates at which shaft speeds calculated, slip speed control units configured to reduce torques in accordance with a difference between shaft speeds of electric motors, state monitoring units configured to monitor states of detecting shaft speeds and output state signals, and changeover unit configured to switch control of inverters, between control performed by acceleration detection control units and control performed by slip speed control units, in accordance with state signals received from state mType: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Yosuke NAKAZAWA, Tetsu TONE
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Publication number: 20100319565Abstract: An overhead mass transportation system for cities and urban areas may be particularly suitable for environmentally acceptable, or “green”, systems because it can be used to produce power by an optional super solar system deployed, for example, over the tracks. The mass transportation system may meet many current economic and environmental needs. In many urban areas around the world, the mass transportation system can replace buses and taxis on the street, with their noise and pollution, and reduce the use of oil and fuel. The system can also be used for inter-cities transportation, where in can dispense with the need to carry large amounts of fuel for long distance transportation. The system may also be suitable for areas with challenged trains, such as those areas with a high level of floods, snow, or the like. Furthermore, the system may be suitable for desert transportation or transportation over waterways or between islands.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventor: JP H. MOBASHER
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Publication number: 20100318247Abstract: A system for regulating the speed, position and/or power of a powered vehicle, which is traveling on a track system according to a planned trip. The system comprises a database having data relative to the planned trip including a plurality of elapsed travel times associated with a planned speed, position and power. One or more controllers provide data including data relative to an operating speed, position and power of the vehicle during the trip and an operating time at which the vehicle is traveling at the operating speed, power or position. A regulator may adjust the operating parameter of the vehicle if the difference between the vehicle operating data and planned trip data exceeds a predetermined threshold speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
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Publication number: 20100305788Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adapting at least one parameter in a controlled system of a vehicle, wherein at least some of the possible positions of the vehicle within a road network that can be traveled by the vehicle are associated with at least one position-related boundary condition of the road network. The at least one parameter in the controlled system of the vehicle is adapted during travel as a function of the current position of the vehicle based on the position-related boundary conditions that are present there.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBHInventor: Manfred Walter
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Publication number: 20100299007Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an on-board train control device are provided, and are based on converting speed codes received from wayside cab-signaling devices into movement authority limits. The device determines the train location independent of the wayside train detection system, and generates and enforces stopping profiles based on said movement authority limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventor: Nabil N. Ghaly
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Patent number: 7840338Abstract: An apparatus, and related method, for monitoring and controlling the traffic of transport systems, such as railway vehicles, wherein the vehicles include device elements, such as satellite positioning systems, monitored by a series of centralized units to monitor and control adjacent areas. In case of anomalous traffic situations, the system and method provides proper alarm signals and signals for automatically putting into action the breaking systems of the vehicles. To do so, the devices can interface with breaking means and sensors placed along the railway paths and in the vehicles, and exchange positioning data or other kinds of data of various sensors, among vehicles running within a certain mutual distance and can further include a secured memory means for storing data, information and parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: MP S.R.L.Inventor: Marco Paolacci
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Patent number: 7835830Abstract: A device for generating safe status signals of a vehicle (9) that is movable along a given guideway includes data transmitters disposed along said guideway and provided with data (28a, 28b), data acquisition units (21) mounted on the vehicle and used for scanning the data transmitters and for supplying data signals, and an evaluation device (24) connected to said data acquisition units (21) evaluating the data signals. At least two of the data acquisition units (21) are provided which are connected to the evaluation device (24), and the evaluation device (24) has an output (25) for delivering safe status signals when and as long as at least two data acquisition units (21) supply matching data.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Transrapid GmbHInventors: Siegfried Ellmann, Freidrich Loeser
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Publication number: 20100280683Abstract: It is an object to provide a train information management system that performs high-order priority processing of brake commands without using a relay, and that achieves improved redundancy, enables high-speed processing, and achieves high reliability with a simple configuration. For that, by performing high-order priority processing of brake notches that are created by an ATC system, an automatic train stop, and a manual braking device without using a relay, but by performing comparison processing based on logic by a train information management system, the improved redundancy, the high-speed processing, and the high reliability are achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2008Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporaitonInventor: Takashi Miyauchi
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Patent number: 7822515Abstract: An ocean bottom cable system includes a sensor cable configured to be extended from a vessel to the bottom of the body of water. The sensor cable includes a plurality of seismic sensor units at spaced apart locations. A lead in cable is coupled at a to at least one of the vessel and a buoy, and to an aft lead in cable segment. The segment includes a cable loop to compensate water-caused motion of the lead in cable substantially without moving the sensor units. A first swivel is disposed between a forward end of the sensor cable and an aft end of the aft lead in cable segment. The first swivel enables relative rotation between the sensor cable and the segment. At least a second swivel is disposed between the second end of the lead in cable and a forward end of the aft lead in segment.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: PGS Americas, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas C. George, Ole-Fredrik Semb
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Publication number: 20100262321Abstract: A method for improving train performance, the method including determining a rail car parameter for at least one rail car to be included in a train, and creating a train trip plan based on the rail car parameter in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the train.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2007Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Wolfgang Daum, John Erik Hershey, David Michael Peltz, Glenn Robert Shaffer, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, John Borntraeger, Ajith Kumar
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Publication number: 20100241296Abstract: A method of controlling braking of a train that includes obtaining in an on-board computer of the train a brake propagation delay time (Td), a brake build-up time (T) and a maximum brake rate (?max) for the train, and controlling braking of the train in the on-board computer by generating one or more braking signals for the train using Td, T and ?max. Also, a methods of determining for a train a profile velocity to a target position of a selected target, selecting a most restrictive target from among a plurality of targets for a train, and determining a plurality of braking parameters for a train having a train consist, wherein the parameters include a brake propagation delay time (Td), a brake build-up time (T) and a maximum brake rate (?max).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: Ansaldo STS USA, Inc.Inventors: William Stover Rhea, JR., Chinnarao Mokkapati, Robert D. Pascoe, Brian Michael Nypaver
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Publication number: 20100235022Abstract: A method for controlling first (14/12A) and second (12B) locomotives of a railroad train (8), the first (14/12A) and the second (12B) locomotives separated by at least one railcar (20). The method comprises determining a location of the first locomotive (14/12A) and a location of the second locomotive (12B), determining an operating condition of the first locomotive (14/12A) and an operating condition of the second locomotive (12B), determining a first control aspect of the first locomotive (14/12A) responsive to the operating condition and the location of the first locomotive (14/12A), determining a second control aspect of the second locomotive (12B) responsive to the operating condition and the location of the second locomotive (12B), and controlling the first (14/12A) and the second (12B) locomotives according to the first control aspect and the second control aspect, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: General ElectricInventors: Chandrashekar Siddappa, Robert Moffitt
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Patent number: 7788000Abstract: The public highway system includes automated, elevated single lane throughways having wide and narrow gauge rail track arranged in various combinations. A control system regulates spacing of bimodal vehicles while maintaining a uniform speed for all vehicles on the system. The bimodal vehicles perform as conventional automobiles on conventional roadways and as fully automated safe high speed vehicles on elevated single lane, single speed, high-density electric rail guideways using static vertical switching accomplished by operation of variable gauge rail wheels on the vehicle to engage with or disengage from a wide gauge track portion wider than the bimodal vehicles. Vehicles enter/leave the mainline on the narrower gauge track. The wider gauge is for passing over off-ramps or in switching systems. A single lane can handle 15,800 veh/hr including mixed use such as mail, freight, mass transit in captive driverless vehicles with exclusive off-ramps to federal, commercial, industrial and public terminals.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: William D. Davis, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100211238Abstract: The public highway system includes automated, elevated single lane throughways having wide and narrow gauge rail track arranged in various combinations. A control system regulates spacing of bimodal vehicles while maintaining a uniform speed for all vehicles on the system. The bimodal vehicles perform as conventional automobiles on conventional roadways and as fully automated safe high speed vehicles on elevated single lane, single speed, high-density electric rail guideways using static vertical switching accomplished by operation of variable gauge rail wheels on the vehicle to engage with or disengage from a wide gauge track portion wider than the bimodal vehicles. Vehicles enter/leave the mainline on the narrower gauge track. The wider gauge is for passing over off-ramps or in switching systems. A single lane can handle 15,800 veh/hr including mixed use such as mail, freight, mass transit in captive driverless vehicles with exclusive off-ramps to federal, commercial, industrial and public terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventor: William D. David, JR.
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Publication number: 20100198434Abstract: A track brake control system for providing braking of a railway vehicle is disclosed. The control system operates upon receipt of an emergency braking command. The control system includes a member for receiving deceleration information from one or more sensing devices. The control system further includes member for comparing the deceleration information with a reference value or reference profile. Further, the control system includes at feast one regulating device for continuously adjusting a braking demand signal to a track brake so as to cause deceleration of the railway vehicle based on the this comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBHInventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Sidney Maxime Berry, Albert D'Amours
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Patent number: 7756613Abstract: Trains and points are patrolled by a telegram containing the block occupancy information as a section that only one train is permitted to occupy, the information for giving lock position instructions to a point, and the point position information. This telegram is updated in order to get the right of block occupancy that is not held by other trains, and to give lock position instruction to the point. The train checks the block which this train is allowed to occupy, confirms that the point in this block has been set to the lock position specified by this train. Reading the aforementioned telegram, the point checks the lock position instruction given to itself and controls its lock position. A signaling system characterized by reduced designing and manufacturing costs is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Katsuta, Yoichi Sugita, Dai Watanabe, Takashi Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20100168941Abstract: The present invention is directed to the remote control of locomotives, and more particularly to various methods and apparatus employed in implementing systems for such remote control. Contemplated in the present invention are systems and methods for not only reliable remote-control communications, but also the use of repeaters and communications servers to assure reliable, centralized communication between locomotives and operator control units. In another embodiment, there is described a reliable distributed communication mode using an uncorrelated time sequence that does not interfere with a time division multiple access network. Differentiation between the centralized mode and the distributed mode is accomplished by assessing whether a locomotive and control unit is within a rail yard's infrastructure. Moreover, reliability is assured using a coordination server that dynamically routes packets between multiple satellite RCL repeaters based on received signal strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: Microwave Data Systems Inc.Inventors: John A. Geiger, Thomas C. Mayo
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Publication number: 20100168940Abstract: A method for determining slippage of at least one wheel of at least one vehicle having a motor and a processor that communicates velocity commands to the motor for varying a velocity of the vehicle is presented. The method includes determining an actual velocity of the vehicle over regular intervals; comparing, over regular intervals, the actual velocity of the vehicle to the expected velocity from the magnitude of the velocity commands to determine whether there is slip of the wheel of the vehicle; and reducing the magnitude of the velocity commands to equal approximately the actual velocity of the vehicle where there is slip of the wheel. A system and circuit carrying out the method are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventor: Steven Morris KING
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Publication number: 20100152934Abstract: A locomotive brake system includes a plurality of electronic air brake controllers for controlling at least a train brake pipe and a locomotive brake pipe interconnected by a communication network. A communication port and a system controller are connected to the network. The system controller controls the configuration of the electronic air brake controllers for standard mode and remote mode of the brake system and assembling EAB network signals for communication between a remote locomotive controller to be connected to the communication port and the electronic air brake controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: New York Air Brake CorporationInventors: Kevin B. Root, Richard J. Teifke, JR., Brian P. Cameron
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Publication number: 20100153419Abstract: Systems are provided for efficiently managing the effects of a change to a transportation system's state. One example system comprises a plurality of distributed data input and data output terminals, the distributed data input terminal configured to automatically generate data related to a first aspect of transportation system operation, at least one of a distributed database and a synchronized database configured to store data, a plurality of distributed computational engines configured to receive data from at least one database, and based on the data received, automatically manage operations of a second, different aspect of the transportation system operations, and a communications network linking the data input terminals, the data output terminals, the databases, and the computational engines, wherein the change to the transportation system's state is initiated by the data generated at the distributed input terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Wolfgang Daum, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Gerald Rose, Glenn Shaffer, Tom Otsubo, Gerald Hess, JR., John E. Hershey
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Publication number: 20100139519Abstract: System of automatic transport of goods, by means of electric platforms on monorail, with side stabilizer, whereof the platforms have a horizontal side stabilizer with corresponding power point, so that the general system comprises two monorails, for two-way transport with a central support structure between both rails which bears part of the stabilization device, the power point, rolling stock safety device and logistic support elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Gregorio Marquez Murillo
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Publication number: 20100145557Abstract: A wireless DCC model railroad throttle comprises a throttle program operable on a portable data processing device to display a graphical user interface and communicate a user's control inputs to a layout controlling interface managing communication with a digitally controlled model railroad layout.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Matthew A. Katzer
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Publication number: 20100131130Abstract: A computer readable storage medium has a sequence of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to acquire a plurality of actual train speed measurements from at least one sensor during a journey and acquire a train power parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of actual train speed measurements. The sequence of instructions further causes the processor to estimate a plurality of resistance parameters from the plurality of actual train speed measurements and the corresponding train power parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Krishnamoorthy Kalyanam, Paul K. Houpt, Manthram Sivasubramaniam
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Patent number: 7725252Abstract: A device and method for positioning and controlling railway vehicles. The device includes fixed stations (1) including first elements for transmitting/receiving (2) signals and a central control station (3) to which the fixed stations (1) are connected. Each railway vehicle (4) includes second elements for transmitting/receiving (6) signals. The signals transmitted by the first and second transmitting/receiving elements (2, 6) including an identifier specific to the transmitter and at least one message and consist in non-sinusoidal radio signals with very large bandwidth whose spectrum ranges between 1 and 10 GHz. Each railway vehicle (4) and each fixed station (1) include processing elements (8) for determining the identifier and the at least one message of each received signal. The central control station (3) sends command control instructions.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignees: Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et leur Securite (INRETS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)Inventors: Marc Heddebaut, Alika Rivenq-Menhaj, Jean-Michel Rouvaen, Fouzia Elbahhar, Jean-Pierre Ghys
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Publication number: 20100114407Abstract: Methods and a system for a vehicle control system using a reference time profile including an upper control bound and a lower control bound are provided. The system includes an input device configured to receive a required time of arrival at a waypoint and a processor communicatively coupled to said input device wherein the processor is programmed to generate a reference time profile using a first speed profile up to an intermediate control point and a second speed profile between the intermediate control point and an RTA waypoint. The system also includes an output device communicatively coupled to the processor wherein the output device is configured to transmit a speed control signal based on the reference time profile to a vehicle speed control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Joel Kenneth Klooster, Keith Douglas Wichman
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Publication number: 20100114404Abstract: A rail-based system is disclosed for moving materials and is applicable to a number of industries. The invention describes a system of automated self-powered rail cars operating independently to transport material such as ore from a work face in a mine or cargo from a marine port to a major transportation hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventor: Frank Wegner Donnelly
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Patent number: 7711458Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Inventor: Matthew A. Katzer
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Patent number: 7706934Abstract: A portable guide device is characterized by comprising a transport facility start judgment means for judging that a transport facility has begun to move if a period where an acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor (SN3) is included continuously in an acceleration range at the time of starting movement is not shorter than the acceleration continuation time; a distance calculation means for calculating the moving distance of the transport facility according to an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor (SN3) when start of movement of the transport facility is detected; a route information storage means (KC6A) for storing route information including information on a distance between stations of the transport facility and station identifying information for identifying each station; and an announcement device control means (KC1) for controlling an announcement unit (11) which announces guidance of a station to a user of the portable guide device according to the station identification informationType: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Keisuke Onishi
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Publication number: 20100094489Abstract: A system is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train. The distributed power train includes a braking system that switches into an application state upon commencement of the penalty period. The braking system includes a fluid carrying brake pipe which connects a first locomotive and a remote locomotive. The system includes a sensor positioned within the distributed power train, which measures a parameter related to the operation of the braking system. A control processor is positioned within the first locomotive, and is coupled to the sensor. Subsequent to the commencement of the penalty period, the control processor monitors the measured parameter and switches the braking system from the application state into a release state to reduce the penalty period, based on the measured parameter falling within a predetermined safety range. Additionally, a method is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Robert Lyn Moffitt, Louis Cox
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Publication number: 20100094483Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arragement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Dennis J. Denen, Neil P. Young, Gary L. Moreau, Martin Pierson, Robert Grubba
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Patent number: 7693623Abstract: A snow removal system wherein snow removers located in remote locations can be monitored and controlled at a computing device. Data collected by sensors on the snow removal unit or data collected from a secondary source can be used to control the operation of the snow removers. In one embodiment, data regarding whether it is snowing at a particular location can be collected by moister sensors on the snow removal device and verified by on-line contemporaneous weather reports corresponding to the same location.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Railway Equipment Company, Inc.Inventors: David K. Fox, Greggory C. Phelps, Randall G. Honeck, Albert Newton
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Patent number: 7684905Abstract: A system for verifying the integrity of a train having a predetermined length including: a device for communicating and synchronising with a detector of a circuit, detecting the presence/absence of a train, an odometer providing an odometric reference at the start of occupation of the circuit and when the circuit is left by the train, a first processor calculating the distance travelled by the train on the basis of the difference between the two odometric references, a second processor calculating a minimum estimate of the length of the train that is equal to the calculated distance travelled less the algebraic length of the detection circuit, information mechanism indicating that the train is integral when the calculated length of the train is greater than the predetermined length of the train less the length of a wagon.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Alstom Belgium S.A.Inventors: Jean-Pierre Franckart, Eric Lechevin
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Patent number: 7679298Abstract: A method for controlling a wheel speed of a locomotive includes determining an estimated wheel speed (52) for a desired wheel set of a locomotive responsive to a locomotive operating parameter indicative of an actual wheel speed of the desired wheel set. The method also includes generating a first adjustment parameter (e.g., 46) based on an operating condition of the locomotive, and then applying the first adjustment parameter to the estimated wheel speed for generating a first adjusted estimated wheel speed signal (54) used as a first input for controlling a wheel speed of at least one of the desired wheel set and the other wheel sets of the locomotive.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar