Automated manipulation system and method in a transit system

• US 20040068361A1
• Filed: 06/04/2003
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bombardier Transportation Germany GmbH (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bombardier Transportation Technology Germany GmbH (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: DeGrave, John T., Cross, Michael, Karg, Kenneth A., Emahizer, Chad, Ruhe, William, Krut, Gary S., Clawson, Linda F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,206,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 17/00 Switching systems for classification yards
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/40 Handling position reports or trackside vehicle data

Abstract

An automated manipulation system is provided for manipulating one or more vehicles in a transit system. The automated manipulation system includes a vehicle control mechanism in communication with a vehicle for receiving, processing and transmitting signals for controlling the operation of the vehicle. The system also includes a central control mechanism in wireless communication with the vehicle control mechanism for receiving, processing and transmitting signals for controlling the vehicle control mechanism and thereby initiating a manipulation operation in the vehicle. The manipulation operation is one of: adding a vehicle to the system; removing a vehicle from the system; coupling a first vehicle to a second vehicle; and uncoupling a first vehicle from a second vehicle. A method of automatically manipulating at least one vehicle in a transit system is also provided.

Claims

1. An automated manipulation system for manipulating at least one vehicle in a transit system, the automated manipulation system comprising:

a vehicle control mechanism in communication with the at least one vehicle and configured to receive, process and transmit signals for controlling the operation of the vehicle; and

a central control mechanism in contactless or wireless communication with the vehicle control mechanism and configured to receive, process and transmit signals for controlling the vehicle control mechanism and thereby initiating at least one manipulation operation in the vehicle.

2. The manipulation system of claim 1, wherein the manipulation operation is at least one of:

(i) adding a vehicle to the transit system;

(ii) removing a vehicle from the transit system;

(iii) coupling a first vehicle to a second vehicle; and

(iv) uncoupling a first vehicle from a second vehicle.

3. The manipulation system of claim 2, wherein the transit system includes at least one transfer table comprising a moving section of transit path configured to allow the vehicle to be moved between the transit system and a non-system area.

4. The manipulation system of claim 3, wherein the transfer table moves in a lateral motion with respect to a railway track in the transit system, and the non-system area is at least one of a maintenance area, a transfer area and a storage area.

5. The manipulation system of claim 3, wherein the manipulation operation is initiated by the central control mechanism and requests the addition of a vehicle, at least one of the central control mechanism and the vehicle control mechanism:

(i) verifying that the vehicle includes the vehicle control mechanism and that the vehicle is positioned on the transfer table;

(ii) one of verifying and controlling the relative position of other vehicles in the transit system;

(iii) commanding the transfer table to move into operable communication with a railway track in the transit system; and

(iv) one of adding the vehicle to the transit system and adding the vehicle to a train, the train comprising at least one vehicle.

6. The manipulation system of claim 5, wherein the central control mechanism routes the vehicle in a current direction of traffic in the transit system and initiates a normal vehicle operation mode.

7. The manipulation system of claim 5, wherein the central control mechanism requests that the transfer table be moved out of operable communication with the railway track in the transit system.

8. The manipulation system of claim 3, wherein the manipulation operation is initiated by the central control mechanism and requests the removal of a vehicle, at least one of the central control mechanism and the vehicle control mechanism:

(i) one of verifying that an empty transfer table is in operable communication with the railway track in the transit system and positioning an empty transfer table in operable communication with the railway track in the transit system;

(ii) routing the vehicle to be removed to the transfer table;

(iii) berthing the vehicle to be removed on the transfer table;

(iv) properly aligning the vehicle to be removed on the transfer table; and

(v) one of removing the vehicle individually from the transit system via the transfer table and uncoupling the vehicle from a subsequent vehicle in a train and removing the vehicle from the transit system via the transfer table, the train comprising a plurality of coupled vehicles.

9. The manipulation system of claim 8, wherein the transit system includes at least one berthing station positioned substantially adjacent the transfer table.

10. The manipulation system of claim 9, wherein the transit system includes at least one berthing station positioned substantially adjacent a first side of the transfer table and at least one berthing station positioned substantially adjacent a second side of the transfer table.

11. The manipulation system of claim 2, further comprising:

a first vehicle control mechanism in communication with a first vehicle and configured to receive, process and transmit signals for controlling the operation of the first vehicle; and

a second vehicle control mechanism in communication with a second vehicle and configured to receive, process and transmit signals for controlling the operation of the second vehicle.

12. The manipulation system of claim 11, wherein the manipulation operation is initiated by the central control mechanism and requests the coupling of the first vehicle to the second vehicle, at least one of the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism:

(i) verifying at least one of train length and a communication link between the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism;

(ii) holding the second vehicle at an initial position;

(iii) routing the first vehicle in the transit system to a coupling location;

(iv) maintaining the first vehicle position at the coupling location;

(v) verifying the first vehicle position at the coupling location;

(vi) routing the second vehicle from the initial position to the coupling location in the direction of the coupling location; and

(vii) coupling the second vehicle to the first vehicle at the coupling location.

13. The manipulation system of claim 12, wherein, during the coupling operation, at least one of the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism:

(i) brake the first vehicle when the second vehicle is within a predetermined distance and moving at a known speed;

(ii) brake the second vehicle until the second vehicle reaches a crawl speed;

(iii) maintain the crawl speed of the second vehicle until a predetermined buffer distance is attained between the second vehicle and the first vehicle;

(iv) disable propulsion of the second vehicle;

(v) determine a worst-case distance for the second vehicle, based upon kinetic energy of the second vehicle;

(vi) if necessary, brake the second vehicle; and

(vii) drift the second vehicle into the first vehicle, thereby coupling the second vehicle to the first vehicle.

14. The manipulation system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the predetermined distance and the buffer distance is calculated utilizing specified parameters, including at least one of the known speed, the coupling speed, the grade of the railway track, the mass of a fully-loaded vehicle, the mass of an empty vehicle.

15. The manipulation system of claim 12, wherein the vehicle is positioned in a train consisting of at least one subsequent vehicle, at least one of the vehicle control mechanisms transmitting train length and vehicle data to the central control mechanism.

16. The manipulation system of claim 15, wherein the central control mechanism places protection zone around the train, stores vehicle data and verifies at least one of vehicle data and train length.

17. The manipulation system of claim 16, wherein the central control mechanism selects a control vehicle in the train and assigns a group identifier to all vehicles in the same train.

18. The manipulation system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the vehicle control mechanism and the central control mechanism:

(i) confirms reinitialization of the vehicle;

(ii) removes the protection zone from around the train;

(iii) releases brakes on at least one vehicle in the train; and

(iv) routes the train in the direction of traffic for normal operation in the transit system.

19. The manipulation system of claim 11, wherein the manipulation operation is initiated by the central control mechanism and requests the uncoupling of the first vehicle from the second vehicle, at least one of the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism:

(i) verifying at least one of train length and a communication link between the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism;

(ii) verifying the position of other trains in the transit system;

(iii) assigning a lead control vehicle in the train; and

(iv) uncoupling the first vehicle from the second vehicle.

20. The manipulation system of claim 19, wherein during the uncoupling operation, at least one of the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism:

(i) brake the first vehicle, thereby disconnecting the first vehicle from the second vehicle;

(ii) brake the second vehicle; and

(iii) determine the adjusted train length.

21. The manipulation system of claim 20, wherein the first vehicle comprises a first train and the second vehicle comprises a second train;

at least one of the central control mechanism and a vehicle control mechanism;

(i) determining a first train length and a second train length;

(ii) placing a protection zone around the first train and the second train;

(iii) storing vehicle data for the vehicles in the first train and the second train;

(iv) verifying the vehicle data for the first train and the second train; and

(v) resolving the vehicle data for the first train and the second train.

22. The manipulation system of claim 21, wherein the central control mechanism selects a control vehicle for the first train and the second train and assigns a group identifier to all vehicles in the same train.

23. The manipulation system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the vehicle control mechanism and the central control mechanism:

(i) confirms the initialization status of the first train and the second train;

(ii) releases the braking of the second train;

(iii) provides the second train with an uncouple route, thereby guiding the second train away from the first train;

(iv) verifies that the second train has completed the uncouple route;

(v) removes the protection zone from around the second train; and

(vi) routes the second train in the direction of traffic for normal operation in the transit system.

24. The manipulation system of claim 23, wherein the first train is removed from the transit system via a transfer table.

25. The manipulation system of claim 1, wherein the central control mechanism comprises at least one region-specific wayside control mechanism in communication with a plurality of vehicle control mechanisms and configured to receive, process and transmit signals for controlling the vehicle control mechanisms;

and a main control mechanism in communication with the at least one wayside control mechanism and configured to receive, process and transmit signals for controlling the at least one wayside control mechanism.

26. The manipulation system of claim 25, wherein the wayside control mechanism comprises a regional automatic train protection system configured to regulate vital train functions within a specified region, including at least one of vital train route selection and conflict points, and a regional automatic train operation system configured to regulate non-vital train functions within a specified region, including at least one of non-vital train route selection and signal display.

27. The manipulation system of claim 25, wherein the vehicle control mechanism comprises a vehicle automatic train protection system configured to regulate vital vehicle functions, including at least one of positive train separation, safe speed determination, position determination, enabling vehicle door operation, train initialization, trainline control and monitoring, sensor processing, holding the vehicle in a stopped position during passenger exchange and communicating with the central control mechanism, and a vehicle automatic train operation system configured to regulate non-vital vehicle functions, including speed control under safe speed limit, door opening and closing, controlling passenger information devices, displaying information on a diagnostic display, diagnostic logging and fault logging.

28. The manipulation system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control mechanism is configured to wirelessly transmit a signal representative of the associated vehicle and the central control mechanism is configured to receive and process the signal, thereby identifying the vehicle.

29. The manipulation system of claim 28, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a unique identification tag configured to transmit a unique identification data signal related to the associated vehicle, and the central control mechanism includes a reader device configured to receive and process the unique identification data signal.

30. The manipulation system of claim 29, wherein the unique identification data signal is in the form of at least one of a radio frequency signal, a digital signal and an analog signal.

31. The manipulation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vehicle control mechanism and the central control mechanism include a collision control unit configured to determine a coupling speed.

32. The manipulation system of claim 31, wherein the coupling speed is based upon vehicle kinetic energy.

33. The manipulation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vehicle control mechanism and the central control mechanism is configured to validate that a transfer table contains an initialized vehicle, verifying that at least one other vehicle on a guideway is not stopped outside of a station during a manipulation operation, verifying that the transfer table is in an appropriate position and verifying that coupling and uncoupling conditions are met prior to a coupling and uncoupling operation.

34. The manipulation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vehicle control mechanism and the central control mechanism is in the form of at least one of a personal computer, a computing device, a central processing unit and a printed circuit board.

35. A method of automatically manipulating at least one vehicle in a railway system, comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle control mechanism in communication with the at least one vehicle for controlling the operation of the vehicle;

providing a central control mechanism in wireless communication with the vehicle control mechanism for controlling the vehicle control mechanism; and

initiating at least one manipulation operation in the vehicle.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of at least one of:

(i) adding a vehicle to the transit system;

(ii) removing a vehicle from the transit system;

(iii) coupling a first vehicle to a second vehicle; and

(iv) uncoupling a first vehicle from a second vehicle.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

initiating a manipulation operation and requesting the addition of a vehicle, at least one of the central control mechanism and the vehicle control mechanism;

verifying that the vehicle includes the vehicle control mechanism and that the vehicle is positioned on the transfer table;

one of verifying and controlling the relative position of other vehicles in the transit system;

commanding a transfer table to move into operable communication with a railway track in the transit system; and

one of adding the vehicle individually to the transit system and adding the vehicle to a train, the train comprising at least one vehicle.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

routing the vehicle in a current direction of traffic in the transit system; and

initiating a normal vehicle operation mode.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of requesting that the transfer table be moved out of operable communication with the railway track in the transit system.

40. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

initiating the manipulation operation;

requesting the removal of a vehicle;

one of verifying that an empty transfer table is in operable communication with the railway track in the transit system and positioning an empty transfer table in operable communication with the railway track in the transit system;

routing the vehicle to be removed to the transfer table;

berthing the vehicle to be removed on the transfer table;

properly aligning the vehicle to be removed on the transfer table; and

one of removing the vehicle individually from the transit system via the transfer table and uncoupling the vehicle from a subsequent vehicle in a train and removing the vehicle from the transit system via the transfer table, the train comprising a plurality of coupled vehicles.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

initiating a manipulation operation;

requesting the coupling of a first vehicle to a second vehicle;

verifying at least one of train length and a communication link between the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism;

holding the second vehicle on a transfer table;

routing the first vehicle in the transit system to a coupling location;

maintaining the first vehicle position at the coupling location;

verifying the first vehicle position at the coupling location;

routing the second vehicle from the transfer table to the coupling location in the direction of the coupling location; and

coupling the second vehicle to the first vehicle at the coupling location.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the steps of:

braking the first vehicle when the second vehicle is within a predetermined distance and moving at a known speed;

braking the second vehicle until the second vehicle reaches a crawl speed;

maintaining the crawl speed of the second vehicle until a predetermined buffer distance is attained between the second vehicle and the first vehicle;

disabling propulsion of the second vehicle;

determining a worst-case distance for the second vehicle for based upon kinetic energy of the second vehicle;

if necessary, braking the second vehicle; and

drifting the second vehicle into the first vehicle, thereby coupling the second vehicle to the first vehicle and creating a train.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

placing a protection zone around the train;

storing vehicle data; and

verifying at least one of vehicle data and train length.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a control vehicle in the train; and

assigning a group identifier to all vehicles in the same train.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the steps of:

confirming reinitialization of the vehicle;

removing the protection zone from around the train;

releasing brakes on at least one vehicle in the train; and

routing the train in the direction of traffic for normal operation in the transit system.

46. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

initiating a manipulation operation;

requesting the uncoupling of a first vehicle from a second vehicle;

verifying at least one of train length and a communication link between the central control mechanism, the first vehicle control mechanism and the second vehicle control mechanism;

verifying the position of other trains in the transit system;

assigning a lead control vehicle in the train; and

uncoupling the first vehicle from the second vehicle.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

braking the first vehicle, thereby disconnecting the first vehicle from the second vehicle;

braking the second vehicle; and

determining the adjusted train length.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising the steps of:

determining a first train length and a second train length;

placing a protection zone around the first train and the second train;

storing vehicle data for the vehicles in the first train and the second train;

verifying the vehicle data for the first train and the second train; and

resolving the vehicle data for the first train and the second train.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a control vehicle for the first train and the second train; and

assigning a group identifier to all vehicles in the same train.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising the steps of:

confirming the initialization status of the first train and the second train;

releasing the braking of the second train;

providing the second train with an uncouple route, thereby guiding the second train away from the first train;

verifying that the second train has completed the uncouple route;

removing the protection zone from around the second train; and

routing the second train in the direction of traffic for normal operation in the transit system.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step of removing the first train from the transit system via a transfer table.

52. The method of claim 36, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

regulating vital train functions within a specified region;

selecting a train route;

determining a conflict point;

regulating non-vital train functions;

displaying a signal;

regulating vital vehicle functions;

determining positive train separation;

determining safe speed;

enabling vehicle door operation;

initializing a train;

controlling a trainline;

monitoring a trainline;

processing a sensor signal;

holding a vehicle in a stopped position during passenger exchange;

communicating with the central control mechanism;

regulating non-vital vehicle functions;

controlling speed under safe speed limit;

opening and closing a door;

controlling passenger information devices;

displaying information on a diagnostic display; and

logging diagnostic data and fault data.

53. The method of claim 36, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

validating that a transfer table contains an initialized vehicle;

verifying that at least one other vehicle on a guideway is not stopped outside of a station during a manipulation operation;

verifying that the transfer table is in an appropriate position; and

verifying that coupling and uncoupling conditions are met prior to a coupling and uncoupling operation.