Logistics system and method with position control

• US 20040138788A1
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ivan E. Bounds, Randy L. Poggemiller, Ronald A. Schmitz, Stanley M. Herzog
• Original Assignee: Ivan E. Bounds, Randy L. Poggemiller, Ronald A. Schmitz, Stanley M. Herzog
• Inventors: Poggemiller, Randy L., Schmitz, Ronald A., Bounds, Ivan E., Herzog, Stanley M.
• Application Number:
  US10/742,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138788A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/026 Relative localisation, e.g. using odometer
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 27/02 Placing the ballast; Making ballastway; Redistributing ballasting material; Machines or devices therefor; Levelling means

Abstract

A logistics system and method are mounted on a vehicle and utilize vehicle position control for logistics operations, such as loading and unloading material to and from the vehicle. The position control can be GPS-based and/or based on linear movement of the vehicle, such as movement of a railcar along a rail track. A computer-based position control subsystem mounted on the vehicle is connected to and operates vehicle-mounted components for performing the logistics functions.

Claims

1. A logistics system for a load-carrying vehicle with a load-handling mechanism, which logistics system includes:

a) a position control subsystem including means for generating a signal in response to a position of said vehicle;

b) a control interface for receiving said position-responsive signal and for actuating said load handling mechanism in response thereto.

2. The logistics system according to claim 1 wherein said position control subsystem includes a GPS vehicle receiver for determining a position of the vehicle with the GPS.

3. The logistics system according to claim 1 wherein said position control subsystem includes travel distance measuring means for measuring a travel distance of said vehicle.

4. The logistics system according to claim 3 wherein said vehicle includes a wheel and said travel distance measuring means includes an encoder/counter connected to said wheel for counting revolutions and partial revolutions thereof.

5. The logistics system according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle comprises a hopper-type railcar and said load-handling mechanism comprises a discharge mechanism with a hopper door assembly.

6. The logistics system according to claim 5 wherein said discharge mechanism includes a plurality of said hopper door assemblies and said position control subsystem includes means for selectively actuating said hopper door assemblies.

7. The logistics system according to claim 6, which includes:

a) said position control subsystem including position data storage means for storing data corresponding to predetermined positions of said vehicle; and

b) preprogrammed commands selectively operating said hopper door assemblies in response to predetermined positions of said vehicles.

8. The logistics system according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle comprises a ballast railcar and said load handling mechanism includes a ballast discharge mechanism with a plurality of hopper door assemblies mounted on an underside of said railcar.

9. The logistics system according to claim 8, which includes a hydraulic actuator subsystem including:

a) a plurality of hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units;

b) a plurality of solenoid-actuated valves each connected to a respective piston-and-cylinder unit;

c) said control interface being connected to said solenoid-actuated valves and adapted for selectively operating said piston-and-cylinder units; and

d) said piston-and-cylinder units and being connected to respective hopper door assemblies.

10. A logistics system for a hopper-type railcar adapted for transporting, loading and unloading a bulk material along a rail track, which logistics system includes:

a) a position control subsystem mounted on the railcar and including;

1) a GPS receiver;

2) a computer with electronic data storage for storing data corresponding to railcar positions represented by GPS coordinates;

3) said computer being programmable with instructions for a material unloading operation in response to a railcar position as represented by said GPS coordinates;

4) a decoder connected to the computer and adapted for receiving material unloading commands from said computer as input and further adapted for outputting actuating signals with discrete addresses;

b) an hydraulic actuator subsystem including;

1) a plurality of piston-and-cylinder units mounted on said railcar;

2) a plurality of solenoid-actuated valves each connected to and controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a respective piston-and-cylinder unit;

3) each said solenoid-actuated valve being connected to said decoder and being associated with a discrete decoder address;

4) a motorized pump fluidically connected to said valve; and

5) an hydraulic fluid reservoir fluidically connected to said motorized pump and to said valve;

c) an electrical power source mounted on said railcar and connected to said position control subsystem and to said motorized pump; and

d) a discharge mechanism mounted on said railcar and including a plurality of hopper door assemblies each mounted on said railcar and moveable between open and closed positions thereof by a respective piston-and-cylinder unit.

11. The logistics system according to claim 10, which includes a photovoltaic solar panel mounted on the railcar and electrically coupled to the power source.

12. A logistics method, which includes the steps of:

a) installing a GPS receiver on a vehicle;

b) loading said vehicle with a bulk material;

c) programming an on-board computer with material discharge instructions and GPS position coordinates at which such discharge operation is to occur;

d) receiving signals from the global position system with said vehicle GPS receiver;

e) comparing said GPS position coordinates received by said vehicle GPS receiver to said GPS position coordinates corresponding to a location for said discharge operation to occur; and

f) discharging said material from said vehicle in response to a GPS signal received by said vehicle GPS receiver corresponding to said GPS position coordinates associated with a location for said discharge operation.