Method of determining locomotive orientation based on magnetic compass reading, GPS, and track layout

• US 20040267450A1
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Kernwein, Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US10/611,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20040267450A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• 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 25/028 Determination of vehicle position and orientation within a train consist, e.g. serialisation

Abstract

A method of determining locomotive orientation based on magnetic compass reading, GPS, and track layout includes the steps of determining a global position and a heading of a locomotive. Upon determining the global position and heading, it is necessary to communicate these to a track database disposed in a computer located in a predetermined location. The track database also includes a parallel line substantially identical to a predetermined track layout within the track database for comparing the determined global position and heading to the parallel line for deriving an actual orientation of a locomotive.

Claims

1. A method of determining locomotive orientation, said method includes the steps of:

a) determining a global position of a locomotive;

b) determining a heading of such locomotive;

c) communicating said global position as determined in step (a), and said heading as determined in step (b) to a track database disposed in a computer located in a predetermined location;

d) providing a parallel line substantially identical to a predetermined track layout in said track database; and

e) comparing said global position and said heading to said parallel line for determining an actual orientation of such locomotive.

2. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 1, wherein said heading is determined by a heading indicator means.

3. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 2, wherein said heading indicator means is a magnetic compass.

4. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 3, wherein said magnetic compass is located in a short hood end of such locomotive.

5. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 3, wherein said magnetic compass working in conjunction with said computer allows for a predetermined tolerance for errors in an Earths magnetic field.

6. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 5, wherein such Earths magnetic field further includes errors due to soft iron effects.

7. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined tolerance for errors includes the steps of:

a) at least one of adding and subtracting a predetermined declination angle for said heading; and

b) correcting said heading to a true north for compensating errors due to a corresponding tilt of such Earth.

8. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 1, wherein such locomotive can be at least one of moving and stationary.

9. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 8, wherein such locomotive is at least one of a single locomotive and disposed as part of a train consist.

10. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 1, wherein said track database includes at least one of a graphical representation and a mathematical representation of said predetermined track layout.

11. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 1, wherein said parallel line represents a predetermined number of potential orientations.

12. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined number of potential orientations is at least one.

13. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined number of potential orientations is two.

14. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 1, wherein said track database translates said actual orientation into predetermined nomenclature.

15. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined nomenclature is displayed on a predetermined source.

16. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined source is selected from a group consisting of television monitors, computer displays, wall mounted displays, computer printouts, and portable handheld devices.

17. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined source is from a group of said computer displays.

18. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined location is at least one of an office environment and a database system onboard said locomotive.

19. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 18, wherein said office environment is a control room.

20. A method of determining locomotive orientation, according to claim 1, wherein said actual orientation of such locomotive is communicated to at least one of an office environment and a database system onboard said locomotive.