Method and system for controlling locomotives
First Claim
1. A method for self-directed operation of a locomotive in a rail yard using a control system on the locomotive for controlling locomotive operations comprising:
- establishing at least one operational area within the rail yard;
associating an operational parameter with each operational area;
operating the locomotive within the rail yard using the control system;
sensing a location of the locomotive within the operational area;
determining whether the locomotive is operating within the operational parameter established for the area of its location; and
if the locomotive is determined not to be operating within the operational parameter, automatically controlling an operation of the locomotive to operate within the respective operational parameter, without operator input to the control system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system (10) for self-directed operation of a locomotive (12) in a rail yard (82) using a control system (64) on the locomotive for controlling locomotive operations. The method includes establishing at least one operational area (e.g. 74, 76, 78) within the rail yard and associating an operational parameter with each area. The method also includes operating the locomotive using the control system and sensing a location of the locomotive within an operational area. The method further includes determining whether the locomotive is operating within the operational parameter established for the area of its location. If the locomotive is determined not to be operating within the operational parameter, an operation of the locomotive is automatically controlled to operate within the respective operational parameter, without operator input to the control system. The system includes a location detector (62) in communication with the control system to automatically control locomotive operation.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for self-directed operation of a locomotive in a rail yard using a control system on the locomotive for controlling locomotive operations comprising:
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establishing at least one operational area within the rail yard;
associating an operational parameter with each operational area;
operating the locomotive within the rail yard using the control system;
sensing a location of the locomotive within the operational area;
determining whether the locomotive is operating within the operational parameter established for the area of its location; and
if the locomotive is determined not to be operating within the operational parameter, automatically controlling an operation of the locomotive to operate within the respective operational parameter, without operator input to the control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for self-directed control of operation of a locomotive in a rail yard comprising:
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a location detector on the locomotive for determining a location of the locomotive; and
a control system on the locomotive in communication with the location detector and responsive to the sensed location of the locomotive to automatically control the operation of the locomotive in the rail yard without operator input. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. The system of claim 18, wherein the location detector comprises a GPS receiver carried on the locomotive.
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19. A method of controlling operation of a locomotive comprising:
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positioning a transponder encoded with first locomotive operation information along a rail;
updating the first locomotive operation information with second locomotive operation information responsive to a first train passing the transponder to generate updated locomotive operation information;
transmitting the updated locomotive operation information from the transponder to a second train passing the transponder; and
controlling operation of the second train responsive to the updated locomotive operation information.
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20. A method of controlling the operation of a locomotive comprising:
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positioning a transponder along a rail remote from a switch;
encoding the transponder with information responsive to a position of the switch;
transmitting the information from the transponder to a locomotive traveling along the rail; and
controlling movement of the locomotive through the switch in response to the information.
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21. A method of controlling the operation of a locomotive comprising:
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positioning a transponder encoded with locomotive operation information proximate a rail track;
transmitting the locomotive operation information from the transponder to a locomotive passing the transponder; and
providing data indicative of locomotive operation information to an operator of the locomotive.
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Specification