Train control system and method of controlling a train or trains
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
- a control unit;
a first positioning system located near a front of a train, the first positioning system being in communication with the control unit; and
a second positioning system located near a rear of the train, the second positioning system being in communication with the control unit;
wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of monitoring information from the first positioning system;
monitoring information from the second positioning system;
comparing the information from the first positioning system to the information from the second positioning system; and
taking corrective action if the comparison indicates that the front of the train has become disconnected from the rear of the train.
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Abstract
A train control system includes positioning systems at the end of the train and at the front of the train, allowing the conductor or engineer to unambiguously determine that no cars of the train have become detached. The positioning system at the end of the train is also used to verify that the entire train has cleared a block. This information can be relayed to a dispatcher, thereby eliminating the need for trackside sensing equipment. A control unit prevents the train from moving without an authorization that includes the train'"'"'s current position.
67 Citations
67 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
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a control unit;
a first positioning system located near a front of a train, the first positioning system being in communication with the control unit; and
a second positioning system located near a rear of the train, the second positioning system being in communication with the control unit;
wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of monitoring information from the first positioning system;
monitoring information from the second positioning system;
comparing the information from the first positioning system to the information from the second positioning system; and
taking corrective action if the comparison indicates that the front of the train has become disconnected from the rear of the train. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling a train, the method comprising:
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locating a first positioning system near a front of a train;
locating a second positioning system near a rear of the train, monitoring information from the first positioning system;
monitoring information from the second positioning system;
comparing the information from the first positioning system to the information from the second positioning system; and
taking corrective action if the comparison indicates that the front of the train has become disconnected from the rear of the train. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
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a control unit;
a first positioning system connected to the control unit; and
a communications module connected to the control unit;
wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of accepting at least one authorization from a dispatcher, the authorization defining a boundary within which a train is authorized to move;
preventing the train from moving from a current location if the current location is not within a boundary for an accepted authorization;
monitoring a position from the positioning system; and
stopping the train before the boundary is reached. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for controlling a train comprising the steps of:
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receiving a speed restriction at a train, the speed restriction including a maximum allowable speed;
determining a position of the train using a positioning system;
calculating a train brake pressure sufficient to prevent violation of the speed restriction based at least in part on a grade of a track on which the train is traveling and at least in part upon the weight of the train;
applying the train brake pressure such that violation of the speed restriction is prevented. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A system for controlling a train comprising:
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a control unit;
and a second unit in communication with the control unit, the second unit being located on a first car of a train; and
a third unit being configured to perform a same function as the second unit, the third unit being located on a second car of the train different from the first car;
wherein the control unit is configured to establish communications with the third unit in the event of a problem with the second unit. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63)
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64. A method for controlling the movement of a train from a section of track not on a main line to a section of main line track comprising the steps of:
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receiving a track warrant to move a train within a block of main line track;
receiving a circulation authority to move from a section of track not on the main line on which the train is located to the block; and
preventing the train from being moved until both the track warrant and the circulation authority have been received. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67)
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Specification