Logistics System and Method With Position Control

• US 20050216142A1
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Herzog Contracting
• Original Assignee: Herzog Contracting
• Inventors: Bounds, Ivan E., Herzog, Stanley M., Poggemiller, Randy L., Schmitz, Ronald A.
• Application Number:
  US10/908,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216142A1
• 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 system for distributing ballast along a railway having at least one area with ballast deficiency, comprising:

a railcar for traveling on the railway, said railcar having a hopper for containing ballast;

a discharge mechanism for said hopper having an open condition for discharging ballast and a closed condition for retaining ballast in the hopper;

travel distance measuring means for measuring the distance said railcar has traveled from a location that is a known distance from said area; and

means responsive to said travel distance measuring means for generating a control signal affecting the open condition of said discharge mechanism when the railcar reaches said area.

2. A system for distributing ballast along a railway having at least one area with ballast deficiency, comprising:

a railcar for traveling on the railway, said railcar having a hopper for containing ballast;

a discharge mechanism for said hopper having an open condition for discharging ballast and a closed condition for retaining ballast in the hopper;

an encoder on said railcar operable to measure travel distance of the railcar to detect when the railcar has reached said area; and

means for affecting the open condition of said discharge mechanism when said encoder detects that the railcar has reached said area.

3. A system for distributing ballast along a railway having a roadside marker a known distance from an area of the railway that is deficient in ballast, comprising:

a railcar for traveling along the railway, said railcar having a container for holding ballast;

a discharge mechanism on said container having an open condition for discharging ballast from the container and a closed condition for retaining ballast in the container;

a detector on the railcar for detecting when the railcar has reached said roadside marker;

travel distance measuring means for measuring the distance said railcar has traveled from the location at which said detector detects the roadside marker, thereby providing a means to determine when the railcar is at said area; and

means for affecting the open condition of said discharge mechanism upon a determination that the railcar is at said area.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said travel distance measuring means comprises an encoder on the railcar.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said encoder is operable to count rotations of a wheel of said railcar.

6. A method of distributing ballast from a railcar traveling on a railway having a roadside marker a known distance from an area of the railway that is deficient in ballast, said method comprising:

detecting when the railcar has reached said roadside marker;

measuring the distance the railcar travels from the time it has reached said marker to determine when the railcar has reached said area; and

discharging ballast from the railcar when the railcar has reached said area.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6, wherein said measuring step comprises counting the rotations of a wheel of the railcar.