Methods and Systems for Improved Throttle Control and Coupling Control for Locomotive and Associated Train
First Claim
1. A multi-mode control system for a locomotive comprising:
- a throttle control device comprising notch settings corresponding to, for a first, long haul mode, control signals for providing respective tractive effort or power from the locomotive;
a master controller, in communication with the throttle control device, and adapted to receive said control signals from the throttle control device and to transmit respective command signals to power-train components of the locomotive to achieve the respective tractive effort or power, the master controller also adapted for sending alternative command signals when a user-operable mode selector is set to one of one or more alternative modes; and
the user-operable mode selector comprising a user interface device in communication with the master controller for selecting one alternative mode of the one or more alternative modes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-mode control system for a locomotive includes a throttle control device having notch settings corresponding to, for a first, long haul mode, control signals for providing respective tractive effort or power from the locomotive, a master controller in communication with the throttle control device and adapted to receive said control signals from the throttle control device and to transmit respective command signals to power-train components of the locomotive to achieve the respective tractive effort or power, the master controller also adapted for sending alternative command signals when a user-operable mode selector is set to one of one or more alternative modes. The user-operable mode selector includes one or more user interface devices in communication with the master controller for selecting one alternative mode of the one or more alternative modes.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multi-mode control system for a locomotive comprising:
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a throttle control device comprising notch settings corresponding to, for a first, long haul mode, control signals for providing respective tractive effort or power from the locomotive; a master controller, in communication with the throttle control device, and adapted to receive said control signals from the throttle control device and to transmit respective command signals to power-train components of the locomotive to achieve the respective tractive effort or power, the master controller also adapted for sending alternative command signals when a user-operable mode selector is set to one of one or more alternative modes; and the user-operable mode selector comprising a user interface device in communication with the master controller for selecting one alternative mode of the one or more alternative modes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for multi-mode operation of a locomotive, comprising:
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selecting an operating mode from one or more operating modes; selecting a locomotive throttle notch position by moving a throttle to the selected notch position; and controlling the locomotive to deliver an amount of tractive effort responsive both to the selected operating mode and the selected notch position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A computer software code for providing multi-mode operation of a locomotive where a computer with a processor is in communication with motoring, braking, control and speed sensing components of the locomotive, the computer software code comprising:
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a software module for the computer for receiving control signals from a user-operable mode selector; a software module for the computer for receiving control signals from a throttle control device; and a software module for the computer for sending command signals to motoring and braking components to operate the locomotive based on a particular mode established by the user-operable mode selector and a particular setting of the throttle control device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A couple detected stop computer software code for use in a locomotive, communicating with speed data input and at least one of motoring and braking functions, for computing a change in speed, comparing the change in speed to a calculated impact speed delta, and sending a control signal to stop locomotive motion upon the change in speed exceeding the calculated impact speed delta.
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20. A couple detected stop computer software code for use in a locomotive, communicating with speed data input and at least one of motoring and braking functions, for computing a change in speed, comparing the change in speed to a calculated impact speed delta, and sending a control signal to stop locomotive motion upon both 1) the change in speed exceeding the calculated impact speed delta and 2) the change in speed exceeding a specified fraction of a determined zero impact locomotive speed.
Specification