Method and apparatus for distributed power train control
First Claim
1. An apparatus for a railroad train comprising a lead unit, a remote unit and a plurality of railcars, wherein a communications system communicates information between the lead unit and the remote unit, the lead unit controlled by operation of lead unit controls and the remote unit controlled by commands issued from the lead unit to the remote unit over the communications system, the apparatus comprising:
- a lead unit controller for controlling an operational mode of the lead unit;
a remote unit controller for controlling an operational mode of the remote unit; and
a system controller responsive to a status signal indicating an inoperable communications system, responsive to a direction signal indicating a direction of train travel and responsive to the operational mode of the lead and the remote units, the system controller producing an indication of the train condition.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a railroad train (10) comprising a lead unit (14), a remote unit (12A) and a communications system communicating information between the lead unit (14) and the remote unit (12A), wherein the lead unit (14) and the remote unit (12A) are each operable in a traction operational mode and a dynamic brake operational mode. The method comprises determining operability of the communications system; determining a direction of train travel; determining an operational mode of the lead unit (14) and the remote unit (12A); and indicating a train condition responsive to the operability of the communications system, the direction of train travel and the operational mode of the lead (14) and remote units (12A).
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for a railroad train comprising a lead unit, a remote unit and a plurality of railcars, wherein a communications system communicates information between the lead unit and the remote unit, the lead unit controlled by operation of lead unit controls and the remote unit controlled by commands issued from the lead unit to the remote unit over the communications system, the apparatus comprising:
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a lead unit controller for controlling an operational mode of the lead unit; a remote unit controller for controlling an operational mode of the remote unit; and a system controller responsive to a status signal indicating an inoperable communications system, responsive to a direction signal indicating a direction of train travel and responsive to the operational mode of the lead and the remote units, the system controller producing an indication of the train condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling a railroad train comprising a lead unit, a remote unit and a communications system communicating information between the lead unit and the remote unit, wherein the lead unit and the remote unit are each operable in a traction operational mode and a dynamic brake operational mode, the method comprising:
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determining operability of the communications system; determining a direction of train travel; determining an operational mode of the lead unit and the remote unit; and indicating a train condition responsive to the operability of the communications system, the direction of train travel and the operational mode of the lead and remote units. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for controlling a railroad train comprising a lead unit, a remote unit and a communications system communicating information between the lead unit and the remote unit, wherein the lead unit and the remote unit are each operable in a traction operational mode and a dynamic brake operational mode, the method comprising:
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determining that a signal sent from the lead unit to the remote unit over the communications system has not been received by the remote unit; determining a reverse direction of train travel; determining that the lead unit is in the traction operational mode; determining that the remote unit was last known to be in the traction operational mode; and producing a train condition indicating signal. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method for controlling a railroad train comprising a lead unit, a remote unit and a communications system communicating information between the lead unit and the remote unit, wherein the lead unit and the remote unit are each operable in a traction operational mode and a dynamic brake operational mode, the method comprising:
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determining that a signal sent from the lead unit to the remote unit over the communications system has not been received by the remote unit; determining a forward direction of train travel; determining that the lead unit is in the dynamic brake operational mode; determining that the remote unit was last known to be in the dynamic braking operational mode; and producing a train condition indicating signal. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification