SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING A BRAKING SCHEDULE OF A POWERED SYSTEM TRAVELING ALONG A ROUTE

• US 20090125170A1
• Filed: 01/13/2009
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: High Point Pharmaceuticals, LLC, GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: High Point Pharmaceuticals, LLC
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith Kuttannair, Peltz, David Michael, Noffsinger, Joseph Forrest
• Granted Patent: US 8,180,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/16 for vehicles comprising converters between the power source and the motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

An optimization system is provided for a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route. The braking schedule is based on at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system and is configured to be enacted in a braking region along the route. The optimization system includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the operation of the powered system. Additionally, the system includes a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive parameter data. The processor compares the measured parameter with an expected parameter, which is based on the at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system. The processor adjusts the at least one predetermined characteristic based on the comparison, and adjusts the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the at least one predetermined characteristic. A method is also provided for optimizing a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route.

Claims

1. An optimization system for a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route, said braking schedule is based on at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system and is configured to be enacted in a braking region along said route, said optimization system comprising:

a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to an operation of the powered system; and

a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive data of the parameter;

wherein said processor is configured to compare the measured parameter with an expected parameter, said expected parameter is based on said at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system;

wherein said processor is configured to adjust the at least one predetermined characteristic based on the comparison; and

wherein said processor is configured to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the at least one predetermined characteristic.

2. The optimization system of claim 1, wherein said measured and expected parameters are related to an operation of at least one of a motoring system and a braking system of the powered system;

and said at least one predetermined characteristic is one of a performance rating of the respective motoring system and braking system and/or a physical characteristic of the powered system.

3. The optimization system of claim 2,

wherein said motoring system includes an engine coupled to a plurality of traction motors coupled to a respective plurality of wheels of the powered system;

said expected parameter is a minimum acceleration during the operation of the motoring system;

said minimum acceleration is based on at least one of an activation level of the motoring system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein a respective sensor is configured to measure an acceleration of the powered system during the operation of the motoring system; and

wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured acceleration with the minimum acceleration; and

said processor is further configured to adjust the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparison, and to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the predetermined mass of the powered system.

4. The optimization system of claim 3,

wherein a respective sensor is configured to measure the grade level of the route during the operation of the motoring system;

and

wherein the processor includes a memory to store a predetermined grade level of the route;

said processor is configured to compare the measured grade level with the predetermined grade level; and

said processor is further configured to adjust the stored predetermined grade level in the memory based on the comparison.

5. The optimization system of claim 3, wherein subsequent to the comparison of the measured acceleration with the minimum acceleration, said processor is configured to determine whether a difference in the measured acceleration and the minimum acceleration is based on a secondary cause apart from the adjustment to the predetermined mass.

6. The optimization system of claim 3,

wherein subsequent to the comparison of the measured acceleration with the minimum acceleration, said processor is configured to determine whether a difference in the measured acceleration and the minimum acceleration is based on a secondary cause apart from the adjustment to the predetermined mass;

and wherein said secondary cause includes one of an ambient weather condition and/or a structural feature of the powered system traveling along the route.

7. The optimization system of claim 2,

wherein said braking system is a dynamic braking system including a plurality of traction motors coupled to a respective plurality of wheels, said plurality of traction motors being electrically coupled to a plurality of grids;

said expected parameter is one of a minimum deceleration and/or a minimum current generated by the plurality of traction motors to the plurality of grids during the operation of the braking system;

said expected parameter is based on at least one of an activation level of the braking system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein a respective sensor is configured to measure a deceleration and/or a current generated by the traction motors to the plurality of grids; and

wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured deceleration and/or the measured current with the minimum deceleration and/or the minimum current;

said processor is further configured to adjust the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparison, and to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the predetermined mass of the powered system.

8. The optimization system of claim 7,

wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured current with the minimum current, to adjust the performance rating of the braking system, based upon the difference between the measured current and the minimum current;

and wherein said processor is further configured to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the performance rating of the braking system.

9. The optimization system of claim 2,

wherein said powered system is a train including at least one locomotive consist and at least one rail car;

said braking system is an air braking system including;

an air pipe extending at least part of a length of the train;

a reservoir within at least one of a locomotive of the locomotive consist and the rail car; and

a respective valve to controllably couple the reservoir and the air pipe, said respective valve coupled to the processor, and said processor configured to open said valve and permit air to enter the reservoir from the air pipe based on a pressure within said air pipe decreasing to a predetermined threshold below a pressure within the reservoir;

wherein said expected parameter is one of a minimum deceleration, an expected pressure within said air pipe, and/or an expected rate of change of pressure within said air pipe during the operation of the braking system;

said expected parameter is based on at least one of an activation level of the braking system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein a respective sensor is configured to measure the deceleration, the pressure at incremental locations along the length of the train, and/or the rate of change of pressure within said air pipe; and

wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured deceleration, the measured pressure, and/or the measured rate of change of pressure within the air pipe, with the respective minimum acceleration, expected pressure, and/or expected rate of change;

said processor is further configured to adjust the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparison, and to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the predetermined mass of the powered system.

10. The optimization system of claim 9,

wherein a respective sensor is positioned within the reservoir, and is configured to measure a pressure within the reservoir prior to an adjustment to the activation level of the braking system;

wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured pressure within the respective reservoir with the measured pressure within the air pipe, to adjust the performance rating of the braking system, based upon the difference between the measured pressure within the respective reservoir and the measured pressure within the air pipe; and

wherein said processor is further configured to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the performance rating of the braking system.

11. The optimization system of claim 2,

wherein said powered system is a train including at least one locomotive consist and at least one rail car, and said braking system is an air braking system including:

an air pipe extending at least part of a length of the train;

a reservoir within at least one of a locomotive of the locomotive consist and the rail car; and

a respective valve to controllably couple the reservoir and the air pipe, said respective valve coupled to the processor, and said processor configured to open said valve and permit air to enter the reservoir from the air pipe based on an air flow within said air pipe decreasing to a predetermined threshold below an air flow within the reservoir;

wherein said expected parameter is one of a minimum deceleration, an expected air flow within said air pipe, and/or an expected rate of change of air flow within said air pipe during the operation of the braking system;

said expected parameter is based on at least one of an activation level of the braking system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein a respective sensor is configured to measure the deceleration, the air flow at incremental locations along the length of the train and/or the rate of change of air flow within said air pipe; and

wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured deceleration, the measured air flow, and/or the measured rate of change of air flow within the air pipe, with the respective minimum acceleration, expected air flow, and/or an expected rate of change of air flow;

said processor is further configured to adjust the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparison, and to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the predetermined mass of the powered system.

12. A method for optimizing a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route, said method comprising:

enacting a braking schedule in a braking region along said route, said braking schedule being based on at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system;

measuring a parameter related to an operation of the powered system;

comparing the measured parameter with an expected parameter, said expected parameter is based on said at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system;

adjusting the at least one predetermined characteristic based on the comparing; and

adjusting the braking schedule based on the adjusting to the at least one predetermined characteristic.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said measured and expected parameters are related to an operation of at least one of a motoring system and a braking system of the powered system;

and said at least one predetermined characteristic is one of a performance rating of the respective motoring system and braking system and/or a physical characteristic of the powered system.

14. The method of claim 13,

wherein said motoring system includes an engine coupled to a plurality of traction motors coupled to a respective plurality of wheels of the powered system;

said expected parameter is a minimum acceleration during the operation of the motoring system;

said minimum acceleration is based on at least one of an activation level of the motoring system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein said measuring includes measuring an acceleration of the powered system during the operation of the motoring system;

wherein said comparing includes comparing the measured acceleration with the respective minimum acceleration; and

wherein said adjusting the at least one predetermined characteristic includes adjusting the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein subsequent to the comparing of the measured acceleration with the respective minimum acceleration, said method includes determining whether a difference between the measured acceleration and the respective minimum acceleration is attributable to a secondary cause other than the adjustment to the predetermined mass.

16. The method of claim 13,

wherein said measuring includes measuring the grade level of the route during the operation of the motoring system;

wherein said comparing includes comparing the measured grade level with a predetermined grade level; and

wherein said adjusting the at least one predetermined characteristic includes adjusting the predetermined grade level of the route based on the comparing.

17. The method of claim 13,

wherein said braking system is a dynamic braking system including a plurality of traction motors coupled to a respective plurality of wheels, said plurality of traction motors being electrically coupled to a plurality of grids;

said expected parameter is one of a minimum deceleration and/or a minimum current generated by the plurality of traction motors to the plurality of grids during the operation of the braking system;

said expected parameter is based on at least one of an activation level of the braking system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein said measuring includes measuring a deceleration and/or a current generated by the traction motors to the plurality of grids;

wherein said comparing includes comparing the measured acceleration and/or the measured current with the respective minimum deceleration and/or the minimum current; and

wherein said adjusting of the at least one predetermined characteristic includes adjusting the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparing.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein subsequent to said comparing the measured current with the minimum current, said method includes:

adjusting the performance rating of the braking system, based upon a difference between the measured current and the minimum current; and

adjusting the braking schedule based on the adjusting of the braking system.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said powered system is a train including at least one locomotive consist and at least one rail car;

said braking system is an air braking system including;

an air pipe extending at least part of a length of the train;

a reservoir within at least one of a locomotive of the locomotive consist and the rail car; and

a respective valve to controllably couple the reservoir and the air pipe, based on a pressure within said air pipe decreasing to a predetermined threshold below a pressure within the reservoir;

wherein said expected parameter is one of a minimum deceleration, a pressure within said air pipe, and/or a rate of change of pressure within said air pipe during the operation of the braking system;

said expected parameter is based on at least one of an activation level of the braking system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein said measuring includes measuring the deceleration, the pressure at incremental locations along the length of the train, and/or the rate of change of pressure within said air pipe;

wherein said comparing includes comparing the measured deceleration, the measured pressure, and/or the measured rate of change of pressure within the air pipe with the respective minimum deceleration, expected pressure, and/or expected rate of change; and

wherein said adjusting the at least one predetermined characteristic includes adjusting the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparing.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a respective sensor is positioned within the reservoir, and is configured to measure a pressure within the reservoir prior to an adjustment to the activation level of the braking system;

said method further includes;

comparing the measured pressure within the respective reservoir with the measured pressure within the air pipe;

adjusting the performance rating of the braking system, based upon the difference between the measured pressure within the respective reservoir and the measured pressure within the air pipe; and

adjusting the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the performance rating of the braking system.

21. The method of claim 13,

wherein said powered system is a train including at least one locomotive consist and at least one rail car;

said braking system is an air braking system including;

an air pipe extending at least part of a length of the train;

a reservoir within at least one of a locomotive of the locomotive consist and the rail car; and

a respective valve to controllably couple the reservoir and the air pipe, based on an air flow within said air pipe decreasing to a predetermined threshold below an air flow within the reservoir;

wherein said expected parameter is one of a minimum deceleration, the air flow within said air pipe, and/or a rate of change of air flow within said air pipe during the operation of the braking system;

said expected parameter is based on at least one of an activation level of the braking system, a grade level of the route, and/or a predetermined mass of the powered system;

wherein said measuring includes measuring the deceleration, the air flow at incremental locations along the length of the train, and/or the rate of change of air flow within said air pipe;

wherein said comparing includes comparing the measured deceleration, the measured air flow, and/or the measured rate of change of air flow within the air pipe with the respective minimum deceleration, expected air flow, and/or expected rate of change of air flow; and

wherein said adjusting the at least one predetermined characteristic includes adjusting the predetermined mass of the powered system based on the comparing.

22. A locomotive comprising:

a locomotive traction assembly comprising;

a chassis; and

a motoring system and a braking system attached to and supported by the chassis;

a sensor attached to the traction assembly and configured to measure a parameter related to an operation of the motoring system and/or braking system;

a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive data of the measured parameter;

wherein the processor is configured to control the motoring system and/or the braking system to enact a braking schedule in a braking region along a route of the locomotive, said braking schedule is based on at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system;

wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured parameter with an expected parameter, said expected parameter is based on or otherwise relates to said at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system;

wherein the processor is configured to adjust the at least one predetermined characteristic based on the comparison; and

wherein the processor is configured to adjust the braking schedule based on the adjustment of the at least one predetermined characteristic, said predetermined characteristic being one of a performance rating of the motoring system and/or braking system and/or a physical characteristic of the powered system.