TELEMATIC LOCOMOTIVE MICROFLUIDIC ANALYSIS

• US 20120296517A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Inventors: POLING, David G., HAMILTON, Jeffrey A., WALLACE, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,739,763 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/34.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/08 Railway vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/20 using microanalysis, e.g. drop reaction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

Abstract

A fluid analyzing system comprises a telematics device, a fluid analysis control module, and a locomotive management system. The telematics device is coupled with a locomotive. The fluid analysis control module is coupled with the locomotive and the telematics device. The fluid analysis control module is configured for initiating acquisition of a sample of a fluid of the locomotive and providing the sample to a microfluidic analyzer for conduction of a microfluidic analysis in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger. The analysis trigger comprises an operating characteristic of the locomotive. The locomotive management system is located remotely from the locomotive and the telematics device. The locomotive management system is configured for wirelessly receiving results of the microfluidic analysis transmitted from the telematics device.

Claims

1. A fluid analyzing system comprising:

a telematics device coupled with a locomotive;

an fluid analysis control module coupled with said locomotive and said telematics device, said fluid analysis control module configured for initiating acquisition of a sample of a fluid of said locomotive and providing said sample to a microfluidic analyzer for conduction of a microfluidic analysis in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger, said analysis trigger comprising an operating characteristic of said locomotive; and

a locomotive management system located remotely from said locomotive and said telematics device, said locomotive management system configured for wirelessly receiving results of said microfluidic analysis transmitted from said telematics device.

2. The fluid analyzing system of claim 1, further comprising an analysis controller coupled with said fluid analysis control module and configured for initiating a first type of analysis of said sample in response to occurrence of a first analysis trigger and a second type of analysis of said sample in response to occurrence of a second analysis trigger, wherein said first and second types of analyses are different.

3. The fluid analyzing system of claim 1, wherein said fluid of said locomotive is selected from the group consisting of:

oil, hydraulic fluid, locomotive lubricant, antifreeze, coolant, transmission fluid, torque converter fluid, clutch fluid, differential fluid, transaxle fluid, transfer case fluid, brake fluid, battery acid, and windshield washer fluid.

4. The fluid analyzing system of claim 1, wherein said fluid analysis control module is coupled with a part of said locomotive selected from the group consisting of:

an oil filter, oil reservoir, oil fluid line, hydraulic fluid reservoir, hydraulic fluid line, locomotive lubricant reservoir, locomotive lubricant line, brake fluid reservoir, brake fluid line, transmission fluid reservoir, torque converter reservoir, clutch fluid reservoir, coolant reservoir, coolant fluid line, antifreeze reservoir, antifreeze fluid line, transfer case fluid reservoir, transaxle fluid reservoir, battery, windshield wiper fluid reservoir, and windshield wiper fluid line.

5. The fluid analyzing system of claim 1, wherein said locomotive management system is further configured for receiving one or more of operational and location information from a reporting source that is not said telematics device.

6. The fluid analyzing system of claim 1, wherein said analysis trigger is selected from the group consisting of:

elapsed operating time, operating temperature of locomotive, ambient temperature locomotive operates in, exceeding a predetermined RPM level in engine, exceeding a predetermined torque level in transmission, exceeding a predetermined period of time since last sample, exceeding a predetermined locomotive speed, operating below a predetermined locomotive speed, time of day, locomotive power up, locomotive power down, oil temperature, oil pressure, hydraulic fluid pressure, hydraulic fluid temperature, and brake fluid pressure.

7. The fluid analyzing system of claim 1, wherein said locomotive is selected from the group consisting of:

a steam locomotive, gasoline locomotive, diesel locomotive, diesel-electric locomotive, electric locomotive, hybrid locomotive, steam-diesel hybrid locomotive, gas turbine-electric locomotive, fuel cell-electric locomotive, slug, and drone.

8. A method for analyzing fluids comprising:

acquiring a sample of a locomotive fluid in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger, said analysis trigger comprising an operating characteristic of said locomotive;

providing said sample to a microfluidic analyzer for analysis in response to said analysis trigger, wherein said microfluidic analyzer is coupled with said locomotive; and

providing results of said analysis to a telematics device coupled with said locomotive.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a test agent to said microfluidic analyzer for use in said analysis of said sample.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

initiating a first type of analysis of said sample in response to occurrence of a first analysis trigger and a second type of analysis of said sample in response to occurrence of a second analysis trigger, wherein said first and second types of analyses are different.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting said result from said telematics device for receipt by a locomotive management system, said locomotive management system located remotely from said locomotive and said telematics device; and

automatically comparing said result with result response rules maintained at said locomotive management system; and

initiating a response prescribed by said result response rules, said response initiated by said locomotive management system.

12. An fluid analysis control module comprising:

an analysis controller configured for initiating analysis of a sample of a locomotive fluid by a microfluidic analyzer in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger; and

a result compiler configured for accessing an analysis result from said microfluidic analyzer and providing said analysis result to a telematics device,

wherein said fluid analysis control module is coupled with a locomotive from which said sample originates.

13. The fluid analysis control module of claim 12, further comprising:

an agent source configured to couple with said microfluidic analyzer and to provide a testing agent for use in said analysis of said sample.

14. The fluid analysis control module of claim 12, wherein said analysis controller is further configured for initiating a first type of analysis of said sample in response to occurrence of a first analysis trigger and a second type of analysis of said sample in response to occurrence of a second analysis trigger, wherein said first and second types of analyses are different.

15. The fluid analysis control module of claim 12, wherein said locomotive fluid is selected from the group consisting of:

oil, hydraulic fluid, drilling fluid, locomotive lubricant, antifreeze, coolant, transmission fluid, torque converter fluid, clutch fluid, differential fluid, transaxle fluid, transfer case fluid, brake fluid, battery acid, and windshield washer fluid.

16. The fluid analysis control module of claim 12, further comprising a fluid coupling with a part of said locomotive selected from the group consisting of:

an oil filter, oil reservoir, oil fluid line, hydraulic fluid reservoir, hydraulic fluid line, locomotive lubricant reservoir, locomotive lubricant line, drilling fluid line, brake fluid reservoir, brake fluid line, transmission fluid reservoir, torque converter reservoir, clutch fluid reservoir, coolant reservoir, coolant fluid line, antifreeze reservoir, antifreeze fluid line, transfer case fluid reservoir, transaxle fluid reservoir, battery, windshield wiper fluid reservoir, windshield wiper fluid line, and fluid filter.

17. The fluid analysis control module of claim 12, wherein said analysis trigger is selected from the group consisting of:

elapsed operating time, operating temperature of locomotive, ambient temperature locomotive operates in, exceeding a predetermined RPM level in engine, exceeding a predetermined locomotive speed, operating below a predetermined locomotive speed, exceeding a predetermined torque level in transmission, exceeding a predetermined period of time since last sample, time of day, locomotive power up, locomotive power down, oil temperature, oil pressure, hydraulic fluid pressure, hydraulic fluid temperature, and brake fluid pressure.

18. The fluid analysis control module of claim 12, wherein said locomotive is selected from the group consisting of:

a steam locomotive, gasoline locomotive, diesel locomotive, diesel-electric locomotive, electric locomotive, hybrid locomotive, steam-diesel hybrid locomotive, gas turbine-electric locomotive, fuel cell-electric locomotive, slug, and drone.

19. A locomotive comprising:

a telematics device physically coupled with said locomotive; and

a fluid analysis control module fluidly coupled with said locomotive and electronically coupled with said telematics device, said fluid analysis control module comprising;

an analysis controller configured for initiating analysis of a sample of a locomotive fluid by a microfluidic analyzer in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger; and

a result compiler configured for accessing an analysis result from said microfluidic analyzer and providing said analysis result to a telematics device.

20. The locomotive of claim 19, wherein said locomotive fluid is selected from the group consisting of:

oil, hydraulic fluid, drilling fluid, locomotive lubricant, antifreeze, coolant, transmission fluid, torque converter fluid, clutch fluid, differential fluid, transaxle fluid, transfer case fluid, brake fluid, battery acid, and windshield washer fluid.

21. The locomotive of claim 19, wherein said fluid analysis control module is fluidly coupled with a part of said locomotive selected from the group consisting of:

an oil filter, oil reservoir, oil fluid line, hydraulic fluid reservoir, hydraulic fluid line, locomotive lubricant reservoir, locomotive lubricant line, drilling fluid line, brake fluid reservoir, brake fluid line, transmission fluid reservoir, torque converter reservoir, clutch fluid reservoir, coolant reservoir, coolant fluid line, antifreeze reservoir, antifreeze fluid line, transfer case fluid reservoir, transaxle fluid reservoir, battery, windshield wiper fluid reservoir, and windshield wiper fluid line.

22. The locomotive of claim 19, wherein said analysis trigger is selected from the group consisting of:

elapsed operating time, operating temperature of locomotive, ambient temperature locomotive operates in, exceeding a predetermined RPM level in engine, exceeding a predetermined locomotive speed, operating below a predetermined locomotive speed, exceeding a predetermined torque level in transmission, exceeding a predetermined period of time since last sample, time of day, locomotive power up, locomotive power down, oil temperature, oil pressure, hydraulic fluid pressure, hydraulic fluid temperature, and brake fluid pressure.