Control device for multiple unit locomotive systems
First Claim
1. A control device for controlling a multiple unit locomotive system having a plurality of individual locomotive units each having high and low throttle positions and a plurality of discrete throttle positions between the high and low positions for normal operation of the locomotive system, said control device comprising:
- means for setting a predetermined set speed of the locomotive system;
sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the locomotive system; and
control means operable in response to the presence of a differential between the actual and set speeds to automatically and sequentially vary the throttle positions of the individual locomotive units between the high and low throttle settings thereof in a manner to effect substantial conformity of the actual speed with the set speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic control system for automatically controlling the locomotive units of a multiple unit locomotive consist in a manner to maintain a selected speed of the consist with minimum fuel consumption. The control system includes a microprocessor and related hardware for each unit in the consist. Control and acknowledgement signals are transmitted among the locomotive units along a single train line wire to vary the output power of each unit among full power, half power and idle speed settings while maintaining the consist at the desired set speed. The hardware is arranged to direct the control and acknowledgement signals to the proper locomotive units while transmitting in both directions along the train line wire. The software for the microprocessors takes into account the acceleration and deceleration of the consist in adjusting the power output of the locomotive units.
117 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A control device for controlling a multiple unit locomotive system having a plurality of individual locomotive units each having high and low throttle positions and a plurality of discrete throttle positions between the high and low positions for normal operation of the locomotive system, said control device comprising:
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means for setting a predetermined set speed of the locomotive system; sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the locomotive system; and control means operable in response to the presence of a differential between the actual and set speeds to automatically and sequentially vary the throttle positions of the individual locomotive units between the high and low throttle settings thereof in a manner to effect substantial conformity of the actual speed with the set speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A control device for controlling the operation of a multiple unit locomotive system having a lead unit and a plurality of trail units each capable of providing output power to assist in propelling the locomotive system, said control device comprising:
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means for setting a selected set speed of the locomotive system; sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the locomotive system; electronic control means associated with the lead unit for transmitting a control signal to the trail units when a speed differential is present between the set speed and the actual speed of the locomotive system; receiver means associated with each trail unit for receiving the control signal; and electronic means associated with the receiver means of each trail unit for incrementally adjusting the output power of the trail unit under the influence of the control signal in a manner to effect a combined output power of the locomotive units sufficient to substantially conform the actual speed of the locomotive system with the set speed thereof. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A control device for controlling a multiple unit locomotive system having a lead locomotive unit and a plurality of trail units each capable of providing output power to assist in propelling the locomotive system, said control device comprising:
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means for setting a selected set speed of the locomotive system; means for sensing the actual speed of the locomotive system; electronic control means for transmitting control signals serially from the lead unit to the trail units when a speed differential is present between the set speed and the actual speed of the locomotive system; means associated with each trail unit for receiving the control signals and selectively placing the trail units in a fuel save mode of operation wherein the output power of the individual trail units is varied serially in incremental steps under the influence of said control signals to effect substantial conformity of the actual speed of the locomotive system with the set speed thereof; and means for applying an acknowledgement signal from each trail unit to the lead unit when the trail unit is placed in the fuel save mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A control device for controlling a multiple unit locomotive system having a lead unit, a plurality of trail units each capable of providing output power to assist in propelling the system, and at least one train line wire interconnecting the locomotive units in the system, said device comprising:
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means for setting a selected set speed at which the locomotive system is to travel; means for sensing the actual speed at which the locomotive system is travelling; electronic control means for transmitting sets of control signals periodically in both directions on the train line wire from the lead unit to the trail units when a speed differential is present between the actual speed of the locomotive system and the set speed thereof; receiver means associated with each trail unit for receiving the control signals in either direction on said train line wire; means for incrementally varying the output power of each trail unit individually under the influence of the control signals to effect substantial conformity of the actual speed of the locomotive with the set speed thereof; and means for applying an acknowledgement signal in both directions along the train line wire from each trail unit to the lead unit when the output power of the trail unit is varied in response to receipt of the control signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Apparatus for controlling a multiple unit locomotive system having a lead locomotive unit and a plurality of trail locomotive units each having high and low throttle positions and a plurality of discrete throttle positions between the high and low positions for normal operation of the locomotive system, said apparatus comprising:
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means for setting a predetermined set speed at which it is desired for the locomotive system to travel; sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the locomotive system; control means operable in a fuel save mode of operation to maintain each trail unit at either the high or low throttle position; said control means responding to an actual speed greater than the set speed by successively dropping trail units to the low throttle position until the actual speed substantially coincides with the set speed; and said control means responding to an actual speed less than the set speed by successively raising trail units to the high throttle position until the actual speed substantially coincides with the set speed; whereby the set speed is maintained with the trail units in either the high or low throttle position for fuel efficient operation of the locomotive system.
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Specification