Method of determining train and track characteristics using navigational data
First Claim
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1. A method of determining characteristics of a train having rail vehicles traveling along a track, the method comprising:
- providing a position determining device at a head end and a rear end of the train;
determining the positions of the locations using the position determining devices;
determining the difference between the locations from the positions determined by the position determining devices; and
determining the length of the train from the determined difference between the two locations.
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Abstract
A method using the position data being determined on the train to determine characteristics of the train and/or the track. This is achieved by providing position determining devices at two or more spaced locations along the train. The position of the two locations are determined by the position determining devices. A processor determines the difference between the two locations from the positions determined by the position determining devices and determines the characteristics of the train from the determined difference between the two locations.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of determining characteristics of a train having rail vehicles traveling along a track, the method comprising:
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providing a position determining device at a head end and a rear end of the train;
determining the positions of the locations using the position determining devices;
determining the difference between the locations from the positions determined by the position determining devices; and
determining the length of the train from the determined difference between the two locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system on a train having rail vehicles for determining characteristics of the train as it traveling along a track, the system comprising:
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position determining device at a head end and a rear end of the train; and
a processor on the train receiving position data from each of the position determining device, determining the difference between the locations from the data and determining the length of the train from the determined difference between the locations. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of determining characteristics of a train having rail vehicles traveling along a track, the method comprising:
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providing a position determining device at at least two locations along the train;
determining the positions of the locations using the position determining devices;
determining the difference between the locations from the positions determined by the position determining devices; and
repeating the position and distance determining steps a plurality of times;
determining the changes of the differences; and
determining the characteristic of the train from the difference changes of distance between the two locations. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of determining location of a train having rail vehicles on a track, the method comprising:
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providing a position determining device at two locations along the train and a track profile data base on the train;
simultaneously determining the positions of the two locations using the position determining devices;
comparing the positions determined by the position determining devices to the data base; and
determining the location of the train on the track from the comparison.
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18. A method of determining discrepancies in a train having rail vehicles traveling along a track comprising:
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storing a consist list on the train of the vehicles in the train;
storing a report on the train from a hot box detector system positioned along the track, the report including the number of axles of the train monitored by the detector system;
comparing the list to the report for the number of cars or axles for discrepancies; and
reporting any discrepancies.
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19. A method of determining grade of a track as train having rail vehicles travels along the track, the method comprising:
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providing a position determining device at at least two locations along the train;
determining the positions and the elevation of the locations using the position determining devices;
determining the differences of positions and elevations determined by the position determining devices; and
determining the grade of the track occupied by the train from determined differences of positions and elevations.
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20. A system on a train having rail vehicles for determining grade of track as the train travels along the track, the system comprising:
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position determining device at at least two locations along the train; and
a processor on the train receiving position an elevation data from each of the position determining device, determining the difference between the locations from the data, and determining the grade of the track occupied by the train from determined differences of positions and elevations.
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21. A method of deriving a track profile as a train having rail vehicles travels along the track, the method comprising:
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providing a position determining device at at least two locations along the train;
determining the positions of the locations including longitude, latitude and elevation data as a function of time using the position determining devices;
determining the difference between the locations'"'"' longitude, latitude and elevation data as a function of time from the positions determined by the position determining devices; and
deriving a track profile using the differences of longitude, latitude and elevation data as a function of time. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system on a train having rail vehicles for determining characteristics of the train as it traveling along a track, the system comprising:
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position determining device at at least two locations along the train; and
a processor on the train receiving position data from each of the position determining device, determining the difference between the locations from the data, determining changes of differences between the two locations, and determining a characteristic of the train from the determined changes of differences between the two locations. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A system on a train having rail vehicles for determining characteristics of the train as it traveling along a track, the system comprising:
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position determining device at at least two locations along the train; and
a processor on the train receiving position data including longitude, latitude and elevation data as a function of time from each of the position determining device, determining the difference between the locations'"'"' longitude, latitude and elevation data as a function of time, and deriving a track profile using the differences of longitude, latitude and elevation data as a function of time. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification