Locomotive remote control system

• US 6,314,345 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2000
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tranz Rail Limited
• Original Assignee: Tranz Rail Limited
• Inventors: Coombes, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/463,463
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 701/19, 701/20, 701/70, 303/1, 303/2, 303/3, 303/15, 303/13, 303/20, 104/307, 246/1.R, 246/187.A, 246/4, 340/901
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/127 for remote control of locomotives remote control of locomotives within a train consist B61C17/12

Abstract

A connection unit is adapted to be connected to train line and brake line connectors of a locomotive as part of a remote control system for the locomotive. The connection unit includes a receiver for receiving remote control instructions, an interface for connection to the train line and brake line connectors, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is arranged to determine the locomotive'"'"'s configuration, interpret the received remote control instructions, modify said instructions dependent on the locomotive'"'"'s configuration, and operate the interface such that the locomotive is controlled according to the locomotive configuration and the remote control instructions.

Claims

1. A connection unit adapted to be connected to train line and brake line connectors of a locomotive as part of a remote control system for the locomotive, the connection unit comprising:

receiver means for receiving remote control instructions;

interface means for connecting the connection unit to the train line and brake line connectors; and

microprocessor means arranged to determine the locomotive'"'"'s configuration, interpret the received remote control instructions, modify said instructions dependent on the locomotive'"'"'s configuration, and send instructions to the interface means such that the locomotive is controlled according to the locomotive configuration and the remote control instructions.

2. A connection unit according to claim 1 wherein said receiver means comprises a radio receiver for receiving said remote control instructions by radio.

3. A connection unit according to claim 1 wherein said interface means comprises a pneumatic interface unit and a train line interface unit.

4. A connection unit according to claim 3 wherein the pneumatic interface unit comprises a plug configured to connect to a multiple number of train line sockets or a multiple number of plugs each for connection to a different type of train line socket.

5. A connection unit according to claim 3 wherein the pneumatic interface unit comprises a locomotive main reservoir air supply pressure switch, a locomotive break line pressure switch, a train brake pressure transducer, a locomotive brake pressure transducer, and optionally a pneumatic throttle pressure transducer.

6. A connection unit according to claim 1 wherein the microprocessor means contains a data base of instruction information for a multiple number of locomotive types.

7. A remote control system for a locomotive comprising a connection unit adapted to be connected to train line and brake line connectors of a locomotive according to claim 1 and a remote control means operable by a user to transmit remote control instructions to the connection unit.

8. A method of remotely controlling a locomotive comprising:

transmitting locomotive remote control instructions from a location remote from the locomotive;

receiving the locomotive remote control instructions at the locomotive;

identifying the locomotive configuration;

interpreting and modifying the received locomotive remote control instructions dependent on the locomotive configuration; and

operating the locomotive according to the modified locomotive remote control instructions.

9. A remote control system for a locomotive comprising a connection unit adapted to be connected to train line and brake line connectors of a locomotive and a remote control device operable by a user to transmit remote control instructions to the connection unit, the connection unit comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive remote control instructions;

an interface configured to connect the connection unit to the train line and brake line connectors; and

a microprocessor arranged to determine the locomotive'"'"'s configuration, interpret the received remote control instructions, modify said instructions dependent on the locomotive'"'"'s configuration, and send instructions to the interface such that the locomotive is controlled according to the locomotive configuration and the remote control instructions.