Method and system for predicting failures in a power resistive grid of a vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method for determining degradation of resistive grid performance in a vehicle, the method comprising:
- sensing one or more signals indicative of estimated grid resistance values, the estimated grid resistance values constituting a first set of grid resistance values influenced at least in part by a first set of operational and environmental conditions of the resistive grid;
monitoring at least one variable associated with the resistive grid at the time of the sensing of the estimated grid resistance values, said at least one variable being indicative of the first set of operational and environmental conditions of the resistive grid;
providing a database of nominal grid resistance values based on data collected from a plurality of resistive grids corresponding to the resistive grid whose performance is being determined, the nominal grid resistance values constituting a second set of grid resistance values relative to a second set of operational and environmental conditions for the resistive grids;
accessing the database in light of the first set of operational and environmental conditions;
adjusting the respective values of one of the first and second sets of grid resistance values relative to the other to account for differences between the first and second sets of operational and environmental conditions; and
comparing the respective set of adjusted values against said other set of grid resistance values to determine the relative performance of the resistive grid to the plurality of resistive grid for detection of incipient failures of the resistive grid.
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Abstract
A method and system for predicting failures in a power resistive grid in a vehicle, e.g., a locomotive, are provided. The method allows for monitoring one or more signals indicative of an estimated grid resistance value. The method farther allows for adjusting the value of the estimated grid resistance relative to a nominal grid resistance value. A comparing step allows for comparing the adjusted value of the grid resistance against the nominal grid resistance value to determine the performance of the respective resistive grid.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for determining degradation of resistive grid performance in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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sensing one or more signals indicative of estimated grid resistance values, the estimated grid resistance values constituting a first set of grid resistance values influenced at least in part by a first set of operational and environmental conditions of the resistive grid;
monitoring at least one variable associated with the resistive grid at the time of the sensing of the estimated grid resistance values, said at least one variable being indicative of the first set of operational and environmental conditions of the resistive grid;
providing a database of nominal grid resistance values based on data collected from a plurality of resistive grids corresponding to the resistive grid whose performance is being determined, the nominal grid resistance values constituting a second set of grid resistance values relative to a second set of operational and environmental conditions for the resistive grids;
accessing the database in light of the first set of operational and environmental conditions;
adjusting the respective values of one of the first and second sets of grid resistance values relative to the other to account for differences between the first and second sets of operational and environmental conditions; and
comparing the respective set of adjusted values against said other set of grid resistance values to determine the relative performance of the resistive grid to the plurality of resistive grid for detection of incipient failures of the resistive grid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for determining degradation of resistive grid performance in a vehicle, the system comprising:
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at least one sensor configured to sense one or more signals indicative of estimated grid resistance values, the estimated grid resistance values constituting a first set of grid resistance values influenced at least in part by a first set of operational and environmental conditions of the resistive grid;
a module for monitoring at least one variable associated with the resistive grid at the time of the sensing of the estimated grid resistance values, said at least one variable being indicative of the first set of operational and environmental conditions of the resistive grid;
a database of nominal grid resistance values based on data collected from a plurality of resistive grids corresponding to the resistive grid whose performance is being determined, the nominal grid resistance values constituting a second set of grid resistance values relative to a second set of operational and environmental conditions for the resistive grids;
a processor configured to access the database in light of the first set of operational and environmental conditions, the processor including;
an adjuster module configured to adjust the respective values of one of the first and second sets of grid resistance values relative to the other to account for differences between the first and second sets of operational and environmental conditions; and
a comparator configured to compare the respective set of adjusted values against said other set of grid resistance values to determine the relative performance of the resistive grid to the plurality of resistive grids for detection of incipient failures of the resistive grid. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification