Method of determining train and track characteristics using navigational data

• US 6,480,766 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Original Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Inventors: Hawthorne, Michael J., Nickles, Stephen K., Haley, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/847,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 701/19, 701/20, 701/213, 246/122.R, 246/3, 246/123, 246/162, 246/158, 246/176, 246/201, 246/167.D, 246/217, 246/220, 342/357.07, 342/357.01, 342/357.03, 342/357.08, 342/357.13
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0072 On-board train data handling
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0081 On-board diagnosis or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0092 Memory means reproducing during the running of the vehicle or vehicle train, e.g. smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0094 Recorders on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 23/047 Track or rail movements
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 35/00 Applications of measuring apparatus or devices for track-building purposes apparatus on locomotives or cars to indicate or record bad track sections B61K9/00; measuring angles, linear dimensions, or irregularities in general G01B, G01C

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.

Claims

1. A method of determining location of a train having rail vehicles on a track, the method comprising:

determining a first position of a portion of the train prior to or at a switch in the track;

determining a second position of a portion of the train after the switch in the track;

comparing the determined first and second positions to a data base on the train; and

determining which branch track the train is on from a comparison of the positions to the data base.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second positions are determined simultaneously at two spaced portions of the train.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second positions are determined sequentially at the same portion of the train.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining the location of the train on the track from the comparison includes determining an error between the first determined position and the data base and assume the same error for the second determined position.