Remote control locomotive simulator

• US 7,143,017 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Original Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Inventors: Flynn, Danny D., Foster, C. Mackay, Hawthorne, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Paul
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUILL, RUSSELL L
• Application Number:
  US10/178,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20030236654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,617 Days
• Field of Search: 701/19, 701/20, 703/8, 703/3, 703/6, 434/29
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/12 Control gear; Arrangements for controlling locomotives from remote points in the train or when operating in multiple units control from points outside the train B61L3/00; fluid-actuated telemotors, servomotors F15B; control devices in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/60 Testing or simulation
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/127 for remote control of locomotives remote control of locomotives within a train consist B61C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles

Abstract

A remote control locomotive simulator including a display and a first input device similar to a remote control locomotive controller to be operated by the operator to provide train signals. A computer drives the display to move a train relative to a track in response to the train signals. A remote control locomotive controller may be an actual remote control locomotive system or may be a virtual remote control locomotive controller where the input device is one or more of a keyboard, a mouse or a touch screen of the computer. Data associated with a simulator session of this device is recorded and made available for real-time or post-processing analysis including visual review of train management using the included computer generated graphics system.

Claims

1. A simulator that simulates a remote control locomotive system which system includes a portable remote control locomotive controller, the simulator comprising:

a display displaying a remote control locomotive controller with controls and a train on a track from an operator'"'"'s perspective outside a locomotive cab;

a first input device having one or more of a keyboard, a mouse and a touch screen of a computer operated by an operator to control corresponding controls of the portable remote control locomotive controller on the display and to provide train signals; and

the computer driving the display to change the display of the train on the track from the operator'"'"'s perspective outside a locomotive cab in response to the train signals.

2. The simulator according to claim 1, including an audio device driven by the computer.

3. The simulator according to claim 2, wherein the computer drives the audio device with one or more of machine sounds, environmental sounds and human sounds.

4. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the simulator includes an atmospheric control system for simulating various atmospheric conditions.

5. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the computer provides modified drive signals for simulating various atmospheric conditions on the display.

6. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the computer includes alert conditions and determines when an alert condition results from the train signals.

7. The simulator according to claim 6, wherein the computer annunciates an alert for a determined alert condition.

8. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the display, first input device and the computer are an integral portable unit.

9. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the first input device and the computer are an integrated floor console.

10. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the computer includes a data base of one or more of various locomotives, locations and atmospheric conditions for driving the display.

11. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the computer includes a computer generated images system for driving the display.

12. A simulator that simulates a remote control locomotive system which includes a portable remote control locomotive controller, the simulator comprising:

a display;

a first input device having controls corresponding to controls of the portable remote control locomotive controller and operated by an operator to provide train signals;

a second input device sensing one or more of the conditions of position and orientation of the operator relative to the display and providing view signals in response to the sensed condition; and

a computer driving the display to change the display of a train on a track in response to the train signals and to change perspective of the train and the track in the display in response to the view signals.

13. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the first input device is the remote control locomotive controller of a remote control locomotive system.

14. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the computer drives the display to show the remote control locomotive controller, and the first input device is one or more of a keyboard, a mouse and a touch screen of the computer.

15. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the input devices are coupled to the computer by one of a cable, radio waves, light waves or sound waves.

16. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the second input device is mounted on the first input device.

17. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the computer stores the train signals correlated with the display drives for later analysis.

18. The simulator according to claim 17, wherein the computer includes a computer generated images system for driving the display and which is correlated and stored with the train signals.

19. The simulator according to claim 18, wherein the computer includes a playback system to playback and display the stored train signals and computer generated images.

20. The simulator according to claim 19, wherein the playback system allows changing of the displayed perspective during playback.

21. The simulator according to claim 17, wherein the display includes humans and/or human sounds, which are stored and correlated with the train signals.

22. The simulator according to claim 21, including a sound recorder, and the computer stores operator verbal responses correlated with the train signals.

23. The simulator according to claim 17, wherein the computer includes an analysis system for analyzing the stored train signals and display drives.

24. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the second input device is mounted on the operator.

25. A simulator that simulates a remote control locomotive system which includes a portable remote control locomotive controller, the simulator comprising:

a display;

a first input device having controls corresponding to controls of the portable remote control locomotive controller and operated by an operator to provide train signals;

a second input device, including a platform with sensors on which the operator stands, sensing one or more of the conditions of position and orientation of the operator and providing view signals in response to the sensed condition; and

a computer driving the display to change the display of a train on a track in response to the train signals and to change perspective of the train and track in the display in response to the view signals.

26. The simulator according to claim 25, wherein the platform includes a treadmill with sensors.

27. The simulator according to claim 25, wherein the platform is a motion platform driven by the computer.