Apparatus and method for controlled application of railway friction modifying agent
First Claim
1. A computer readable media containing program instructions for controlling application of one or more of a plurality of types of friction modifying agents to an area of contact between a wheel of a railway train and a railway rail over which the train is traversing to selectively modify a coefficient of friction at the area of contact, the computer readable media comprising:
- a computer program code for recognizing a parameter related to operation of the railway train;
a computer program code for selecting at least one type of friction modifying agent from among the plurality of types of friction modifying agents as a function of the sensed parameter;
a computer program code for controlling operation of an applicator to apply the selected type of friction modifying agent to the area of contact as a function of the parameter; and
a computer code for recognizing a location of the train;
wherein the computer program code for controlling operation of the applicator is responsive to the parameter and to the location of the train for controlling the application of the selected type of friction modifying agent; and
wherein the computer program code for controlling operation of the applicator is responsive to the location of the train for preventing the application of one or more predetermined types of friction modifying agents along a predetermined section of the rail.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. A sensor is used for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor for selecting one or more of a plurality of friction modifying agents and controls the application of the agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. A second application of the agent may be predicated upon the effectiveness of a first application of the agent. The selection of the appropriate agent may include a consideration of a current location of the railway vehicle.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer readable media containing program instructions for controlling application of one or more of a plurality of types of friction modifying agents to an area of contact between a wheel of a railway train and a railway rail over which the train is traversing to selectively modify a coefficient of friction at the area of contact, the computer readable media comprising:
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a computer program code for recognizing a parameter related to operation of the railway train; a computer program code for selecting at least one type of friction modifying agent from among the plurality of types of friction modifying agents as a function of the sensed parameter; a computer program code for controlling operation of an applicator to apply the selected type of friction modifying agent to the area of contact as a function of the parameter; and a computer code for recognizing a location of the train; wherein the computer program code for controlling operation of the applicator is responsive to the parameter and to the location of the train for controlling the application of the selected type of friction modifying agent; and wherein the computer program code for controlling operation of the applicator is responsive to the location of the train for preventing the application of one or more predetermined types of friction modifying agents along a predetermined section of the rail. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a wheel of a railway train and a railway rail over which the train is traversing to selectively modify a coefficient of friction at the area of contact, the method comprising:
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sensing at least one parameter related to operation of the railway train; sensing a current location of the train; selecting the friction modifying agent from among a plurality of types of friction modifying agents as a function of the sensed parameter and the current location; and applying the selected friction modifying agent to the area of contact as a function of the at least one parameter and the current location; and requiring the application of a friction modifying agent along a predetermined section of the rail. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for controlling application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a wheel of a railway train and a railway rail over which the train is traversing to selectively modify a coefficient of friction at the area of contact, the method comprising:
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sensing at least one parameter related to operation of the railway train; sensing a current location of the train; selecting the friction modifying agent from among a plurality of types of friction modifying agents as a function of the sensed parameter and the current location; and applying the selected friction modifying agent to the area of contact as a function of the at least one parameter and the current location; and preventing the application of a friction reducing agent proximate a road crossing location along the rail.
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13. A method for controlling application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a wheel of a railway train and a railway rail over which the train is traversing to selectively modify a coefficient of friction at the area of contact, the method comprising:
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sensing at least one parameter related to operation of the railway train; selecting the friction modifying agent from among a plurality of types of friction modifying agents as a function of the sensed parameter; controlling a first application of the friction modifying agent to the area of contact as a function of the at least one parameter; determining an effectiveness of the first application; controlling a second application of the friction modifying agent as a function of the at least one parameter and the determined effectiveness of the first application; and preventing a second application of a friction enhancing agent unless a first application of the friction enhancing agent is determined to have resulted in an increase in tractive effort of a locomotive of the train of at least a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a wheel of a railway train and a railway rail over which the train is traversing to selectively modify a coefficient of friction at the area of contact, the method comprising:
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sensing at least one parameter related to operation of the railway train; selecting the friction modifying agent from among a plurality of types of friction modifying agents as a function of the sensed parameter; controlling a first application of the friction modifying agent to the area of contact as a function of the at least one parameter; determining an effectiveness of the first application; controlling a second application of the friction modifying agent as a function of the at least one parameter and the determined effectiveness of the first application; and preventing the second application of the friction modifying agent unless a first application of the friction modifying agent is determined to have resulted in an increase in an acceleration or a speed of the train by at least a respective predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification