Methods and systems for improved throttle control and coupling control for locomotive and associated train

• US 8,280,569 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith K., Worden, Bret D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LI, CE LI
• Application Number:
  US11/533,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077285A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,203 Days
• Field of Search: 701/19, 701/20, 701/2, 105/61, 105/26.05, 246/2, 246/38, 246/182.AA, 246/182.AB, 246/182.R, 246/183, 246/184, 246/186, 246/187.A, 246/187.B, 246/187.C, 246/187.R, 246/1.C, 246 3- 6, 246/2.S, 246/167.R, 246/176, 246/182.A, 246/182.B, 246/182.C
• US Class Current: 701/20
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0058 On-board optimisation of vehicle or vehicle train operation
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0062 On-board target speed calculation or supervision
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/127 for remote control of locomotives remote control of locomotives within a train consist B61C17/12

Abstract

A multi-mode control system for a locomotive includes a throttle control device having notch settings corresponding to, for a first, long haul mode, control signals for providing respective tractive effort or power from the locomotive, a master controller in communication with the throttle control device and adapted to receive said control signals from the throttle control device and to transmit respective command signals to power-train components of the locomotive to achieve the respective tractive effort or power, the master controller also adapted for sending alternative command signals when a user-operable mode selector is set to one of one or more alternative modes. The user-operable mode selector includes one or more user interface devices in communication with the master controller for selecting one alternative mode of the one or more alternative modes.

Claims

1. A control system for a multi-use rail vehicle comprising:

a vehicle throttle control device built into an operator cab of the multi-use rail vehicle, the throttle control device having a plurality of distinct control settings;

a user-operable mode selector built into the operator cab, the mode selector operable for selecting between first and second different operational modes of the multi-use rail vehicle; and

an engine system for moving the multi-use rail vehicle, the engine system receiving as control inputs a first signal of tile vehicle throttle control device and a second signal of the user-operable mode selector, the first signal corresponding to a current control setting of the throttle control device, and the second signal indicating a selected one of the first and second operational modes;

the first operational mode being a motoring mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device correspond to a respective one of a plurality of engine system outputs in a range between a minimum and maximum engine speed, each of the control settings corresponding to a different tractive effort or power of the multi-use rail vehicle; and

the second operational mode being a yard mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device designate one of a plurality of speed control set points wherein the speed of the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to not exceed the speed control set point corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device, each of the control settings respectively limiting a tractive effort of the multi-use rail vehicle to a predetermined level up to a predetermined speed, and including braking being applied to regulate the speed of the vehicle at the selected speed control set point; and

a third operational mode of the multi-use rail vehicle, the third operational mode being a second yard mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device designate one of a plurality of specified distances wherein the multi-rise rail vehicle is controlled to move the specified distance corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device.

2. The control system for a multi-use rail vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth operational mode of the multi-use rail vehicle, the fourth operational mode being a hybrid yard mode wherein the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to move a specified distance corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device and wherein the speed of the multi-use rail vehicle is also controlled to not exceed the speed of a selected speed control set point.

3. The control system for a mufti-use rail vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a couple detection stop mode wherein the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to stop upon detection of a coupling of another rail vehicle to the multi-use rail vehicle and/or associated train.

4. The control system for ulti-use rail vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising the control system configured to decrease the tractive effort of the multi-use rail vehicle as the vehicle approaches and/or reaches the speed of the selected speed control set point.

5. A control system for a multi-use rail vehicle comprising:

a vehicle throttle control device built into an operator cab of the multi-use rail vehicle, the throttle control device having a plurality of distinct control settings;

a user-operable triode selector built into the operator cab, the mode selector operable for selecting between at least first and second different operational modes of the multi-use rail vehicle; and

an engine system for moving the multi-use rail vehicle, the engine system receiving as control inputs a first signal of the vehicle throttle control device and a second signal of the user-operable mode selector, the first signal corresponding to a current control setting of the throttle control device, and the second signal indicating a selected one of the first and second operational modes;

the first operational mode being a motoring mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device correspond to a respective one of a plurality of engine system outputs in a range between a minimum and maximum engine speed, each of the control settings corresponding to a different tractive effort or power of the multi-use rail vehicle; and

the second operational mode being a yard mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device designate one of a plurality of specified distances wherein the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to move the specified distance corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device, the control system selectively applying tractive effort and braking to move the multi-use vehicle the specified distance.

6. The control system for a multi-use rail vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising a third operational mode of the multi-use rail vehicle, the third operational mode being a second yard mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device designate one of a plurality of speed control set points wherein the speed of the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to not exceed the speed control set point corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device.

7. The control system for a multi-use rail vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a fourth operational mode of the multi-use rail vehicle, the fourth operational mode being a hybrid yard mode wherein the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to move a specified distance corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device and wherein the speed of the multi-use rail vehicle is also controlled to not exceed the speed of a selected speed control set point.

8. The control system for a multi-use rail vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising a couple detection stop mode wherein the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to stop upon detection of a coupling of another rail vehicle to the multi-use rail vehicle and/or associated train.

9. The control system for a multi-use rail vehicle according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the designated distances is defined in car lengths.