Method, system, and computer software code for wireless remote fault handling on a remote distributed power powered system
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- detecting an operational fault on an unmanned locomotive of a train in a distributed power (DP) configuration having the unmanned locomotive and a lead locomotive coupled with each other by one or more railcars disposed between the lead locomotive and the unmanned locomotive;
communicating information about the operational fault to the lead locomotive through a wireless communication system between the lead locomotive and the unmanned locomotive;
determining if the operational fault is of a type that requires the train to be stopped or if the operational fault is of a type that may be corrected remotely; and
autonomously communicating a reset message to the unmanned locomotive to reset one or more components of the unmanned locomotive that are associated with the operational fault that is detected through the wireless communication system between the lead locomotive and the unmanned locomotive, wherein the reset message is communicated to the unmanned locomotive without operator intervention after the lead locomotive receives the information about the operational fault, wherein the reset message is communicated only if the operational fault is of the type that may be corrected remotely.
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Abstract
A method for remotely administering a fault detected on an unmanned powered system that is controlled through a lead powered system, the method including detecting an operational fault on an unmanned powered system, communicating information about the fault to the lead powered system, through a wireless communication protocol operable with a wireless communication system, and communicating a reset message to the unmanned powered system to reset the fault detected. A system and computer software code, stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, are also disclosed for remotely handling a fault detected on an unmanned powered system that is controlled through a lead powered system.
33 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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detecting an operational fault on an unmanned locomotive of a train in a distributed power (DP) configuration having the unmanned locomotive and a lead locomotive coupled with each other by one or more railcars disposed between the lead locomotive and the unmanned locomotive; communicating information about the operational fault to the lead locomotive through a wireless communication system between the lead locomotive and the unmanned locomotive; determining if the operational fault is of a type that requires the train to be stopped or if the operational fault is of a type that may be corrected remotely; and autonomously communicating a reset message to the unmanned locomotive to reset one or more components of the unmanned locomotive that are associated with the operational fault that is detected through the wireless communication system between the lead locomotive and the unmanned locomotive, wherein the reset message is communicated to the unmanned locomotive without operator intervention after the lead locomotive receives the information about the operational fault, wherein the reset message is communicated only if the operational fault is of the type that may be corrected remotely.
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2. A system comprising:
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a first processor configured to be disposed on a lead locomotive of a train in a distributed power (DP) configuration having the lead locomotive and a remote locomotive coupled together and separated from each other by at least one railcar of the train; and a second processor configured to be disposed on the remote locomotive and configured to detect an operational fault of one or more components of the remote locomotive, the second processor also configured to wirelessly communicate a fault message representative of the operational fault that is detected to the lead locomotive;
wherein the first processor is configured to determine if the operational fault is of a type that requires the train to be stopped or if the operational fault is of a type that may be corrected remotely, wherein the first processor on the lead locomotive is configured to wirelessly communicate a fault reset message upon receipt of the fault message that is wirelessly received from the second processor, the fault reset message directing the one or more components of the remote locomotive that are associated with the operational fault to reset in response to the operational fault, wherein, when the fault message is wirelessly received from the remote locomotive, the first processor is configured to autonomously develop the fault reset message without operator intervention, and wherein the fault reset message is communicated, without operator intervention, only if the operational fault is of the type that may be corrected remotely.
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3. A computer software code stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, the computer software code comprising one or more software modules configured to direct the processor to:
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determine detection of an operational fault of one or more components on an unmanned locomotive in a train in a distributed power (DP) configuration, the DP configuration of the train including the unmanned locomotive coupled with a lead locomotive by one or more railcars disposed between the lead locomotive and the unmanned locomotive; determine if the operational fault is of a type that requires the train to be stopped or if the operational fault is of a type that may be corrected remotely; wirelessly communicate a fault message indicative of the operational fault to the lead locomotive; and receive a reset message that is wirelessly communicated to the unmanned locomotive from the lead locomotive in response to the fault message, the reset message directing the one or more components of the unmanned locomotive to reset, wherein the reset message is autonomously communicated to the unmanned locomotive without operator intervention after the lead locomotive receives the fault message indicative of the operational fault, wherein the reset message is communicated only if the operational fault is of the type that may be corrected remotely.
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4. A system comprising:
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a wireless communication system configured to link a first locomotive with an unmanned, second locomotive in a train that is in a distributed power (DP) configuration, the DP configuration including the first locomotive and the second locomotive coupled with each other by at least a railcar of the train and the second locomotive being controlled by the first locomotive; and a fault processor configured to be disposed on the second locomotive and to communicate a fault message to the first locomotive, wherein the fault message relates to a detected operational fault of the second locomotive, and said fault processor being further configured to initiate corrective action regarding the detected operational fault subsequent to receiving a fault reset message from the first locomotive, wherein the fault reset message is autonomously communicated to the second locomotive without operator intervention after the first locomotive receives the fault message, wherein the fault reset message is communicated to the fault processor only if the operational fault is of a type that may be corrected remotely.
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5. A system comprising:
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a distributed power communication system configured to wirelessly link a first locomotive in the train with an unmanned second locomotive in the train; and a fault processor configured to be disposed on the second locomotive, said fault processor also configured to wirelessly communicate a fault message to the first locomotive, wherein the fault message relates to a detected operational fault of the second locomotive, and said fault processor is further configured to initiate corrective action regarding the detected operational fault subsequent to wirelessly receiving a fault reset message from the first locomotive, wherein the fault reset message is autonomously communicated to the second locomotive without operator intervention after the first locomotive receives the fault message, wherein the fault reset message is communicated to the fault processor only if the operational fault is of a type that may be corrected remotely; wherein the fault message and the fault reset message are configured according to a communication protocol for wireless transmission over the distributed power communication system in a first message format that is different than a second message format of distributed power messages transmitted over the distributed power communication system for distributed power control of the first and second locomotives.
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Specification