System, method, and computer software code for instructing an operator to control a powered system having an autonomous controller

• US 8,398,405 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith Kuttannair
• Primary Examiner(s): Musselman, Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US12/128,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20090186325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 434 29- 71, 434/219, 701 19- 22, 701/400, 700/286, 246/167.R, 246/182.R, 246/182.B, 246/182.C, 246/186, 246/187.C, 105/1.4, 105/26.5, 105/27
• US Class Current: 434/66
• 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: G09B 19/16 Control of vehicles or other craft simulators G09B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/06 for teaching control of ships, boats, or other waterborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 30/00 Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance

Abstract

A method for training an operator to control a powered system is disclosed including operating the powered system with an autonomous controller, and informing an operator of a change in operation of the powered system as the change in operation occurs. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for training the operator to control the powered system.

Claims

1. A method for training an operator of a powered system comprising:

automatically operating a powered system capable of self-propulsion with an autonomous controller;

receiving at least one input from a human operator to simulate manual operation of the powered system by the human operator as the autonomous controller automatically operates the powered system; and

comparing the at least one input to at least one action automatically made by the autonomous controller as the autonomous controller automatically operates the powered system, and automatically rating the human operator'"'"'s performance based on the comparison.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein automatically controlling the powered system includes implementing one or more designated speeds, throttle settings, or brake settings of a designated mission that result in the powered system reducing at least one of fuel consumed or emissions generated relative to traveling along the route according to one or more other missions, and receiving the at least one input includes receiving one or more control changes made by the human operator to simulate control of the powered system according to the designated mission.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring one or more delays between when at least one action in controlling the powered system is automatically made by the autonomous controller and when the at least one input from the human operator is provided by the human operator.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein automatically operating the powered system includes controlling the powered system to move along a route and receiving the at least one input occurs while the powered system is moving along the route.

5. A method for training an operator of a powered system comprising:

communicating a mission for a powered system capable of self-propulsion to a human operator, the mission comprising one or more designated operational conditions of the powered system for a trip of the powered system along a route;

monitoring simulated control of the powered system by the human operator according to the mission using a manual control device of the powered system during movement of the powered system along the route while actual movement of the powered system is autonomously controlled; and

comparing simulated actions taken by the human operator during the simulated control to actual actions taken by an autonomous controller of the powered system to implement the movement of the powered system according to the mission, and automatically rating the human operator'"'"'s performance based on the comparison.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising recording simulated actions taken by the human operator during the simulated control of the powered system.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising providing an input device to allow the human operator to modify information about the powered system when simulating the control of the powered system.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising providing the powered system in a temporary stationary condition comprising temporarily halting the movement of the powered system at least one of prior to starting the mission, during the mission, or after a mission.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the mission includes one or more designated speeds, throttle settings, or brake settings of the powered system to cause the powered system to reduce at least one of fuel consumed or emissions generated as the powered system travels along the route relative to traveling according one or more other designated speeds, throttle settings, or brake settings.

10. A method for training an operator of a powered system comprising:

autonomously operating a rail vehicle having at least one powered unit capable of self -propulsion with an autonomous controller during a mission, the mission including the rail vehicle moving along a route during a trip;

providing a designated action including at least one of a throttle control change or a brake control change for a human operator to take in order to simulate operating the rail vehicle while the autonomous controller actually operates the rail vehicle to cause the rail vehicle to move along the route according to the mission;

determining at least one input from an input device, the at least one input representing an action taken by the human operator to simulate operating the rail vehicle as the autonomous controller actually operates the rail vehicle; and

comparing the at least one input of the human operator to at least one action made by the autonomous controller as the autonomous controller actually operates the rail vehicle, and automatically rating the human operator'"'"'s performance based on the comparison.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the mission includes one or more designated speeds, throttle settings, or brake settings of the rail vehicle that cause the rail vehicle to reduce at least one of fuel consumed or emissions generated during the trip relative to traveling according to one or more other missions.

12. A method for training an operator of a powered system comprising:

automatically operating a powered system with an autonomous controller by implementing one or more designated speeds, throttle settings, or brake settings of a designated mission that result in the powered system reducing at least one of fuel consumed or emissions generated relative to traveling along the route according to one or more other missions; and

receiving at least one input from a human operator to simulate manual operation of the powered system by the human operator as the autonomous controller automatically operates the powered system, wherein the at least one input includes one or more control changes made by the human operator to simulate control of the powered system according to the designated mission, comparing the at least one input to at least one action automatically made by the autonomous controller as the autonomous controller automatically operates the powered system, and automatically rating the human operator'"'"'s performance based on the comparison.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising monitoring one or more delays between when at least one action in controlling the powered system is automatically made by the autonomous controller and when the at least one input from the human operator is provided by the human operator.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein automatically operating the powered system includes controlling the powered system to move along a route and receiving the at least one input occurs while the powered system is moving along the route.