Method of controlling emergency braking in fixed guideway transportation system using dynamic block control
First Claim
1. An apparatus for braking a fixed guideway vehicle, comprising:
- an emergency braking system that is configured to apply an emergency braking force that is capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop at least at a substantially predetermined rate and with a predetermined degree of safety; and
control circuitry on the vehicle for generating a withhold signal,wherein the control circuitry is configured to generate the withhold signal unless a predetermined safe command is not correctly received from an external source over a predetermined amount of time, wherein the external source is external to the vehicle in which the control circuitry is located, wherein the control circuitry includes;
logic that receives a signal from the external source and extracts a command therefrom, the logic further generating a periodic signal only if the extracted command matches the predetermined safe command, the periodic signal generated by the logic having one or both of a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty cycle; and
a device that generates the withhold signal only when the periodic signal generated by the logic has one or both of the predetermined frequency and the predetermined duty cycle for the predetermined amount of time, andwherein the emergency braking system is configured to apply the emergency braking force whenever the withhold signal is not generated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a fixed guideway transportation system that achieves a superior cost benefit ratio, is lower in net present cost and thus more easily justified for lower density corridors, and can provide passenger carrying capacities appropriate for higher density corridors serviced by mass rapid transit systems today. The invention provides an emergency braking control system and methodology that enables the implementation of related systems and methods that achieve safe headways at higher speeds than conventionally possible, while maintaining collision avoidance capabilities. In embodiments, vehicles are controlled from one or more stations with commands that are periodically sent from the station to the vehicle. For the control of emergency braking, this command contains a Safe to Proceed (STP) field that is intended and is required for the vehicle to withhold braking.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for braking a fixed guideway vehicle, comprising:
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an emergency braking system that is configured to apply an emergency braking force that is capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop at least at a substantially predetermined rate and with a predetermined degree of safety; and control circuitry on the vehicle for generating a withhold signal, wherein the control circuitry is configured to generate the withhold signal unless a predetermined safe command is not correctly received from an external source over a predetermined amount of time, wherein the external source is external to the vehicle in which the control circuitry is located, wherein the control circuitry includes; logic that receives a signal from the external source and extracts a command therefrom, the logic further generating a periodic signal only if the extracted command matches the predetermined safe command, the periodic signal generated by the logic having one or both of a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty cycle; and a device that generates the withhold signal only when the periodic signal generated by the logic has one or both of the predetermined frequency and the predetermined duty cycle for the predetermined amount of time, and wherein the emergency braking system is configured to apply the emergency braking force whenever the withhold signal is not generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling motion of a fixed guideway vehicle, comprising:
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preparing an emergency braking system to apply an emergency braking force that is capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop at least at a substantially predetermined rate and with a predetermined degree of safety; generating a withhold signal using control circuitry in the vehicle unless a predetermined safe command is not correctly received from an external source over a predetermined amount of time, wherein the external source is external to the vehicle in which the control circuitry is located, wherein the generating step includes; receiving the signal from the external source; extracting a command from the received signal; comparing the extracted command to the predetermined safe command; generating a periodic signal based on the results of the comparison, the generating including causing the periodic signal to have one or both of a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty cycle; and generating the withhold signal only when the periodic signal has one or both of the predetermined frequency and the predetermined duty cycle for the predetermined amount of time; and causing the emergency braking system to apply the emergency braking force whenever the withhold signal is not generated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification