Methods and systems for throttle control and coupling control for vehicles
First Claim
1. A control system comprising:
- a controller configured to be communicatively coupled with a throttle control device having multiple throttle settings and disposed onboard a vehicle, the controller also configured to determine a selected throttle setting of the multiple throttle settings of the throttle control device, the controller further configured to operate in plural operating modes that include at least two of a power mode, a speed mode, or a distance mode,wherein, when the controller is operating in the power mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to a propulsion system of the vehicle that direct the propulsion system to generate an amount of at least one of tractive power or tractive effort that corresponds to the selected throttle setting,wherein, when the controller is operating in the speed mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle at a designated speed that corresponds to the selected throttle setting, andwherein, when the controller is operating in the distance mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle a designated distance that corresponds to at least one of the selected throttle setting or to another operator input, and to stop the vehicle at the designated distance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
53 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A control system comprising:
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a controller configured to be communicatively coupled with a throttle control device having multiple throttle settings and disposed onboard a vehicle, the controller also configured to determine a selected throttle setting of the multiple throttle settings of the throttle control device, the controller further configured to operate in plural operating modes that include at least two of a power mode, a speed mode, or a distance mode, wherein, when the controller is operating in the power mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to a propulsion system of the vehicle that direct the propulsion system to generate an amount of at least one of tractive power or tractive effort that corresponds to the selected throttle setting, wherein, when the controller is operating in the speed mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle at a designated speed that corresponds to the selected throttle setting, and wherein, when the controller is operating in the distance mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle a designated distance that corresponds to at least one of the selected throttle setting or to another operator input, and to stop the vehicle at the designated distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A control system comprising:
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a controller configured to be communicatively coupled with a throttle control device having multiple throttle settings and disposed onboard a vehicle, the controller also configured to determine a selected throttle setting of the multiple throttle settings of the throttle control device, the controller further configured to operate in a power mode and a speed mode, wherein, when the controller is operating in the power mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to a propulsion system of the vehicle that direct the propulsion system to generate an amount of at least one of tractive power or tractive effort that corresponds to the selected throttle setting, and wherein, when the controller is operating in the speed mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle at a designated speed that corresponds to the selected throttle setting. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A control system comprising:
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a controller configured to be communicatively coupled with a throttle control device having multiple throttle settings and disposed onboard a vehicle, the controller also configured to determine a selected throttle setting of the multiple throttle settings of the throttle control device, the controller further configured to operate in plural operating modes that include a power mode and a distance mode, wherein, when the controller is operating in the power mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to a propulsion system of the vehicle that direct the propulsion system to generate an amount of at least one of tractive power or tractive effort that corresponds to the selected throttle setting, and wherein, when the controller is operating in the distance mode, the controller is configured to transmit control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle a designated distance that corresponds to the selected throttle setting and stop the vehicle at the designated distance. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method comprising:
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communicatively coupling a controller with a throttle control device having multiple throttle settings and disposed onboard a vehicle; determining a selected throttle setting of the multiple throttle settings of the throttle control device; and controlling motive operations of the vehicle from the controller in a power mode and at least one of a speed mode or a distance mode, wherein, when operating in the power mode, transmitting control signals to a propulsion system of the vehicle that direct the propulsion system to generate an amount of at least one of tractive power or tractive effort that corresponds to the selected throttle setting, wherein, when operating in the speed mode, transmitting control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle at a designated speed that corresponds to the selected throttle setting, and wherein, when operating in the distance mode, transmitting control signals to the propulsion system that direct the propulsion system to move the vehicle a designated distance that corresponds to at least one of the selected throttle setting or another operator input, and to stop the vehicle at the designated distance. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification