Emergency override system

• US 9,296,397 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morris, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Do, Truc M
• Application Number:
  US13/778,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20140239127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701/19, 701/20, 701/22, 701/93, 701/117, 701/301, 701/408, 246/126, 246/5, 246/186, 246/20, 246/27, 246/4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Abstract

An emergency override system for a machine is disclosed. The emergency override system may have an input device configured to generate a stop signal. The emergency override system may also have a receiver configured to receive the stop signal. The emergency override system may further have a controller in communication with the receiver and connectable to a signal pin, which is configured to indicate a travel direction of the machine. The controller may be configured to stop a travel of the machine by applying a threshold voltage to the signal pin, when the receiver has received the stop signal.

Claims

1. An emergency override system for a machine, comprising:

an input device configured to generate a stop signal;

a receiver configured to receive the stop signal;

a controller in communication with the receiver and connectable to a first signal pin and a second signal pin;

the first signal pin configured to indicate a first travel direction of the machine;

the second signal pin configured to indicate a second travel direction of the machine; and

the controller being configured to stop a travel of the machine by applying a threshold voltage to the first signal pin and the second signal pin, when the receiver has received the stop signal.

2. The emergency override system of claim 1, wherein

the controller is connectable to an air brake system of the machine, and

the controller is configured to stop the travel of the machine by releasing air from the air brake system to the atmosphere, when the receiver has received the stop signal.

3. The emergency override system of claim 2, further including a control valve connectable to the air brake system of the machine, wherein the controller is configured to release the air from the air brake system by opening the control valve.

4. The emergency override system of claim 3, wherein the input device is a remote control device configured to transmit the stop signal to the receiver.

5. The emergency override system of claim 4, wherein the remote control device is configured to transmit the stop signal to the receiver, when a distance between the remote control device and the receiver exceeds a threshold distance.

6. The emergency override system of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to stop the travel of the machine when a distance between the remote control device and the receiver exceeds a threshold distance.

7. The emergency override system of claim 4, wherein the remote control device is further configured to periodically transmit a beacon signal to the receiver.

8. The emergency override system of claim 7, wherein:

the receiver is configured to receive the beacon signal; and

the controller is configured to;

determine a time interval between the beacon signal and a preceding beacon signal; and

stop the travel of the machine when the time interval exceeds a threshold time interval.

9. The emergency override system of claim 8, wherein the remote control device further includes:

a stop button configured to generate the stop signal when the stop button is activated; and

a beacon button configured to generate the beacon signal when the beacon button is activated.

10. A method of controlling a machine, comprising:

generating a stop signal, using a remote control device;

receiving the stop signal, using a receiver;

applying a threshold voltage to a first signal pin and a second signal pin, when the stop signal is received, wherein the first signal pin indicates a first travel direction and the second signal pin indicates a second travel direction of the machine; and

stopping a supply of power to a traction motor of the machine, when the threshold voltage is applied to the first signal pin and the second signal pin.

11. The method of claim 10, further including transmitting the stop signal to the receiver.

12. The method of claim 11, further including:

opening a control valve connected to an air brake system of the machine;

releasing air from the air brake system to the atmosphere; and

applying brakes to wheels of the machine.

13. The method of claim 12, further including:

activating a stop button on the remote control device; and

generating the stop signal in response to activation of the stop button.

14. The method of claim 12, further including transmitting the stop signal when a distance between the remote control device and the receiver exceeds a threshold distance.

15. The method of claim 12, further including applying the threshold voltage to the first signal pin and the second signal pin when a distance between the remote control device and the receiver exceeds a threshold distance.

16. The method of claim 12, further including:

periodically transmitting a beacon signal from the remote control device to the receiver;

determining a time interval between the beacon signal and a preceding beacon signal received by the receiver; and

applying the threshold voltage to the first signal pin and the second signal pin, when the time interval exceeds a threshold time interval.

17. The method of claim 16, further including:

activating a beacon button on the remote control device; and

generating the beacon signal in response to activation of the beacon button.

18. A mobile machine comprising:

a first signal pin configured to indicate a first travel direction of the machine;

a second signal pin configured to indicate a second travel direction of the machine;

a platform;

a plurality of wheels configured to support the platform;

a traction motor coupled to the plurality of wheels and configured to;

propel the machine in the first travel direction, when a threshold voltage is applied to the first signal pin; and

propel the machine in the second travel direction, when the threshold voltage is applied to the second signal pin;

a generator configured to supply power to the traction motor;

an override device, including

a receiver configured to receive a stop signal; and

a controller in communication with the receiver and configured to apply the threshold voltage to the first signal pin and the second signal pin, when the receiver has received the stop signal; and

a motor controller configured to direct the generator to stop supplying the power to the traction motor, when the controller has applied the threshold voltage to the first signal pin and the second signal pin.

19. The mobile machine of claim 18, further including:

an air brake system configured to apply brakes to the plurality of wheels; and

a control valve connected to the air brake system, wherein the controller is further configured to open the control valve and release air from the air brake system to the atmosphere, when the receiver has received the stop signal.