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System and method for train position sensing

  • US 9,714,042 B1
  • Filed: 06/18/2015
  • Issued: 07/25/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A rail transport system for conveying bulk materials, the system comprising:

  • a plurality of cars for forming a train, each of the plurality of cars having a pair of side plates and at least one of the plurality of cars having a car detection element associated therewith;

    a drive station for engaging the side plates of at least some of the plurality of cars to impart motion thereto; and

    a position sensing arrangement associated with the drive station, the position sensing arrangement being configured to determine position information including at least one of a train position and a position of the at least one of the plurality of cars;

    wherein the position sensing arrangement includes a position sensing unit having at least one position sensor and a controller in signal communication with the position sensing unit to determine the position information based on input from the position sensing unit;

    wherein each of the plurality of cars has a car detection element, each car detection element having a substantially identical length in a travel direction of the plurality of cars;

    wherein the at least one position sensor includes;

    a first position sensor responsive to the presence and absence of each of the plurality of car detection elements; and

    a second position sensor responsive to the presence and absence of each of the plurality of car detection elements and separated from the first position sensor in the travel direction by a first sensor spacing, the first sensor spacing being less than the detection element length;

    wherein the position sensing unit further includes a third position sensor responsive to the presence and absence of each of the plurality of car detection elements, separated by the second position sensor in the travel distance by a second sensor spacing and separated from the first position sensor by a third sensor spacing equal to the sum of the first and second sensor spacings, the second sensor spacing being less than the detection element length; and

    wherein the third sensor spacing is greater than the detection element length.

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