Method of transferring files and analysis of train operational data

• US 20040093196A1
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Original Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Inventors: Hawthorne, Michael J., Nickles, Stephen K., Haley, John E., Sherwood, Dale L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,263,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/8
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0072 On-board train data handling
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/009 On-board display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/40 Handling position reports or trackside vehicle data
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/57 for vehicles or trains, e.g. trackside supervision of train conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/60 Testing or simulation
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/125 using short-range radio transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A method of transferring files between a computer on board a train and a remote station including determining if the remote station is within range of the train and establishing wireless communication between the onboard computer and the remote station. Next, the computer determines whether there are files to be transferred, and if so, transfers the file. If the remote station has updates to be transferred to the train, such updates are transferred to the onboard computer. Files and updates are also transferred between remote stations and between remote stations and a home base station. A method of adjusting a simulator includes inputting data from the train onto a simulator. The simulator is operated with the data and the simulator automatically adjusts the parameters of the simulator until the data of the simulator matches the data from the train. The data can then be process and analyzed.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting a simulator comprising:

inputting the data from a train into the simulator;

operating the simulator with the data; and

adjusting automatically parameters of the simulator until data of the simulator matches the data from the train.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include one or more of grade resistance, curve resistance, rolling resistance, tractive effort of the train'"'"'s locomotives, dynamic brake effort of the locomotives, pneumatic brake system, and train weight.

3. A method according to claim 1, including analyzing the inputted data on the simulator after adjusting of the parameters.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the analysis includes identifying anomalies in the inputted data and reporting the anomalies.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the parameters includes comparing the simulator data and the train data during a change of velocity.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the train data is from an event recorder on the train and adjusting the parameters includes comparing the simulator data and the event recorder data during one or more trip features including:

curves, grades, braking and throttle changes.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the train includes plural event recorders storing the train data and including inputting data from each of the event recorders into the simulator and operating the simulator and adjusting the parameters using the data from all the event recorders.

8. A method according to claim 1, including providing a simulator on the train.

9. A method according to claim 8, including storing the adjusted parameters with the data of the train on an event recorder on the train.