Train location system and method
First Claim
1. A method of determining track occupancy of a train after the train has passed through a turnout onto either of a first or at least a second track, comprising the steps of:
- inertially sensing linear and rotary acceleration associated with the movement of a train over a trackway;
determining, either directly or indirectly, distanced traveled over the trackway;
establishing, in an optimal estimator, a first computational instance for the first track and a second computational instance for the second track using predetermine track parameters, effecting the continued processing of each of the first and second computational instances computing at least the location of the train and/or values related thereto by derivation or integration and the corresponding estimated error states until one of the first and second computational instances exhibits pre-determined features in its estimated error states indicating that the track for that instance is not the track occupied by the train.
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Abstract
A train location system and method utilizes inertial measurement inputs, including orthogonal acceleration inputs and turn rate information, in combination with wheel-mounted tachometer information and GPS/DGPS position fixes to provide processed outputs indicative of track occupancy, position, direction of travel, velocity, etc. Various navigation solutions are combined together to provide the desired information outputs using an optimal estimator designed specifically for rail applications and subjected to motion constraints reflecting the physical motion limitations of a locomotive. The system utilizes geo-reconciliation to minimize errors and solutions that identify track occupancy when traveling through a turnout.
40 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A method of determining track occupancy of a train after the train has passed through a turnout onto either of a first or at least a second track, comprising the steps of:
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inertially sensing linear and rotary acceleration associated with the movement of a train over a trackway;
determining, either directly or indirectly, distanced traveled over the trackway;
establishing, in an optimal estimator, a first computational instance for the first track and a second computational instance for the second track using predetermine track parameters, effecting the continued processing of each of the first and second computational instances computing at least the location of the train and/or values related thereto by derivation or integration and the corresponding estimated error states until one of the first and second computational instances exhibits pre-determined features in its estimated error states indicating that the track for that instance is not the track occupied by the train.
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Specification