Train control system and method of controlling a train or trains

• US 6,865,454 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2002
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Quantum Engineering, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Shockley, James Francis, Kane, Mark Edward, Hickenlooper, Harrison Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/186,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 701 19- 23, 701200-216, 701/300, 701/301, 246/72, 246/122.R, 246/167.R, 246/125, 246/176, 246/177, 246/126, 246/182.R, 246/186, 702/158, 702/159, 340/902, 340/903, 340/904
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0027 Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0036 Conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0054 Train integrity supervision, e.g. end-of-train [EOT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0062 On-board target speed calculation or supervision
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0072 On-board train data handling
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0081 On-board diagnosis or maintenance
• 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 25/021 Measuring and recording of train speed
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/023 Determination of driving direction of vehicle or train
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/026 Relative localisation, e.g. using odometer
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/20 Trackside control of safe travel of vehicle or train, e.g. braking curve calculation

Abstract

A train control system includes positioning systems at the end of the train and at the front of the train, allowing the conductor or engineer to unambiguously determine that no cars of the train have become detached. The positioning system at the end of the train is also used to verify that the entire train has cleared a block. This information can be relayed to a dispatcher, thereby eliminating the need for trackside sensing equipment. A control unit prevents the train from moving without an authorization that includes the train'"'"'s current position.

Claims

1. A method for authorizing movement of a plurality of trains, the method comprising the steps of:

setting an end point and a start point of a block of track dynamically;

authorizing a first train to occupy the block of track

receiving an indication from the first train that a global positioning sensor located at a rear of the first train has passed the end point; and

authorizing a second train to occupy the block of track.

2. A train comprising:

an end car;

a positioning system located on the end car;

a control unit in communication with the positioning system, the control unit being configured to accept a dynamically determined end point from a dispatcher of a block which the train has been authorized to occupy and to transmit a message to the dispatcher indicating that the positioning system has passed the end point.

3. The train of claim 2, further comprising:

a storage device connected to the control unit, the storage device including a database, the database including a location of the end point.

4. The train of claim 3, wherein the storage device is a non-volatile memory.