Graduated train braking

• US 8,162,409 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Smith, Eugene A., Kellner, Steven Andrew, Peltonen, Glen Paul, Staton, Brian Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): BURCH, MELODY M
• Application Number:
  US11/067,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20060012246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,615 Days
• Field of Search: 303/9, 303/9.62, 303/9.66, 303/20, 303/28, 303/122, 303/122.15, 303/157, 303/158, 701/19, 701/20, 701/70, 701/76, 246/6, 246/14
• US Class Current: 303/9.62
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/665 the systems being specially adapted for transferring two or more command signals, e.g. railway systems B60T13/662 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/228 for railway vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2230/04 Jerk, soft-stop; Anti-jerk, reduction of pitch or nose-dive when braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/128 Self-acting brakes of different types for railway vehicles B60T7/12 takes precedence; self-acting brakes in general F16D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/127 for remote control of locomotives remote control of locomotives within a train consist B61C17/12

Abstract

A system (10) and method for automatically controlling braking of a train (38). The method includes applying a first degree of braking to the train during a first period of time, and then applying a second degree of braking to the train during a second time period following the first time period so that the train is slowed in a manner effective to limit a peak deceleration rate experienced by the train. The system includes a sensor (36) providing a signal indicative of an operating condition of a locomotive of the train requiring braking of the train, a memory (22) storing a braking schedule, and a processor (18) comprising logic executable for accessing the braking schedule stored in the memory responsive to the signal to automatically control braking of the locomotive according to the schedule.

Claims

1. A method for automatically controlling braking of a train being moved by a locomotive having a control system onboard for remotely controlling train operations comprising:

applying a first degree of braking to a train during a first time period when the locomotive is being remotely controlled via an onboard control system in an absence of control inputs from an onboard operator, the first degree of braking based on a first deceleration force selected so that the train is slowed in a manner effective to limit a peak deceleration rate experienced by the train sufficient for reducing unintended movement of a rider onboard the train; and

applying a second degree of braking to the train during a second time period following the first time period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second degree of braking is controlled based on a second deceleration force.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second degrees of braking are further controlled based on a percentage of a fully applied braking force.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second degree of braking comprises a fully applied braking force.