V-aware end of train device
AssigneeHarsco Technologies LLC
InventorPeter Michael Bartek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure teaches inter-vehicle communications for avoiding rear collision of rail vehicles on a railroad. For example, a collision avoidance system may comprise an end-of-train device and a V-aware unit located on different vehicles. The two devices may be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other, and then detect each other's presence by estimating a distance between them. Warnings may be issued to respective operators against a collision hazard when the distance drops to or below a pre-determined threshold.
Claims20
An end-of-train device positioned at about a rear end of a train, the end-of-train device comprising:
- at least one transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a rail vehicle that is moving towards the rear end of the train;
- and
- a processor configured to detect, based on the communication with the rail vehicle, a presence of the rail vehicle to prevent a potential collision between the train and the rail vehicle.
A vehicle (V)-aware unit located in a first rail vehicle that is situated at a distance from a second rail vehicle, the V-aware unit comprising:
- one or more transceivers configured to communicate with an end-of-train device positioned at about a rear end of the second rail vehicle;
- and
- a processor coupled to the one or more transceivers and configured to detect, based on the communication, a presence of the second rail vehicle.
A method of communication between a first vehicle, operated by a first operator, and a second vehicle, located in front of the first vehicle and operated by at least a second operator, for safety promotion, the method comprising:
- transmitting signals between the first and second vehicles to generally determine at least a distance range between the first and second vehicles;
- and
- issuing a warning to at least one of the first and second vehicles of a potential collision therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.