US 2020/0269891 A1 · Remote Control Locomotive Systems and Methods

Abstract

An example remote control locomotive (RCL) system includes a consist having at least one locomotive and at least one pneumatic brake pipe, and an RCL controller. The RCL controller includes a memory configured to store at least one pressurization reference including correspondence relationships between pneumatic brake pipe pressurization time periods and pneumatic brake pipe air volumes, and a processor configured to monitor a time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe of the consist. The processor is also configured to compare the monitored time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe to the pressurization reference, and determine a fault or a number of locomotives in the consist according to the comparison of the monitored time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe to the pressurization reference.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A remote control locomotive (RCL) system comprising:

a consist including at least one locomotive and at least one pneumatic brake pipe;
and
an RCL controller configured to control the at least one locomotive, the RCL controller comprising:
a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and at least one pressurization reference including correspondence relationships between pneumatic brake pipe pressurization time periods and pneumatic brake pipe air volumes;
and
a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in memory to:
monitor a time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe;
compare the monitored time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe to the pressurization reference stored in memory;
and
determine a fault or a number of locomotives in the consist according to the comparison of the monitored time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe to the pressurization reference stored in memory.

7 more elements

A remote control locomotive (RCL) controller comprising:

a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions for controlling one or more locomotives including at least one pneumatic brake pipe;
and
a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in memory to:
receive a Train Brake release command and determine whether the received Train Brake release command is received through a remote controlled locomotive (RCL) charge mode;
monitor an airflow rate over time associated with the at least one pneumatic brake pipe;
estimate a total volume of the at least one pneumatic brake pipe according to the monitored airflow rate over time;
categorize the estimated brake pipe volume and determine whether the categorized brake pipe volume meets a requirement of a specified operation;
and
proceed with the specified operation or command an emergency brake application in response to determining whether the categorized brake pipe volume meets a requirement of a specified operation.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remote Control Locomotive Systems and Methods

Life of this patent

Remote Control Locomotive Systems and Methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20