US 9,956,974 B2Granted

Vehicle consist configuration control

AssigneeGeneral Electric Company

InventorsJared Klineman Cooper, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Eugene Smith, Nick David Nagrodsky, William Cherrick Schoonmaker, Todd William Goodermuth

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A method includes obtaining data relating to operation of a first vehicle in a vehicle consist that includes the first vehicle and a second vehicle communicatively coupled with each other by a communication channel. The first vehicle includes a first electronic component performing functions for the first vehicle using the first data. The method also includes communicating the first data over the communication channel from the first vehicle to a second electronic component disposed onboard the second vehicle responsive to the first electronic component being unable to perform the one or more functions for the first vehicle using the first data. The method further includes performing the functions of the first electronic component with the second electronic component using the first data that is received from the first vehicle.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a second router transceiver unit configured to be disposed onboard a second vehicle of a vehicle consist that includes the second vehicle and at least a first vehicle mechanically interconnected with each other in the vehicle consist, the second router transceiver unit configured to be communicatively coupled with a first router transceiver unit disposed onboard the first vehicle by a communication channel;
a second electronic component configured to be disposed onboard the second vehicle and to be communicatively coupled with the second router transceiver unit,
wherein the second router transceiver unit also is configured to receive first data from the first vehicle over the communication channel responsive to a first electronic component of the first vehicle being unable to perform one or more designated functions of the first electronic component using the first data,
wherein the second electronic component is configured to perform the one or more functions of the first electronic component using the first data that is received by the second router transceiver unit.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/900,307Filed 22 May 2013 · continuation in part
Priority: 23 Jul 2004
Published: US 2013/0261842 A13 Oct 2013
Granted: 1 May 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B61L 15/0036
Communication with or on the vehicle or train: conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres
B61C 17/12
Arrangement or disposition of parts; Details or accessories not otherwise provided for; Use of control gear and control systems: control gear;…
B61L 15/0027
Communication with or on the vehicle or train: radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
B61L 15/0063
Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes: multiple on-board control systems, e.g. "2 out of 3"-systems

Family

Application60/590,555Us provisional application · filed 23 Jul 2004
Application11/183,369Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 17 Jul 2005
Application61/253,877Us provisional application · filed 22 Oct 2009
Application12/908,214Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 20 Oct 2010
US 2013/0261842 A1Pre-grant publication · published 3 Oct 2013
US 8,645,010 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2006/0025903 A1Published application
US 2011/0099413 A1Published application
US 9,956,974 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.