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Method and apparatus for optimizing railroad train operation for a train including multiple distributed-power locomotives

a technology of distributed power and locomotives, applied in the direction of adaptive control, process and machine control, instruments, etc., can solve the problem that the operator cannot generally operate the locomotive to minimize fuel consumption

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-10-04
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions by optimizing speed and power settings, ensuring compliance with EPA emission standards and improving overall train efficiency, with potential fuel savings of up to 7.6% compared to operator-controlled trips.

Problems solved by technology

However, even with sufficient knowledge and experience to assure safe operation, the operator generally cannot operate the locomotive to minimize fuel consumption (or other operating characteristics, e.g., emissions) during a trip.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for optimizing railroad train operation for a train including multiple distributed-power locomotives
  • Method and apparatus for optimizing railroad train operation for a train including multiple distributed-power locomotives
  • Method and apparatus for optimizing railroad train operation for a train including multiple distributed-power locomotives

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Embodiment Construction

[0030]Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments consistent with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts.

[0031]Aspects of the present invention solve certain problems in the art by providing a system, method, and computer implemented method for determining and implementing a driving strategy of a train including a locomotive consist and a plurality of railcars, by monitoring and controlling (either directly or through suggested operator actions) a train's operations to improve certain objective operating parameters while satisfying schedule and speed constraints. The embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to a train including a plurality of locomotive consists, referred to as a distributed power train.

[0032]Persons skilled in the art will recognize that an apparatus, such as a data processing system, includi...

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Abstract

One embodiment of the invention comprises a system for operating a railway vehicle (8) comprising a lead powered unit (14 / 15) and a non-lead powered unit (16 / 17 / 18) during a trip along a track The system comprises a first element (65) for determining a location of the vehicle or a time from the beginning of a current trip, aa processor (62) operable to receive information from the first element (65) and an algorithm embodied within the processor (62) having access to the information to create a trip plan that optimizes performance of one or both of the lead unit (14 / 15) and the non-lead unit (16 / 17 / 18) in accordance with one or more operational criteria for one or more of the vehicle (8), the lead unit (14 / 15) and the non-lead unit (16 / 17 / 18).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part application claiming the benefit of U.S. patent application entitled Trip Optimization System and Method for a Train, filed on Mar. 20, 2006 and assigned application Ser. No. 11 / 385,354, which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This embodiments of the invention relate to optimizing train operations, and more particularly to optimizing train operations for a train including multiple distributed power locomotive consists by monitoring and controlling train operations to improve efficiency while satisfying schedule constraints.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A locomotive is a complex system with numerous subsystems, each subsystem interdependent on other subsystems. An operator aboard a locomotive applies tractive and braking effort to control the speed of the locomotive and its load of railcars to assure safe and timely arrival at the desired destination. Speed control...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06F17/00
CPCB61L3/006B61L25/025G05B13/021B61L27/0027B61L2205/04B61L25/026G06Q10/06G06Q10/063B61L27/16B61L15/0058
Inventor KUMAR, AJITH KUTTANNAIRSHAFFER, GLENN ROBERTLAWRY, BRIAN D.DAUM, WOLFGANG
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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