Locomotive Ride-Through Control via Geo-Fence Speed Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locomotive control systems struggle to prevent trains from stopping in no-stop zones with steep grades, leading to delays and operational inefficiencies, as they lack mechanisms to manage geo-fence operations effectively and ensure automatic train operation without human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A ride-through control system that uses geographic position sensors and controllers to compare the locomotive's position with pre-defined geo-fences, generating control commands to maintain speed and prevent slowing below a threshold within these zones based on operational parameters and user permissions, allowing for remote management of locomotive operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control system stops the train when detecting a fault or early warning of impending failure, then safety is improved, but the train may block the tracks in no-stop zones with steep grades, causing operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the track into geo-fenced zones with different operational characteristics. By dividing the track into segments with specific grades and stop restrictions, the control system can apply different fault response strategies in different zones, allowing safe operation in no-stop zones while maintaining safety protocols elsewhere
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining geo-fences with no-stop zone characteristics before faults occur. When a fault is detected, the control system checks whether the train is in a no-stop zone and takes preliminary protective measures (such as adjusting control commands) to prevent stopping, thereby maintaining operational efficiency while ensuring safety
2Productivity
If the control system allows automatic train operation without human intervention, then operational efficiency is improved, but the system lacks the ability to handle complex geo-fence management and discretionary changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic geo-fence management where the controller can automatically adjust geo-fence parameters and create temporary geo-fences based on real-time train position and operational conditions. This dynamic capability allows the automatic control system to adapt to changing conditions without human intervention, maintaining both efficiency and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors train position, compares it with geo-fence boundaries, and automatically adjusts control commands. The system also provides feedback to operators about geo-fence status and allows remote modification of geo-fence parameters, enabling the automatic system to handle complex management tasks while maintaining adaptability
3Reliability
If the control system implements multiple geo-fences with periodic discretionary changes, then operational constraints are improved, but the complexity of managing these geo-fences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs self-service by automatically managing multiple geo-fences without requiring continuous operator intervention. The system automatically detects when the train approaches geo-fence boundaries, determines the appropriate control actions, and executes them autonomously. The controller can also automatically create, modify, and delete geo-fences based on operational needs, reducing the complexity of manual management while maintaining reliable operational constraints
Data Source
AI summary
A ride-through control system for operating locomotives in a train includes a geographic position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a geographic position of a locomotive of a train, and a controller configured to receive the signal indicative of the geographic position of a locomotive and compare the geographic position of the locomotive with one or more pre-determined geographical locations or regions previously identified as geo-fences. The controller may also be configured to receive one or more locomotive operational signals indicative of at least one of an operational parameter, a fault, and a maintenance request associated with the locomotive, determine whether the geographic position of the locomotive coincides with a geo-fence characterized by conditions that may affect the ability of the locomotive to meet a trip objective if the locomotive were to slow below a threshold speed within the geo-fence, and generate a ride-through control command signal to prevent the locomotive from slowing below the threshold speed within the geo-fence based on at least one of the one or more locomotive operational signals and a user permission level.