Electronic Rail Car Braking for Uniform Train Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumatic braking systems in trains suffer from time delays in initiating braking across rail cars, leading to potential derailment due to sequential brake application and uneven deceleration rates, as the braking signal travels at the speed of sound and applies a constant force regardless of car mass, causing rail car pile-up.
Innovation Solution
An electronic braking system that dynamically calculates and applies individualized braking forces for each rail car based on mass, deceleration rate, track gradient, and frictional forces, using an electronic signal generator, receiver, controller, and electro-mechanical actuator to ensure simultaneous and proportional deceleration across all cars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pneumatic braking systems are used with brake pipe pressure reduction signals, then the braking system can be activated across all rail cars, but the signal transmission delay causes sequential brake application and potential derailment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic signal transmission system with an electronic communication system. Instead of using compressed air pressure waves that travel at the speed of sound, the invention uses electronic signals transmitted through communication networks (cellular, satellite, radio frequency) to convey braking commands instantaneously to all rail cars, eliminating the signal propagation delay inherent in pneumatic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts braking forces for each individual rail car based on real-time conditions. Each rail car receives the braking command simultaneously and independently calculates its optimal braking force based on its mass, cargo load, and current speed, allowing all cars to decelerate uniformly without the sequential delay caused by pneumatic signal propagation.
2Ease of operation
If constant force braking is applied to all rail cars, then the braking system is simple to operate, but empty rail cars decelerate quicker than fully laden rail cars causing uneven braking and potential derailment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different braking forces to different rail cars based on their individual characteristics. Each rail car's controller determines its specific braking force based on local factors such as the car's mass, cargo load, and current speed, rather than applying a uniform braking force to all cars. This localized adjustment ensures that each car decelerates at the appropriate rate for its specific conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the braking force parameter dynamically for each rail car based on its mass and load conditions. Heavier, fully laden cars receive greater braking forces while lighter, empty cars receive reduced braking forces, allowing all cars to achieve uniform deceleration rates despite their different masses and cargo loads.
3Reliability
If pneumatic braking systems are used with brake pipe pressure reduction, then the braking signal can be transmitted throughout the train, but the sequential brake application causes rail car pile-up and structural stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pneumatic signal transmission system with an electronic communication system. Braking commands are transmitted electronically to all rail cars simultaneously, eliminating the sequential activation caused by pneumatic wave propagation. This allows all cars to begin braking at the same time, preventing the pile-up effect where trailing cars catch up to stopped leading cars.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables all rail cars to receive and prepare for braking action simultaneously before the actual deceleration begins. By transmitting the braking command electronically to all cars at once, each car can initiate its braking sequence at the same moment, preventing the cascading delay that occurs in pneumatic systems where cars activate in sequence from front to back.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing the threat of derailment of a train during deceleration is provided. An individualized braking force for each rail car of a train, such individualized braking force being determined by the braking deceleration of the train's locomotive, may be calculated by the rail car's controller and is directly proportional to the mass of the rail car. The controller may utilize the various forces acting upon the individual rail car as measured by a plurality of sensing and measuring devices to dynamically adjust the braking force applied to the individual rail car's brakes. Such a system and method allows for the train to act as a single body mass when decelerating to eliminate rail car pile-up and reduce the threat of derailment.