Remote Powered Unit Isolation in Rail Vehicle Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered rail vehicle systems lack the ability for operators to remotely turn off or idle remote powered units during a trip, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption due to the inability to adjust tractive force dynamically in response to changing parameters like track curvature and grade.
Innovation Solution
A control system and method that allow operators to remotely manage the operational state of remote powered units by turning them on or off based on trip plans, using a master isolation unit and slave controllers to adjust the tractive force, ensuring that remaining units provide sufficient motive output to maintain trip demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If remote powered units remain on during the entire trip, then sufficient tractive force is always available, but fuel consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of remote powered units based on real-time tractive effort requirements. The lead locomotive continuously monitors trip parameters (grade, curvature, speed) and remotely commands remote powered units to turn on or off accordingly, making the tractive force supply dynamic rather than static throughout the trip
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the lead locomotive receives information about trip conditions, calculates required tractive effort, and sends control commands to remote powered units. This closed-loop control ensures that powered units are activated only when their tractive contribution is needed, optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining reliability
2Ease of operation
If operators manually board remote powered units to turn them on or off, then precise control is achieved, but operational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lead locomotive's control system is enhanced with multi-functionality to not only control its own powered units but also to remotely manage trailing powered units. This universal control capability eliminates the need for separate manual intervention at each remote unit while the communication infrastructure serves multiple control purposes
Solution Approach 2:
A communication system acts as an intermediary between the lead locomotive and remote powered units. This mediator transmits control commands and status information, enabling remote operation without requiring physical presence at each unit, thus simplifying operator tasks while managing system complexity through standardized communication protocols
3Use of energy by moving object
If trailing locomotives are turned off early to save fuel, then energy efficiency improves, but engine temperature may drop below operational thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of engine temperature status before commanding a shutdown. The lead locomotive monitors temperature feedback from remote powered units and only issues turn-off commands when temperature conditions are satisfied, preventing premature shutdowns that would compromise engine readiness
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature feedback from remote powered units is continuously monitored and used as a control parameter. The lead locomotive receives temperature status information and adjusts shutdown timing accordingly, ensuring that engines are turned off only when temperature has decreased to acceptable levels, thus maintaining reliability while optimizing fuel efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes obtaining motive outputs demanded by a trip plan for a vehicle system having interconnected propulsion-generating vehicles, determining motive output capabilities of the propulsion-generating vehicles, and identifying segments of the trip where the motive output capabilities of the propulsion-generating vehicles exceed motive outputs demanded by the trip plan over the segments. The method further includes selecting one or more of the propulsion-generating vehicles for turning at least one of off or to idle in the one or more segments while one or more remaining propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system remain on. The propulsion-generating vehicles are selected such that a total motive output capability of the one or more remaining propulsion-generating vehicles remains at least as great as the motive outputs demanded by the trip plan over the one or more segments.