Remote Powered Unit Isolation in Rail Vehicle Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current powered rail vehicle systems lack the ability to remotely turn off or adjust the electrical power of remote powered units during a trip, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions, as well as fluctuations in operational modes that can disrupt on-board systems.
Innovation Solution
A control system and method that includes a controller device and an isolation module to remotely manage the operational modes of powered units, allowing for the activation and deactivation of remote powered units based on trip plans, tractive effort requirements, and energy management, enabling efficient fuel usage and system stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If remote powered units are kept running during the trip, then tractive force availability is maintained, but fuel consumption and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of remote powered units based on real-time tractive effort requirements. The lead powered unit can remotely activate or deactivate trailing locomotives during the trip, allowing the system to transition between having all units running and having some units shut down, optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining necessary tractive force availability
2Ease of operation
If the operator manually boards each remote powered unit to turn it on or off, then precise control is achieved, but operational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of manual boarding and physical interaction with remote powered units with an electronic control system. The lead powered unit communicates activation or deactivation commands to trailing locomotives through electrical or wireless communication, eliminating the need for operators to physically board each unit and significantly reducing the time and complexity of operational control
3Extent of automation
If known AESS devices are used to turn off trailing locomotives, then automated control is provided, but shutdown timing is delayed until parameters are within range
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by allowing the operator to initiate the shutdown command in advance based on predicted tractive effort requirements. Rather than waiting for engine parameters to naturally fall within a predetermined range, the operator can proactively deactivate trailing locomotives when it becomes clear they will not be needed, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption during the delay period while the automated system handles the actual shutdown process
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a vehicle system includes controlling a vehicle system having powered units that propel the vehicle system. A trip plan directs at least one of the powered units to remain in a non-propulsion generating mode during the trip. The method further includes slowing and/or stopping the vehicle system in contravention to the first trip plan, activating the at least one of the powered units out of the non-propulsion generating mode into an active, propulsion-generating mode when the vehicle system accelerates after the at least one of slowing or stopping in contravention to the first trip plan, and switching the at least one of the powered units back to the non-propulsion generating mode after the vehicle system achieves a designated speed following accelerating after the at least one of the slowing or stopping of the vehicle system in contravention to the first trip plan.