Remote Vehicle Positioning via Automated Throttle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In rail freight operations, the lack of integrated control systems for vehicles leads to inefficiencies and potential collisions during positioning and unloading, particularly due to manual intervention and external forces affecting train positioning, resulting in damage and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

An external control system that communicates with on-board transceivers to remotely control vehicles, allowing for precise positioning and throttle adjustments, preventing unwanted movement and collisions by establishing a positioning mode of operation based on signals from indexing equipment and vehicle environment sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual intervention is used to control throttle and brakes for positioning trains, then operators can adjust vehicle position, but lag time and errors occur due to communication delays between operators and yardmaster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidlag time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

An automated control system acts as an intermediary between the yardmaster and the train's throttle/brake systems. The yardmaster provides positioning commands through the control system, which automatically adjusts the throttle and brakes without requiring manual intervention by onboard crew, thereby eliminating communication lag and reducing positioning errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual control system with an automated electronic control system. Instead of relying on human operators to manually adjust throttles and brakes based on verbal or visual communication with the yardmaster, the system uses automated signal processing and electronic control to directly manipulate the train's propulsion and braking systems, eliminating the time delay inherent in manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If external indexing arm is used to move train into position, then positioning can be achieved, but external forces cause train to move out of position after indexing arm retracts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning operationVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary positioning actions by adjusting the throttle and brakes before the indexing arm retracts. The system anticipates the effects of external forces and applies counteracting forces through the train's own propulsion system, ensuring the train remains in the desired position even after the indexing arm releases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the train's position and applies feedback control. Sensors detect any movement of the train caused by external forces such as wind or grade, and the control system automatically adjusts the throttle and brakes to counteract these forces and maintain the train in its intended position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If train moves out of position due to external forces, then positioning is achieved initially, but impacts occur between train and unloading equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunloading operation efficiencyVSAvoidimpacts with equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system applies preliminary counteracting forces through the throttle and brakes to prevent the train from moving into the unloading equipment. By anticipating the effects of external forces such as wind or grade, the system proactively adjusts the train's position to counteract these forces before they can cause the train to move and impact the equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Adaptability or versatility

If nonintegrated control systems are used for tower control, then remote control capability is provided, but efficacy is reduced when integrated control is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol integrationVSAvoidcontrol efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tower control system with the train's onboard control systems by integrating the throttle and brake control functions. The yardmaster's positioning commands are directly transmitted to and executed by the train's propulsion and braking systems through a unified control architecture, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and improving overall control efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9371076B2Method and apparatus for positioning a vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A method for remotely controlling a plurality of vehicles includes receiving at an external control system, under an indexing mode of operation, a first signal from off-board vehicle indexing equipment. The method further includes establishing in the external control system a positioning mode of operation in response to the first signal. Further, under the positioning mode of operation, and in response to actuation of an interface of the external control system, the method includes sending from the external control system a second signal to a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, the second signal comprising a first command to adjust a throttle setting of first vehicle and a second command to idle a throttle of at least one second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles.