Vehicle Control System for Predictive Deration Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle systems experience engine deration due to environmental and internal changes during trips, leading to discrepancies between planned and actual performance, which can necessitate manual control and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses processors to obtain environmental data and predict power output capability ranges for different geographic areas, communicating instructions to control the vehicle's movement to stay within these ranges and prevent deration events, utilizing predictive models based on historical data to adjust propulsion settings and vehicle configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If uniform engine power delivery is assumed throughout the trip, then movement planning can be simplified and executed automatically, but the accuracy of the movement plan deteriorates due to unaccounted engine deration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of geographic areas associated with deration events before executing the movement plan. Environmental data is obtained in advance for the scheduled route, and areas prone to deration are identified using historical data and predictive models, allowing the movement plan to be adjusted proactively rather than reacting to deration events during execution
Solution Approach 2:
The movement plan is made dynamic by adjusting power output instructions based on the identified deration-prone geographic areas. The system modifies the movement plan in real-time or near-real-time to account for predicted engine performance variations, transitioning from a static uniform power delivery assumption to a dynamic adaptive control approach
2Measurement precision
If environmental factors are monitored and accounted for, then engine performance accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses geographic location as an intermediary to link environmental conditions with engine performance. Instead of directly monitoring all environmental parameters throughout the vehicle, the system identifies geographic areas associated with deration events using historical data, then uses location-based information to trigger appropriate power output adjustments. This intermediary approach simplifies the system compared to continuous multi-sensor environmental monitoring while maintaining measurement precision
3Reliability
If power output is reduced to prevent deration events, then engine reliability is improved, but vehicle productivity decreases due to lower speed or extended travel time
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by implementing deration prevention measures only in specific geographic areas where deration events are associated, rather than reducing power output uniformly throughout the entire trip. The movement plan maintains optimal power delivery in areas without deration history while applying conservative power management only in identified problem areas, thus minimizing the impact on overall productivity while ensuring engine reliability where needed
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes one or more processors configured to obtain environmental data geographically and temporally corresponding to scheduled travel of a vehicle system. The one or more processors are further configured to determine a power output capability range for the vehicle system traveling during a trip based on the environmental data that is obtained. The one or more processors are also configured to communicate instructions to at least one of a propulsion system of the vehicle system or a vehicle controller of the vehicle system for controlling movement of the vehicle system during the trip such that the vehicle system produces a power output within the power output capability range as the vehicle system travels. The environmental data includes historical values of one or more of temperature, pressure, or air constituency in geographic areas through which the vehicle system will travel during the trip.