Vehicle Orientation Determination via Fluid Flow Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual entry of vehicle orientations in multi-locomotive consists is time-consuming and prone to human error, leading to potential safety issues due to incorrect orientation, which can cause unsafe operation and damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using sensor assemblies to determine the direction of fluid flow within a vehicle consist, allowing processors to automatically determine and configure the orientation of remote vehicles relative to a lead vehicle, enabling correct interpretation and implementation of command signals for coordinated tractive and braking efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual entry of vehicle orientations is used, then operators can configure remote locomotives, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically determining vehicle orientations through sensor assemblies that detect fluid flow directions. The remote locomotive autonomously identifies its orientation relative to the lead locomotive without requiring operator intervention, thereby eliminating manual entry errors and reducing configuration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of orientation entry with an automated sensing system. Sensor assemblies detect fluid flow directions in the train pipe, and processors automatically translate this data into orientation information, substituting human operators with an automated sensing and processing system.
2Ease of operation
If manual entry of orientations is used, then configuration can be performed, but incorrect entries can cause unsafe compression or stretching of the consist
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual configuration operations by performing self-determination of vehicle orientations. The sensor assembly and processor automatically identify the correct orientation and configure the remote locomotive accordingly, removing the possibility of human error while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor assemblies to continuously monitor fluid flow directions and provides feedback to the processor, which automatically adjusts the orientation configuration. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the configuration is always accurate and safe, preventing incorrect orientations that could cause consist damage.
3Reliability
If automated sensor assemblies are used to determine orientations, then human error is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly serves multiple functions: it detects fluid flow direction, determines vehicle orientation, and provides this information to the processor for automatic configuration. By making the sensor assembly multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated orientation sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the existing fluid flow system in the train pipe as an intermediary to convey orientation information. Rather than requiring complex direct sensing mechanisms, the system leverages the already-present fluid flow as a medium that carries directional information from the lead locomotive to remote locomotives, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Automatically determining vehicle orientations reduces human error and time consumption, ensuring safe and efficient operation of vehicle consists by accurately interpreting command signals and preventing misalignment issues.
Implementation Method 1
determining (with a sensor assembly disposed onboard a first vehicle) a direction in which a fluid flows within the first vehicle
Implementation Method 2
identifying a direction of air flow in an air brake pipe of a vehicle consist having a first vehicle and a second vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining an orientation of a vehicle are provided. The system and method determine (with a sensor assembly disposed onboard a first vehicle) a direction in which a fluid flows within the first vehicle. The first vehicle is included in a vehicle consist with a second vehicle. The orientation of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle is determined based at least in part on the direction in which the fluid flows within the first vehicle. The fluid may be air in an air brake pipe of the vehicle consist.