U.S. patent application number 11/464529 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for system and method for acquiring position of rolling stock.
Invention is credited to Daniel W. Plawecki.
Application Number | 20080042015 11/464529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39082859 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080042015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plawecki; Daniel W. |
February 21, 2008 |
System and Method for Acquiring Position of Rolling Stock
Abstract
A system to determine a location of rolling stock, the system
including a transmitting device proximate a surface on which a
rolling stock rides upon, a signal comprising at least one of
location data and unique identification data of the transmitting
device that is emitted from the transmitting device only when the
rolling stock is proximate the transmitting device, and a receiving
device that receives the signal.
Inventors: |
Plawecki; Daniel W.; (Ocala,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEUSSE WOLTER SANKS MORA & MAIRE, P.A.
390 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE, SUITE 2500
ORLANDO
FL
32801
US
|
Family ID: |
39082859 |
Appl. No.: |
11/464529 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
246/122R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L 3/125 20130101;
B61L 25/025 20130101; B61L 25/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
246/122.R |
International
Class: |
B61L 23/34 20060101
B61L023/34 |
Claims
1. A system to determine a location of rolling stock, the system
comprising: a. a transmitting device proximate a surface on which a
rolling stock rides upon; b. a signal comprising at least one of
location data and unique identification data of the transmitting
device that is emitted from the transmitting device when the
rolling stock is proximate the transmitting device; and c. a
receiving device that receives the signal.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiving device is located at
least one of on the rolling stock and at a stationary position
proximate the transmitting device.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the location data comprises at
least one of milepost data and unique position data within a known
space.
4. The system of claim 1 comprises a plurality of transmitting
devices formed in a network.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the network, signal, and receiving
device are used to determine at least one of velocity,
acceleration, direction and length of rolling stock.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein a malfunctioning transmitting
device within the network is detectable by other transmitting
devices in the network.
7. A system for determining a location of a train, the system
comprising: a. a sensor proximate a railroad rail; b. a
transmitting device in communication with the sensor; c. a signal
comprising at least one of location data and unique identification
data of the transmitting device which is emitted from the
transmitting device when the sensor is activated; and d. a
receiving device that receives the signal.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the sensor comprises an electric
pulse generator membrane beneath the railroad rail.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the membrane activates the
transmitting device when compressive force is applied to the rail
proximate the membrane.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the membrane activates the
transmitting device with at least one of an electrical pulse and a
wireless signal.
11. The system of claim 7 wherein the location data comprises at
least one of milestone position data and unique rail yard position
data.
12. The system of claim 7 wherein the receiving device is located
at least one of on the train and at a stationary wayside
location.
13. The system of claim 7 wherein a plurality of a sensors and
transmitting devices form a network.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the network is used to determine
at least one of velocity, acceleration, direction and length of the
train.
15. The system of claim 4 wherein a malfunctioning transmitting
device within the network is detectable by other transmitting
devices in the network.
16. A method for autonomously determining a location of a moving
vehicle, the system comprising: a. activating a transmitting device
that transmits a signal when the vehicle is proximate the
transmitting device; b. upon activating the transmitting device,
emitting the signal that comprises at least one of location data
and unique identification data of the transmitting device; and c.
receiving the signal so as to determine where the moving vehicle is
located.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving the signal comprises
at least one of receiving the signal on the vehicle and receiving
the signal at a receiving device proximate the transmitting
device.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein emitting a signal comprises
radiating an encoded milepost data.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprises activating the
transmitting device with a sensor when the moving vehicles is
proximate transmitting device that in turns activates the
transmitting device with at least one of an electrical pulse and a
wireless signal.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprises forming a network with
a plurality of transmitting devices.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein forming the network further
comprises determining at least one of velocity, acceleration,
direction and a length of moving vehicle using the network.
22. The method of claim 20 further comprises determining a
malfunctioning transmitting device within the network with other
transmitting devices in the network.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a rail and train system and, more
particularly, to a system and method for acquiring an exact
position of rolling stock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fixed rail transportation systems that include one or more a
rail vehicles traveling over spaced apart rails of a railway track
have been an efficient way of moving cargo and people from one
geographical location to another. In densely populated countries
and countries having an unimproved road transportation systems,
rail vehicles may be the primary means for moving people and cargo.
Accordingly, there are probably millions of miles of railroad track
throughout the world that need to be maintained to provide safe
rail transportation.
[0003] As rail and train systems evolve into smarter computer based
platforms, the need to know a precise location of a train, or
rolling stock, is appreciated. This need is especially needed when
the rolling stock is in remote areas where traditional location
detecting systems may not be accurate and knowing whether or not
such systems are accurate or not is not readily determinable. For
example, for some smarter computer based platforms even though GPS
is available, a secondary independent system is also required so as
to provide the required data integrity to insure that safety
critical decisions are made.
[0004] Various secondary systems have been proposed, but such
systems may be susceptible to malfunctions and/or failures wherein
knowing that a malfunction/failure occurred may not be readily
determined. Because of the vastness of the network of railway
tracks, a cost effective secondary system would be appreciated
where the cost to install and maintain the system is preferred.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention is directed towards a system and method for
acquiring an exact position of rolling stock. Towards this end, a
system to determine a location of rolling stock is disclosed. The
system includes a transmitting device proximate a surface on which
a rolling stock rides upon. A signal is also disclosed. The signal
has location data and/or unique identification data of the
transmitting device. The signal is emitted from the transmitting
device when the rolling stock is proximate the transmitting device.
A receiving device that receives the signal is also disclosed.
[0006] In another exemplary embodiment a system for determining a
location of a train is disclosed. This system includes a sensor
proximate a railroad rail, a transmitting device in communication
with the sensor, and a signal. The signal has location data and/or
unique identification data of the transmitting device which is
emitted from the transmitting device when the sensor is activated.
A receiving device that receives the signal is also disclosed.
[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment a method for
autonomously determining a location of a moving vehicle is
disclosed. The method includes activating a transmitting device
that transmits a signal when the vehicle is proximate the
transmitting device. Upon activating the transmitting device, the
signal is emitted. The signal has location data and/or unique
identification data of the transmitting device. The signal is
received by a receiving device located on the vehicle or proximate
the transmitting device so as to determine where the moving vehicle
is located.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more particular description of the invention briefly
described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a prior art illustration of a rail attached
to a rail tie;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention transmitting data; and
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments
consistent with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like
parts. Though the present invention is directed towards a system,
method and computerized method for acquiring an exact position of
rolling stock, those skilled in the art will recognize how the
present invention can be utilized in other embodiments than just
with rolling stock. Furthermore, acquiring an exact position of
rolling stock may also involve detecting the position, direction
traveled, velocity, acceleration, and length of the rolling
stock.
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a prior art illustration of a railway rail
detached to a railway tie. The railway can also be viewed as the
surface upon which the train, rolling stock, and/or vehicle rides
upon. Towards this end, even though a railway is disclosed, those
skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present
invention may be utilized with other surfaces. As illustrated, the
rail 10 and the tie 12 are separated by a shoe plate 14. The rail
10 and shoe plate 14 are then secured to the tie 12 by rail
spike(s) 16.
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts the present invention transmitting data. As
illustrated, a sensing device 20, such as a piezo electric pulse
generator membrane, is positioned underneath the rail 10 and
between the shoe plate 14 and the tie 12. A transmitter 24, or
transmitting device, such as a RF transmitter, is proximate the
membrane 20. For example in an exemplary embodiment, the
transmitter 24 is embedded and/or bored into the railroad tie 12.
In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter 24 is positioned
within the bed adjacent to the railroad tie 12. The membrane 20 may
either be directly connected 23 to the transmitter and/or in
another exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication network may
be available to allow the membrane 20 to communicate with the
transmitter 24.
[0015] Though a RF transmitter is discussed above, those skilled in
the art will readily recognize that other forms of communication
equipment may be used in the present invention wherein the signal
26 emitted is not RF. For example, in an exemplary embodiment,
Bluetooth technology may be utilized. In another exemplary
embodiment, a combination of technologies may be used, such as RF
and Bluetooth.
[0016] A receiving device 28, 30, or receiver, is located on a
train 31 or at a wayside mounted device 33 close to the transmitter
24. In an exemplary embodiment, as the wheels 22 of the locomotive
31, moving stock, vehicle, and/or train, passes over the rail 10
that has the membrane 20 beneath it, the compressive force exerted
by the weight of the train 31 activates the membrane 20 wherein an
electrical pulse is sent from the membrane 20 to the transmitter
24. Prior to receiving the electrical pulse, the transmitter 24 is
passive. In other words, the transmitter 24 is not transmitting.
Upon receiving a pulse from the membrane 20, the transmitter 24
emits a signal 26, which contains milestone position data, or
unique position data if the transmitter 24 is confined to a certain
known location. For example, if the present invention is used
within a rail yard, or known location, unique yard position data is
transmitted from the transmitter 24.
[0017] Thus, if used within a rail yard, in an exemplary
embodiment, then the unique yard position data is transmitted to
the wayside mounted receiver 28. Whereas, if the present invention
is used along a railway network, milestone, or milepost, position
data is transmitted back to the train, more than likely the
locomotive, where the receiver 30 is located. Though the wayside
mounted receiver 28 is discussed above as being located within a
rail yard, those skilled in the art, however, will also recognize
that wayside mounted receivers 28 may also be used within a railway
network so as to provide train location data to a wayside device 33
for use in performing a defined function.
[0018] In operation, when used in a rail network where the
locomotive 31 may need to acquire real time accurate train position
data, the present invention with autonomously provide milepost data
whenever the wheels 22 of a train 31 passes over the present
invention. The train 31 is then able to pass off this milepost data
to its systems and/or sub-systems that require such information. To
insure reliability, redundancy, sequence numbers, and/or source
data bits, built in tests (BITs) may also be added for improved
data integrity as needed for safety critical decisions that
utilizes position data, it is important that the integrity of the
position data be commensurable to the hazard risk associated with
the use of the position data.
[0019] When the present invention is installed within a rail yard,
or hump yard, the present invention will autonomously generate a
signal 26 encoded with specific yard position data whenever the
wheel 22 of rolling stock 31 passes over it. The wayside mounted
receiver 28 located in the yard will acquire the position data and
then pass it along to yard based systems that require such
information and can derive rolling stock position. The use of
multiple exemplary examples of the present invention in a network
environment in combination will allow the derivation of rolling
stock movement direction, velocity, acceleration and/or length of
the rolling stock. As discussed above, to insure reliability,
redundancy, sequence numbers, and/or source data bits, built in
tests (BITs) may also be added for improved data integrity as
needed for safety critical decisions that utilizes position data.
It is important that the integrity of the position data be
commensurable to the hazard risk associated with the use of the
position data.
[0020] Should an element of the present invention fail, fault
detection may be accomplished by the present invention when in a
networked configuration. The networked configuration can be
accomplished in a closed location, such as a hump and/or rail yard,
or the network can be formed within a railway network; for example,
the railway network that covers the United States.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, each transmitter is considered a
node within the networked configuration. The transmitter 24 and
receiver 28, 30 contain elements which link the two devices
together. Should the transmitter 24 fail, as an individual node in
a networked system, wherein an improper signal is emitted, then the
receiver/network will be able to detect the improper signal by
reading nodes, other transmitters, before and after the node that
failed. Thus if a transmitter is not transmitting proper or
reasonable data, the present network of invention nodes in
combination with network intelligence would know of this occurrence
and would be able to report that information for future repair or
invoke fail-safe or degraded modes of operation.
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method of the
present invention. As illustrated, the method provides for
activating a transmitting device that transmits a signal when the
vehicle, rolling stock, or train, is proximate the transmitting
device, step 40. Upon activating the transmitting device, the
signal emitted has information, or data, pertaining to location
data and/or unique identification data of the transmitting device,
step 42. The signal is received at a location so as to determine
where the moving vehicle is located, step 44. As disclosed
previously the location where the signal is received may include
vehicle and/or receiving device proximate the transmitting
device.
[0023] While the invention has been described in what is presently
considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and
modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to
the specific illustrative embodiment but be interpreted within the
full spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *