U.S. patent application number 13/906533 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for system and method for controlling de-rating of propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system.
The applicant listed for this patent is GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Jared Klineman COOPER, William Cherrick SCHOONMAKER, Stephen Craig SHELTON.
Application Number | 20140358339 13/906533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51986027 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140358339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COOPER; Jared Klineman ; et
al. |
December 4, 2014 |
System And Method For Controlling De-Rating Of
Propulsion-Generating Vehicles In A Vehicle System
Abstract
A method for de-rating propulsion-generating vehicles in a
vehicle system includes identifying a feature of interest in a
route and identifying one or more propulsion-generating vehicles as
de-rating vehicles that are subject to a handling rule associated
with the feature of interest. The handling rule dictates that
throttle settings be limited to a reduced range when traveling over
the feature of interest. The method further includes, when the
de-rating vehicles are traveling along the route and outside of the
feature of interest, operating the de-rating vehicles using a
larger range of throttle settings and, responsive to approaching
and/or traveling over the feature of interest, automatically
de-rating at least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles
in the vehicle system by operating the at least a subset of the
propulsion-generating vehicles using the smaller range of throttle
settings during travel over the feature of interest.
Inventors: |
COOPER; Jared Klineman;
(Melbourne, FL) ; SCHOONMAKER; William Cherrick;
(Melbourne, FL) ; SHELTON; Stephen Craig;
(Melbourne, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY |
SCHENECTADY |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51986027 |
Appl. No.: |
13/906533 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L 3/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/20 |
International
Class: |
B61L 27/04 20060101
B61L027/04 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: identifying a feature of interest in a
route to be traveled or being traveled by a vehicle system having
plural propulsion-generating vehicles; identifying one or more of
the propulsion-generating vehicles as de-rating vehicles that are
subject to a handling rule associated with the feature of interest,
the handling rule dictating that throttle settings of the de-rating
vehicles be limited to a reduced range of throttle settings when
the de-rating vehicles travel over or through the feature of
interest in the route, the reduced range of throttle settings being
a smaller range of throttle settings that the de-rating vehicles
are permitted to use relative to a larger range of throttle
settings that the de-rating vehicles are permitted to use when
traveling on the route outside of the feature of interest; when the
de-rating vehicles are traveling along the route and outside of the
feature of interest, operating the de-rating vehicles using the
larger range of throttle settings; and responsive to at least one
of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system at
least one of approaching or traveling over the feature of interest,
automatically de-rating at least a subset of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system by operating
the at least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles using
the smaller range of throttle settings during travel over the
feature of interest.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically de-rating the at
least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles terminates
upon completion of travel over the feature of interest in the
route.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature of interest includes
at least one of a crossing between the route and at least an
additional route or a bridge along the route.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the propulsion-generating
vehicles are arranged in two or more consists in the vehicle
system, the consists each including at least one of the
propulsion-generating vehicles, the consists separated from each
other by one or more non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the
vehicle system.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically de-rating the at
least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle
system includes operating all of the propulsion-generating vehicles
in the vehicle system using the smaller range of throttle settings
during an entire time period that begins with a first consist along
a direction of travel of the vehicle system reaching the feature of
interest and that ends with a last consist along the direction of
travel passing the feature of interest.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein, for each of the consists, all of
the propulsion-generating vehicles in the consist are de-rated
during an entire time period that the consist is traveling over the
feature of interest even if the consist is without any of the
de-rating vehicles that are subject to the handling rule associated
with the feature of interest, and wherein none of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are de-rated
during times when the one or more non-propulsion-generating
vehicles in the vehicle system are traveling over the feature of
interest.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein, for each of the consists, all of
the propulsion-generating vehicles in the consist are de-rated
during an entire time period that the consist is traveling over the
feature of interest only if the consist includes at least one of
the de-rating vehicles that is subject to the handling rule
associated with the feature of interest.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein none of the propulsion-generating
vehicles in the vehicle system are de-rated during times when the
one or more non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle
system are traveling over the feature of interest.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the de-rating vehicles
that is subject to the handling rule is de-rated during an entire
time period that the de-rating vehicle travels over the feature of
interest without de-rating the propulsion-generating vehicles that
are not subject to the handling rule.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the propulsion-generating
vehicles that are not subject to the handling rule are operated
using the larger range of throttle settings during travel over the
feature of interest.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle system comprises one
or more non-propulsion-generating vehicles, and wherein none of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are de-rated
during times when the one or more non-propulsion-generating
vehicles in the vehicle system are traveling over the feature of
interest.
12. A system comprising: an identification apparatus configured to
determine which propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system
having plural interconnected propulsion-generating vehicles are
de-rating vehicles that are subject to a handling rule associated
with a feature of interest in a route to be traveled or being
traveled by the vehicle system, the handling rule dictating that
throttle settings of the de-rating vehicles be limited to a reduced
range of throttle settings when the de-rating vehicles travel over
or through the feature of interest in the route, the reduced range
of throttle settings being a smaller range of throttle settings
that the de-rating vehicles are permitted to use relative to a
larger range of throttle settings that the de-rating vehicles are
permitted to use when traveling on the route outside of the feature
of interest; a location determination apparatus configured to
determine when one or more of the propulsion-generating vehicles
are at least one of approaching or at the feature of interest; and
a control apparatus configured to operate the de-rating vehicles
using the larger range of throttle settings when the de-rating
vehicles are traveling along the route and outside of the feature
of interest, the control apparatus also configured to automatically
de-rate at least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles in
the vehicle system by operating the propulsion-generating vehicles
in the at least a subset using the smaller range of throttle
settings during travel over the feature of interest.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control apparatus is
configured to automatically terminate de-rating of the at least a
subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles upon completion of
travel over the feature of interest in the route.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the feature of interest
includes at least one of a crossing between the route and at least
an additional route or a bridge along the route.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the propulsion-generating
vehicles are arranged in two or more consists in the vehicle
system, the consists each including at least one of the
propulsion-generating vehicles, the consists separated from each
other by one or more non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the
vehicle system.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the control apparatus is
configured to control all of the propulsion-generating vehicles in
the vehicle system using the smaller range of throttle settings
during an entire time period that begins with a first consist along
a direction of travel of the vehicle system reaching the feature of
interest and that ends with a last consist along the direction of
travel passing the feature of interest.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein, for each of the consists, the
control apparatus is configured to de-rate all of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the consist during an entire time
period that the consist is traveling over the feature of interest
even if the consist is without any of the de-rating vehicles that
are subject to the handling rule associated with the feature of
interest, and none of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the
vehicle system are de-rated during times when the one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are
traveling over the feature of interest.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein, for each of the consists, the
control apparatus is configured to de-rate all of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the consist during an entire time
period that the consist is traveling over the feature of interest
only if the consist includes at least one of the de-rating vehicles
that is subject to the handling rule associated with the feature of
interest.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the control apparatus is
configured to de-rate none of the propulsion-generating vehicles in
the vehicle system during times when the one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are
traveling over the feature of interest.
20. The system of claim 12, wherein the control apparatus is
configured to de-rate each of the de-rating vehicles that is
subject to the handling rule during an entire time period that the
de-rating vehicle travels over the feature of interest without
de-rating the propulsion-generating vehicles that are not subject
to the handling rule.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the control apparatus is
configured to control the propulsion-generating vehicles that are
not subject to the handling rule using the larger range of throttle
settings during travel over the feature of interest.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle system comprises
one or more non-propulsion-generating vehicles, and wherein the
control apparatus is configured to de-rate none of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system during times
when the one or more non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the
vehicle system are traveling over the feature of interest.
23. A method comprising: automatically controlling throttle
settings of a rail vehicle consist as the rail vehicle consist
travels along a track, the rail vehicle consist having a lead
vehicle consist and at least one remote vehicle consist that each
include one or more propulsion-generating rail vehicles and that
are connected with each other by one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles disposed between the lead
vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist;
de-rating the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the
lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist
while the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle
consist are traveling over a designated track feature, the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles de-rated by limiting the
throttle settings of the propulsion-generating rail vehicles to a
designated first maximum throttle level that is less than a second
maximum throttle level that the propulsion-generating rail vehicles
are controlled to when not traveling over the designated track
feature; and de-rating the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in
each of the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote
vehicle consist while the one or more non-propulsion-generating
rail vehicles are traveling over the designated track feature but
not de-rating the propulsion-generating vehicles in each of the
lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist
after a last of the at least one remote vehicle consist, in a
direction of travel of the rail vehicle consist, has passed over
the designated track feature.
24. A method comprising: automatically controlling throttle
settings of a rail vehicle consist as the rail vehicle consist
travels along a track, the rail vehicle consist having a lead
vehicle consist and at least one remote vehicle consist that each
include one or more propulsion-generating rail vehicles and that
are connected with each other by one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles disposed between the lead
vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist;
wherein automatically controlling the throttle settings of the rail
vehicle consist comprises automatic operation of the rail vehicle
consist in at least one of the following modes: a first mode of
operation wherein the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each
of the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle
consist are automatically de-rated while the lead vehicle consist
and the at least one remote vehicle consist are traveling over a
designated track feature, the propulsion-generating rail vehicles
de-rated by limiting the throttle settings of the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles to a designated first maximum
throttle level that is less than a second maximum throttle level
that the propulsion-generating rail vehicles are controlled to when
not traveling over the designated track feature, and the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist being
automatically de-rated while the one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over the
designated track feature; a second mode of operation wherein all
the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist are
automatically de-rated only while the lead vehicle consist and the
at least one remote vehicle consist are traveling over the
designated track feature but not while the one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over the
designated track feature; a third mode of operation wherein for
each of the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote
vehicle consist, all the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the
consist are automatically de-rated but only if at least one of the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the consist is designated
for operation at no more than the designated first maximum throttle
level when traveling over the designated track feature; or a fourth
mode of operation wherein while the vehicle consist is traveling
over the designated track feature, only those propulsion-generating
rail vehicles in the consist that are designated for operation at
no more than the designated first maximum throttle level when
traveling over the designated track feature are automatically
de-rated.
Description
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to
controlling motive operations of propulsion-generating
vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A vehicle "consist" is a group of one or more vehicles that
are mechanically coupled to travel together along a route. For
example, a train may include one or more locomotive consists that
act to propel the train along a track. The train may move through
and/or across a variety of features in the track, such as
crossings, bridges, and the like. Some locomotives may need to
travel slower over one or more of these features in order to avoid
damaging components of the locomotives.
[0003] For example, locomotives that are powered by direct current
supplied from by an electrified rail may receive the current via
one or more brushes that engage the electrified rail. These brushes
may become damaged if the locomotives travel too fast over a
crossing between tracks. Other types of locomotives, such as those
powered by alternating current supplied by a catenary, may not need
to slow down when traveling through such crossings as the
locomotives do not include the brushes that may be damaged.
[0004] The operators of some trains may not be fully aware of
whether the trains include one or more locomotives that need to
travel slower through crossings and/or where such locomotives are
located in the trains. As a result, the trains may be operated at
slower speeds than is necessary in an abundance of caution to avoid
damaging components of the locomotives. For those trains that do
include one or more locomotives that require the slower speeds
through crossings, the operators may unnecessarily slow movement of
all locomotives, including those that do not require the slower
travel, through the crossings. Unnecessarily slowing the trains
results in reduced throughput of the trains in a network of tracks,
trains operating behind schedules, and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for controlling de-rating
of propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system) includes
identifying a feature of interest in a route to be traveled or
being traveled by a vehicle system having plural
propulsion-generating vehicles and identifying one or more of the
propulsion-generating vehicles as de-rating vehicles that are
subject to a handling rule associated with the feature of interest.
The handling rule dictates that throttle settings of the de-rating
vehicles are to be limited to a reduced range of throttle settings
when the de-rating vehicles travel over or through the feature of
interest in the route. The reduced range of throttle settings is a
smaller range of throttle settings that the de-rating vehicles are
permitted to use relative to a larger range of throttle settings
that the de-rating vehicles are permitted to use when traveling on
the route outside of the feature of interest. The method also
includes, operating the de-rating vehicles using the larger range
of throttle settings when the de-rating vehicles are traveling
along the route and outside of the feature of interest and,
responsive to at least one of the propulsion-generating vehicles in
the vehicle system at least one of approaching or traveling over
the feature of interest, automatically de-rating at least a subset
of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system by
operating the at least a subset of the propulsion-generating
vehicles using the smaller range of throttle settings during travel
over the feature of interest.
[0006] In an embodiment, a system (e.g., a control system) includes
an identification apparatus, a location determination apparatus,
and a control apparatus. The identification apparatus is configured
to determine which propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle
system having plural interconnected propulsion-generating vehicles
are de-rating vehicles that are subject to a handling rule
associated with a feature of interest in a route to be traveled or
being traveled by the vehicle system. The handling rule dictates
that throttle settings of the de-rating vehicles be limited to a
reduced range of throttle settings when the de-rating vehicles
travel over or through the feature of interest in the route. The
reduced range of throttle settings is a smaller range of throttle
settings that the de-rating vehicles are permitted to use relative
to a larger range of throttle settings that the de-rating vehicles
are permitted to use when traveling on the route outside of the
feature of interest. The location determination apparatus is
configured to determine when one or more of the
propulsion-generating vehicles are at least one of approaching or
at the feature of interest. The control apparatus is configured to
operate the de-rating vehicles using the larger range of throttle
settings when the de-rating vehicles are traveling along the route
and outside of the feature of interest. The control apparatus also
is configured to automatically de-rate at least a subset of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system by operating
the propulsion-generating vehicles in the at least a subset using
the smaller range of throttle settings during travel over the
feature of interest.
[0007] In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for controlling de-rating
of a vehicle consist) includes automatically controlling throttle
settings of a rail vehicle consist as the rail vehicle consist
travels along a track. The rail vehicle consist has a lead vehicle
consist and at least one remote vehicle consist that each include
one or more propulsion-generating rail vehicles and that are
connected with each other by one or more non-propulsion-generating
rail vehicles disposed between the lead vehicle consist and the at
least one remote vehicle consist. The method also includes
de-rating the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the
lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist
while the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle
consist are traveling over a designated track feature. The
propulsion-generating rail vehicles are de-rated by limiting the
throttle settings of the propulsion-generating rail vehicles to a
designated first maximum throttle level that is less than a second
maximum throttle level that the propulsion-generating rail vehicles
are controlled to when not traveling over the designated track
feature. The method further includes de-rating the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist while the one
or more non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over
the designated track feature but not de-rating the
propulsion-generating vehicles in each of the lead vehicle consist
and the at least one remote vehicle consist after a last of the at
least one remote vehicle consist, in a direction of travel of the
rail vehicle consist, has passed over the designated track
feature.
[0008] In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for controlling de-rating
of a vehicle consist) includes automatically controlling throttle
settings of a rail vehicle consist as the rail vehicle consist
travels along a track. The rail vehicle consist has a lead vehicle
consist and at least one remote vehicle consist that each include
one or more propulsion-generating rail vehicles and that are
connected with each other by one or more non-propulsion-generating
rail vehicles disposed between the lead vehicle consist and the at
least one remote vehicle consist. Automatically controlling the
throttle settings of the rail vehicle consist comprises automatic
operation of the rail vehicle consist in at least one of a first,
second, third, or fourth mode of operation.
[0009] The first mode of operation involves the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist being
automatically de-rated while the lead vehicle consist and the at
least one remote vehicle consist are traveling over a designated
track feature. The propulsion-generating rail vehicles are de-rated
by limiting the throttle settings of the propulsion-generating rail
vehicles to a designated first maximum throttle level that is less
than a second maximum throttle level that the propulsion-generating
rail vehicles are controlled to when not traveling over the
designated track feature. The propulsion-generating rail vehicles
in each of the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote
vehicle consist are automatically de-rated while the one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over the
designated track feature.
[0010] The second mode of operation involves all the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist being
automatically de-rated only while the lead vehicle consist and the
at least one remote vehicle consist are traveling over the
designated track feature but not while the one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over the
designated track feature.
[0011] The third mode of operation involves, for each of the lead
vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist, all
the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the consist being
automatically de-rated but only if at least one of the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the consist is designated
for operation at no more than the designated first maximum throttle
level when traveling over the designated track feature.
[0012] The fourth mode of operation involves, while the vehicle
consist is traveling over the designated track feature, only those
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the consist that are
designated for operation at no more than the designated first
maximum throttle level when traveling over the designated track
feature being automatically de-rated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The subject matter described herein will be better
understood from reading the following description of non-limiting
embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein
below:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle
system;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the vehicle system
shown in FIG. 1 traveling on a route toward a feature of
interest;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a feature of interest that
may be associated with one or more handling rules;
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a feature of interest that
may be associated with one or more handling rules;
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a feature of interest that
may be associated with one or more handling rules;
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a feature of interest that
may be associated with one or more handling rules;
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
of controlling operations (e.g., de-rating) of a vehicle
system;
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
of controlling operations (e.g., de-rating) of a vehicle
system;
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
of controlling operations (e.g., de-rating) of a vehicle
system;
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
of controlling operations (e.g., de-rating) of a vehicle system;
and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein
relate to changing operating limits imposed on
propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system as the vehicle
system travels over features of interest in a route when the
propulsion-generating vehicles having handling rules associated
with the features of interest. As one example, some locomotives in
a rail vehicle system may be associated with special rules that
restrict throttle settings that may be used for those locomotives
when the locomotives travel over a crossing in a track, a bridge,
or the like. These locomotives may be electrically powered by
direct current (DC) using brushes that may be damaged if the
locomotives travel over the feature of interest at too great of a
speed. Consequently, the handling rules associated with these types
of locomotives may restrict the throttle settings that may be used
to control the locomotives as the locomotives travel over the
features of interest in the route. Optionally, the locomotives may
have one or more other restrictions on the locomotives that limit
the throttle settings that may be used during travel over the
features of interest. While the description focuses on rail
vehicles, not all embodiments are limited to rail vehicles. For
example, one or more aspects of the inventive subject matter may be
used with other off-highway vehicles (e.g., vehicles that are not
designed or permitted for travel on public roads), automobiles,
marine vessels, and the like.
[0026] A technical effect of embodiments described herein includes
improved throughput and faster travel of vehicle systems, such as
by avoiding slowing trains having one or more locomotives that
require slower travel over features of interest in a track (e.g.,
crossings, bridges, and the like), when these locomotives are not
traveling over the features of interest.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle
system 100. The vehicle system 100 includes several vehicles 102,
104 (e.g., vehicles 102A-F and vehicles 104A-D) that are
interconnected with each other by coupling mechanisms 106, such as
couplers. The vehicles 102, 104 are connected such that the
vehicles 102, 104 travel together along a route 108. Although six
vehicles 102 and four vehicles 104 are shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle
system 100 may include a different number and/or arrangement of the
vehicles 102 and/or the vehicles 104.
[0028] The vehicles 102 represent propulsion-generating vehicles
that generate propulsive force (e.g., tractive effort) to propel
the vehicle system 100 along the route 108. For example, the
vehicles 102 may be locomotives or other types of vehicles that
perform work to move the vehicle system 100. The vehicles 102 may
be grouped into consists 110 (e.g., consists 110A-C) of the vehicle
system 100. Each of the consists 110A, 110B represents two or more
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 that are directly coupled with
each other. The consist 110C includes a single
propulsion-generating vehicle 102. The number and/or arrangement of
the vehicles 102 in the consists 110 may be different from what is
shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] The consist 110A may be referred to as a leading consist
because the consist 110A is disposed ahead of the consists 110B,
110C along a direction of travel 112 of the vehicle system 100. The
consists 110B, 110C may be referred to as remote or trailing
consists because the consists 110B, 110C are disposed behind the
consist 110A along the direction of travel 112 of the vehicle
system 100. The consist 110B may be referred to as a leading
consist with respect to the consist 110C and a trailing consist
with respect to the consist 110A.
[0030] The vehicles 104 represent non-propulsion-generating
vehicles that do not generate tractive effort. For example, one or
more of the vehicles 104 may represent a rail car or another type
of vehicle that carries cargo and/or passengers while not
generating tractive effort. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicles 104
may interconnect the consists 110 and separate the consists 110
from each other.
[0031] One or more of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 may be
subject to special or different handling rules. These rules may be
special or different in that the rules may apply to one or more,
but not all, of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the
vehicle system 100. A rule may restrict the range of available
throttle settings that may be used to control the tractive output
(e.g., tractive effort, horsepower, power output, or the like) of
the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 subject to the rule when the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 travel over a feature of
interest in the route 108 that is associated with the rule. For
example, with respect to locomotives, a handling rule may restrict
the locomotives subject to the rule to operate using throttle
settings that are no greater than a throttle setting of four (out
of a total of eight throttle settings) when the locomotives travel
over a feature of interest associated with the rule. When the
locomotives are traveling outside of the feature of interest (e.g.,
not over or through the feature of interest), these same
locomotives may be allowed to operate using a greater range of
throttle settings (e.g., all eight throttle settings).
[0032] The handling rules may apply to only those
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the vehicle system 100 that
are a designated type or category of propulsion-generating vehicles
102. For example, the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 that are
powered by direct current that is supplied through a conductive
pathway extending along the route 108 (e.g., a catenary,
electrified rail, or the like) may be subject to a handling rule
that restricts the speed (and therefore throttle settings) that can
be used during travel through a feature of interest to avoid damage
to conductive brushes of the vehicles 102 through which the direct
current is conducted to the vehicles 102. Other
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the same vehicle system 100,
such as vehicles 102 powered by alternating current, may not be
subject to this same rule. For example, these other vehicles 102
may not be required to travel slower or using a smaller range of
throttle settings when traveling through the same feature of
interest because these vehicles 102 may not include the conductive
brushes that the DC-powered vehicles 102 do.
[0033] Similar handling rules may be applicable to vehicles 102
based on the type of motors included in the vehicles 102. For
example, different types of motors may need to be operated
differently (e.g., using different throttle settings) when
traveling over different features of interest in the route 108.
Similar handling rules may be applicable to vehicles 102 based on
the type of couplers 106 connected to the vehicles 102 or based on
one or more other features or characteristics of the vehicles
102.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the vehicle system
100 traveling on the route 108 toward a feature of interest 200.
The feature of interest 200 represents a location in or on the
route 108 where operations of one or more of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 are limited according to the
handling rule. The feature of interest 200 can represent a variety
of components, structures, and the like, of the route 108.
[0035] FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate some examples of features of
interest 300, 400, 500 that may be associated with one or more
handling rules. The feature of interest 200 shown in FIG. 2 may
represent one or more of the features of interest 300, 400,
500.
[0036] The feature of interest 300 shown in FIG. 3 represents an
intersection between the route 108 and another route 302. The
routes 108, 302 may be the same type of route, such as when both
routes 108, 302 represent tracks for rail vehicles. The routes 108,
302 are disposed at right angles with respect to each other and may
be referred to as an X-crossing. Optionally, the routes 108, 302
may be different routes, such as a track for rail vehicles and a
road for automobiles. Such a crossing between different routes may
be referred to as a grade crossing or road crossing.
[0037] The feature of interest 400 shown in FIG. 4 represents an
intersection between the route 108 and another route 402. The
feature of interest 400 may be similar to the feature of interest
300 with one difference being that the routes 108, 402 in the
feature of interest 400 may intersect at oblique, or
non-perpendicular, angles.
[0038] The feature of interest 500 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6
represents a moveable bridge, such as a draw bridge. The bridge is
shown in FIG. 5 in a lowered position where the vehicle system 100
may travel across. The bridge is shown in FIG. 6 in a raised
position where the vehicle system 100 may not travel across.
[0039] Operating the vehicle system 100 at too fast of a speed when
traveling across one or more of the features of interest 300, 400,
500 can damage one or more of the propulsion-generating vehicles
102. For example, operating at too large of a throttle setting when
crossing the features of interest 300, 400, 500 can damage brushes
of a propulsion-generating vehicle 102 that conducts electric
current to power the vehicle 102. Optionally, one or more other
components of the vehicle 102 may be damaged.
[0040] In a first mode of operation, when the vehicle system 100
includes one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102 having a
handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200, the
vehicle system 100 is automatically controlled such that the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the consists 110 are de-rated
while the consists 110 are traveling over a designated feature of
interest 200 in the route 108. The consists 110 may be de-rated by
limiting operation of these propulsion-generating vehicles 102 to a
designated first maximum throttle level that is less than a second
maximum throttle level that the propulsion-generating vehicles 102
are controlled to when the consists 110 are not traveling over the
feature of interest 200. The vehicle system 100 may be controlled
in this manner such that the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 are
de-rated for a time period that includes when the
non-propulsion-generating vehicles 104 disposed between the
consists 110 are traveling over the feature of interest 200. For
example, all of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in all of
the consists 110 de-rated for the entire time that the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 and the intervening
non-propulsion-generating vehicles 104A-C are moving over the
feature of interest 200. The intervening vehicles 104 between the
consists 110A and 110B include the vehicles 104A and 104B and the
intervening vehicles 104 between the consists 110B and 110C include
the vehicle 104C. Once the last consist 110C completes travel over
the feature of interest 200, the de-rating of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 may terminate such that the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 may be throttled back up. For
example, greater throttle settings may be used than is otherwise
allowed during travel over the feature of interest 200. The
de-rating of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 may begin when
the first consist 110A reaches the feature of interest 200 or is
within a designated, non-zero distance from the feature of interest
200 and continue until when the last consist 110C completes travel
over the feature of interest 200.
[0041] In a second mode of operation, when the vehicle system 100
includes one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102 having a
handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200, the
vehicle system 100 is automatically controlled such that all of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the consists 110 are de-rated
only when the consists 110 are actually traveling over the feature
of interest 200. For example, all of the propulsion-generating
vehicles 102A-F may be de-rated during the entire time period that
the consist 110A is traveling over the feature of interest 200,
during the entire time period that the consist 110B is traveling
over the feature of interest 200, and during the entire time period
that the consist 110C is traveling over the feature of interest
200, but not during the time periods when the
non-propulsion-generating vehicles 104 are traveling over the
feature of interest 200. All propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in
a consist 110 may be de-rated during travel of that consist 110
over the feature of interest 200, even if one or more of the
consists 110 do not include any vehicles 102 that are subject to
any handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200.
[0042] In a third mode of operation, when the vehicle system 100
includes one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102 having a
handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200, the
vehicle system 100 is automatically controlled such that all of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the consists 110 having at
least one of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 with the
handling rule are de-rated when those consists 110 are traveling
over the feature of interest 200. The propulsion-generating
vehicles 102 in the consists 110 that do not include a
propulsion-generating vehicle 102 having a handling rule are not
de-rated when those consists 110 travel over the feature of
interest 200. For example, if the propulsion-generating vehicle
102E has a handling rule associated with the feature of interest
200 but the remaining propulsion-generating vehicles 102A-D, 102F
do not, then the vehicle system 100 may be automatically controlled
to de-rate all of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102C-E in the
consist 110B when the consist 110B is traveling over the feature of
interest 200. The remaining propulsion-generating vehicles 102A,
102B, 102F are not de-rated when the consists 110A-C are traveling
over the feature of interest 200.
[0043] In a fourth mode of operation, the de-rating of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the vehicle system 100 is
automatically controlled on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis. For
example, instead of de-rating all of the vehicles 102 or all of the
vehicles 102 in one or more consists 110 when the consists 110
travel over the feature of interest 200, only those vehicles 102
having a handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200
are de-rated when those vehicles 102 travel over the feature of
interest 200.
[0044] The vehicle system 100 may switch between two or more of the
previously described modes of operation during a single trip
between a starting location and a destination location depending on
the type of feature of interest 200. For example, the vehicle
system 100 may operate according to the first mode of operation
when traveling over the feature of interest 300, according to the
second mode of operation when traveling over the feature of
interest 400, according to the third mode of operation when
traveling over the feature of interest 500, and/or according to the
fourth mode of operation when traveling over another feature of
interest.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
700 of controlling operations of a vehicle system. The method 700
may be used to control operations of the vehicle system 100 shown
in FIG. 1. The method 700 may represent one aspect of the first
mode of operation described above.
[0046] At 702, one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102
(shown in FIG. 1) in the vehicle system 100 that have handling
rules associated with a feature of interest 200 (shown in FIG. 2)
in the route 108 (shown in FIG. 1) are identified. For example, a
determination may be made as to which of the vehicles 102 are
subject to a handling rule that reduces the range of throttle
settings that may be used for the vehicles 102 during travel over
the feature of interest 200. The vehicles 102 that are identified
as being subject to the handling rule associated with an upcoming
feature of interest 200 may be referred to as "de-rating
vehicles."
[0047] At 704, the locations of two or more of the consists 110
(shown in FIG. 1) in the vehicle system 100 are determined. For
example, the location of the leading consist 110A (e.g., the first
consist 110 along the direction of travel 112 of the vehicle system
100) and the location of the last trailing consist 110C (e.g., the
last consist 110 along the direction of travel 112) may be
identified. The locations of these consists 110 may be used to
determine when to implement the handling rule and de-rate the
vehicles 102.
[0048] At 706, the location of one or more features of interest 200
associated with the handling rule imposed on the vehicle system 100
is determined. For example, the geographic locations of one or more
features of interest 200 associated with the handling rule may be
identified.
[0049] At 708, locations of the consists 110 along the route 108
are monitored as the vehicle system 100 travels along the route
108. These locations may be monitored to determine when the leading
consist 110 (e.g., the first consist 110A) is at or within a
designated distance from the feature of interest 200 along the
route 108.
[0050] At 710, a determination is made as to whether the first
consist 110A in the vehicle system 100 is at or within the
designated distance from the feature of interest 200. If the first
consist 100A is at or close to the feature of interest 200, then
operations of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 may need to be
automatically de-rated in order to ensure that the vehicles 102
subject to the handling rule are not operated at too great of
throttle settings during travel over the feature of interest 200.
As a result, flow of the method 700 may proceed to 712. Otherwise,
flow of the method 700 may proceed to 714.
[0051] At 712, operations of all the propulsion-generating vehicles
102 in all of the consists 110 of the vehicle system 100 are
de-rated. For example, the available range of throttle settings
that may be used to control the vehicles 102 in all of the consists
110 may be reduced once the first consist 110A is at or is close to
the feature of interest 200. The method 700 may return to 708 where
the location of the last consist 110C in the vehicle system 100 is
monitored. The method 700 may monitor the location of this consist
110C to determine when all of the consists 110 in the vehicle
system 100 have completed travel over the feature of interest 200.
Once this last consist 110C has completed travel over the feature
of interest 200 (e.g., determined at 710), then flow of the method
700 may proceed to 714.
[0052] At 714, the vehicle system 100 continues to travel along the
route 108. At 716, if the trip of the vehicle system 100 along the
route 108 has not been completed, the method 700 may return to 708
to continue monitoring the location of the consists 110 relative to
any upcoming features of interest 200. If the trip has been
completed, then the trip may terminate at 718.
[0053] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
800 of controlling operations of a vehicle system. The method 800
may be used to control operations of the vehicle system 100 shown
in FIG. 1. The method 800 may represent one aspect of the second
mode of operation of the vehicle system 100 described above.
[0054] At 802, one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102
(shown in FIG. 1) in the vehicle system 100 that have handling
rules associated with a feature of interest 200 (shown in FIG. 2)
in the route 108 (shown in FIG. 1) are identified. For example, a
determination may be made as to which of the vehicles 102 are
subject to a handling rule that reduces the range of throttle
settings that may be used for the vehicles 102 during travel over
the feature of interest 200.
[0055] At 804, the locations of the consists 110 (shown in FIG. 1)
in the vehicle system 100 that include any of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 are determined. For example, the
positions of the consists 110 in the vehicle system 100 are
determined, regardless of whether one or more of the consists 110
do not include any vehicles 102 that are subject to a handling rule
associated with the feature of interest 200.
[0056] At 806, the location of one or more features of interest 200
associated with the handling rule imposed on the vehicle system 100
is determined. For example, the geographic locations of one or more
features of interest 200 associated with the handling rule may be
identified.
[0057] At 808, locations of the consists 110 along the route 108
are monitored as the vehicle system 100 travels along the route
108. These locations may be monitored to determine when each of the
consists 110 is at or within a designated distance from the feature
of interest 200 along the route 108.
[0058] At 810, a determination is made as to whether any of the
consists 110 in the vehicle system 100 are at or within a
designated distance from the feature of interest 200. For example,
if the vehicle system 100 is first approaching the feature of
interest 200, the determination is made as to whether the first
consist 110A is approaching or is at the feature of interest 200.
If the first consist 110A already has passed over the feature of
interest 200, then the determination may be made as to whether the
second consist 110B is at or approaching the feature of interest
200, and so on.
[0059] If a consist 110 is approaching or at the feature of
interest 200, then the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in that
consist 110 may need to be de-rated to ensure compliance with the
handling rule, even if that consist 110 does not include any
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 that are subject to a handling
rule associated with the feature of interest 200. In some
circumstances, the exact location of the vehicle 102 having the
handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200 may not
be known. Therefore, all propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in a
consist 110 may be de-rated when that consist 110 travels over the
feature of interest 200 in an abundance of caution to prevent
violating the feature of interest 200.
[0060] If a consist 110 is approaching or at the feature of
interest 200, flow of the method 800 proceeds to 812. Otherwise, if
no consist 110 is at or approaching the feature of interest 200,
then flow of the method 800 proceeds to 816. For example, the
vehicle system 100 may still be relatively far from the feature of
interest 200 or one or more of the intervening
non-propulsion-generating vehicles 104 between the consists 110 may
currently be traveling over the feature of interest 200.
[0061] At 812, all of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the
consist 110 that is at or is traveling over the feature of interest
200 in the route 108 are de-rated. For example, the throttle
settings that may be used to control these vehicles 102 may be
reduced to a smaller range than would otherwise be used by the
vehicles 102 when the vehicles 102 are not de-rated. The
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the other consists 110 of the
vehicle system 100 that are not at or traveling over the feature of
interest 200 may not be de-rated. These vehicles 102 may continue
to operate using a larger range of throttle settings than the
vehicles 102 would be able to use when these vehicles 102 are
de-rated.
[0062] At 814, the de-rating of the propulsion-generating vehicles
102 in the consist 110 that traveled over the feature of interest
200 is terminated once that consist 110 completes travel over the
feature of interest 200. For example, when the last vehicle 102 in
the consist 110 that was traveling over the feature of interest 200
travels over and past the feature of interest 200, all of the
vehicles 102 in that consist 110 may return to operating using a
larger range of throttle settings relative to when those vehicles
102 were de-rated.
[0063] At 816, the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the
consists 110 of the vehicle system 100 are not de-rated during
travel of the non-propulsion-generating vehicles 104 over the
feature of interest 200. For example, during the time period when
intervening vehicles 104 disposed between the consists 110 travel
over the feature of interest 200, the propulsion-generating
vehicles 102 may operate using the larger range of throttle
settings (relative to the allowable range of throttle settings that
are used when these vehicles 102 are de-rated).
[0064] At 818, a determination is made as to whether all of the
consists 110 in the vehicle system 100 have completed travel over
the feature of interest 200. For example, if the last consist 110C
along the direction of travel 112 of the vehicle system 100 has
traveled over and past the feature of interest 200, then there are
no more consists 110 in the vehicle system 100 to travel over the
feature of interest 200. Accordingly, the propulsion-generating
vehicles 102 do not need to be de-rated for the feature of interest
200 that was just traveled over as all of these vehicles 102
already have traveled over the feature of interest 200. As a
result, flow of the method 800 may continue to 820.
[0065] On the other hand, if one or more additional consists 110 in
the vehicle system 100 have yet to travel over the feature of
interest 200, then the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in those
additional consists 110 may need to be de-rated during travel over
the feature of interest 200 to ensure compliance with the handling
rules that may apply to one or more of these vehicles 102. As a
result, flow of the method 800 returns to 808.
[0066] At 820, travel of the vehicle system 100 continues along the
route 108 until the trip of the vehicle system 100 is completed.
Optionally, if one or more additional features of interest 200 are
encountered, then the method 800 may be repeated.
[0067] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
900 of controlling operations of a vehicle system. The method 900
may be used to control operations of the vehicle system 100 shown
in FIG. 1. The method 900 may represent one aspect of the third
mode of operation of the vehicle system 100 described above.
[0068] At 902, one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102
(shown in FIG. 1) in the vehicle system 100 that have handling
rules associated with a feature of interest 200 (shown in FIG. 2)
in the route 108 (shown in FIG. 1) are identified. For example, a
determination may be made as to which of the vehicles 102 are
subject to a handling rule that reduces the range of throttle
settings that may be used for the vehicles 102 during travel over
the feature of interest 200.
[0069] At 904, a determination is made as to which consists 110
(shown in FIG. 1) of the vehicle system 100 include the identified
propulsion-generating vehicles 102. For example, the consists 110
that include one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102 having
a handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200 may be
identified.
[0070] At 906, the location of the consist(s) 110 in the vehicle
system 100 that includes the propulsion-generating vehicle 102
having the handling rule associated with the feature of interest
200 is determined. For example, the positions in the vehicle system
100 of the consists 110 having one or more of the vehicles 102 that
are subject to the handling rule are determined.
[0071] At 908, the location of one or more features of interest 200
associated with the handling rule imposed on the vehicle system 100
is determined. For example, the geographic locations of one or more
features of interest 200 associated with the handling rule may be
identified.
[0072] At 910, locations of the consists 110 having the identified
propulsion-generating vehicle(s) 102 are monitored as the vehicle
system 100 travels along the route 108. For example, for those
consists 110 that include one or more vehicles 102 subject to the
handling rule, the locations of those consists 110 along the route
108 are tracked. The locations of these consists 110 may be
monitored to determine when these consists 110 are at or within a
designated distance from the feature of interest 200 along the
route 108.
[0073] At 912, a determination is made as to whether a consist 110
having an identified propulsion-generating vehicle 102 is at or
within a designated distance from the feature of interest 200. For
example, if the consist 110B includes a vehicle 102 that is subject
to a handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200,
then a determination may be made as to whether the consist 110B is
at or approaching the feature of interest 200. In one aspect, this
determination may not be performed for consists 110 that do not
include any propulsion-generating vehicle 102 that is subject to a
handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200.
[0074] If the consist 110 having the identified
propulsion-generating vehicle 102 is at or approaching the feature
of interest 200, then the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in
that consist 110 may need to be de-rated to ensure compliance with
the handling rule, even if not all of the propulsion-generating
vehicles 102 in that consist 110 are subject to a handling rule
associated with the feature of interest 200. In some circumstances,
the exact location of the vehicle 102 having the handling rule in
the consist 110 may not be known. Therefore, all
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the consist 110 having at
least one vehicle 102 that is subject to the handling rule may be
de-rated when that consist 110 travels over the feature of interest
200. As shown in FIG. 9, if the consist 110 having the identified
vehicle 102 is approaching the feature of interest 200, flow of the
method 900 proceeds to 914.
[0075] On the other hand, if the consist 110 that is approaching
the feature of interest 200 does not include a
propulsion-generating vehicle 102 that is subject to the handling
rule, then the vehicles 102 in that consist 110 may not need to be
de-rated during travel over the feature of interest 200.
Accordingly, flow of the method 900 proceeds to 918.
[0076] At 914, the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the
consist 110 that is at or is traveling over the feature of interest
200 in the route 108 are de-rated. For example, for a consist 110
having at least one propulsion-generating vehicle 102 having a
handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200, all of
the vehicles 102 in that consist 110 may be de-rated during travel
of the consist 110 over the feature of interest 200.
[0077] At 916, the de-rating of the propulsion-generating vehicles
102 in the consist 110 that includes at least one vehicle 102
subject to the handling rule is terminated once that consist 110
completes travel over the feature of interest 200. For example,
when the last vehicle 102 in the consist 110 that was traveling
over the feature of interest 200 travels over and past the feature
of interest 200, all of the vehicles 102 in that consist 110 may
return to operating using a larger range of throttle settings
relative to when those vehicles 102 were de-rated.
[0078] At 918, the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the
consists 110 that do not include one or more vehicles 102 subject
to the handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200
travel over the feature of interest 200 without being de-rated. For
example, during the time period when these other consists 110
travel over the feature of interest 200, the propulsion-generating
vehicles 102 in those other consists 110 may operate using the
larger range of throttle settings (relative to the allowable range
of throttle settings for a de-rated vehicle 102).
[0079] At 920, a determination is made as to whether all of the
consists 110 in the vehicle system 100 have completed travel over
the feature of interest 200. For example, if the last consist 110C
along the direction of travel 112 of the vehicle system 100 has
traveled over and past the feature of interest 200, then there are
no more consists 110 in the vehicle system 100 to travel over the
feature of interest 200. As a result, flow of the method 900 may
continue to 922. On the other hand, if one or more additional
consists 110 in the vehicle system 100 have yet to travel over the
feature of interest 200, then flow of the method 900 may return to
910.
[0080] At 922, travel of the vehicle system 100 continues along the
route 108 until the trip of the vehicle system 100 is completed.
Optionally, if one or more additional features of interest 200 are
encountered, then the method 900 may be repeated.
[0081] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method
1000 of controlling operations of a vehicle system. The method 1000
may be used to control operations of the vehicle system 100 shown
in FIG. 1. The method 1000 may represent one aspect of the fourth
mode of operation of the vehicle system 100 described above.
[0082] At 1002, one or more propulsion-generating vehicles 102
(shown in FIG. 1) in the vehicle system 100 that have handling
rules associated with a feature of interest 200 (shown in FIG. 2)
in the route 108 (shown in FIG. 1) are identified. For example, a
determination may be made as to which of the vehicles 102 are
subject to a handling rule that reduces the range of throttle
settings that may be used for the vehicles 102 during travel over
the feature of interest 200.
[0083] At 1004, the locations of the identified
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the vehicle system 100 are
determined. For example, the positions (within the vehicle system
100) of the vehicles 102 that are subject to the handling rule are
determined.
[0084] At 1006, the location of one or more features of interest
200 associated with the handling rule imposed on the vehicle system
100 is determined. For example, the geographic locations of one or
more features of interest 200 associated with the handling rule may
be identified.
[0085] At 1008, locations of the identified propulsion-generating
vehicles 102 are monitored as the vehicle system 100 travels along
the route 108. For example, the locations of the vehicles 102
subject to the handling rule are tracked. The locations of these
identified vehicles 102 may be monitored to determine when the
identified vehicles 102 are at or within a designated distance from
the feature of interest 200 along the route 108.
[0086] At 1010, a determination is made as to whether an identified
vehicle 102 is at or within a designated distance from the feature
of interest 200. For example, if the vehicle 102C is subject to a
handling rule associated with the feature of interest 200, then a
determination may be made as to whether the vehicle 102C is at or
approaching the feature of interest 200. In one aspect, this
determination may not be performed for the vehicles 102 that are
not subject to a handling rule associated with the feature of
interest 200.
[0087] If the identified vehicle 102 is at or approaching the
feature of interest 200, then the identified vehicle 102 may need
to be de-rated to ensure compliance with the handling rule. As a
result, flow of the method 1000 can proceed to 1012.
[0088] On the other hand, if the vehicle 102 that is approaching
the feature of interest 200 is not subject to the handling rule,
then that vehicle 102 may not need to be de-rated during travel
over the feature of interest 200. Accordingly, flow of the method
1000 can proceed to 1016.
[0089] At 1012, the identified vehicle 102 that is at or is
traveling over the feature of interest 200 in the route 108 is
de-rated during the time period that the identified vehicle 102 is
traveling over the feature of interest 200. The other
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the vehicle system 100 may
not be de-rated during this same time period.
[0090] At 1014, the de-rating of the identified vehicle 102 is
terminated once that identified vehicle 102 completes travel over
the feature of interest 200. For example, when the identified
vehicle 102 travels over and past the feature of interest 200, the
identified vehicle may return to operating using a larger range of
throttle settings relative to when the identified vehicle 102 was
de-rated.
[0091] At 1016, the other propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the
vehicle system 100 that are not subject to the handling rule travel
over the feature of interest 200 without being de-rated. For
example, the method 1000 may de-rate individual ones of the
vehicles 102 that are subject to the handling rule during the time
period when those vehicles 102 are traveling over the feature of
interest 200 without de-rating other vehicles 102 during this same
time period.
[0092] At 1018, a determination is made as to whether all of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 in the vehicle system 100 that
are subject to the handling rule of the feature of interest 200
have completed travel over the feature of interest 200. For
example, if the last vehicle 102 along the direction of travel 112
of the vehicle system 100 that is subject to the handling rule has
traveled over and past the feature of interest 200, then there are
no more vehicles 102 in the vehicle system 100 to de-rate according
to the handling rule during over the feature of interest 200. As a
result, flow of the method 1000 may continue to 1020. On the other
hand, if one or more additional vehicles 102 that are subject to
the handling rule have yet to travel over the feature of interest
200, then flow of the method 1000 may return to 1008.
[0093] At 1020, travel of the vehicle system 100 continues along
the route 108 until the trip of the vehicle system 100 is
completed. Optionally, if one or more additional features of
interest 200 are encountered, then the method 1000 may be
repeated.
[0094] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
vehicle 1100. The vehicle 1100 may represent one or more of the
propulsion-generating vehicles 102 shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle 600
includes several components described below that may be coupled
with each other by one or more wired and/or wireless connections
(not shown), such as wireless networks, conductive paths, and the
like. The components may include or represent one or more
processors, controllers, or other logic based devices (and/or
associated hardware, circuitry, and/or software stored on a
tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium or memory).
The components shown in FIG. 11 may represent the hardware that
operates based on software or hardwired instructions, the software
that directs hardware to perform the operations, or a combination
thereof. One or more of the components shown in FIG. 11 may be
disposed off-board of the vehicle 1100. One or more of the
components shown in FIG. 11 may be used to perform the operations
described in connection with the methods described above.
[0095] The vehicle 1100 includes a location determining apparatus
1102 that determines locations of the vehicle 1100 as the vehicle
1100 travels along the route 108 (shown in FIG. 1). The location
determining apparatus 1102 may include or represent a global
positioning system (GPS) receiver (and associated hardware and/or
circuitry), a wireless cellular antenna (and associated hardware
and/or circuitry), or another wireless device that determines the
locations of the vehicle 1100 based on received wireless signals,
such as from GPS satellites, cellular phone towers, or the like.
Optionally, the location determining apparatus 1102 may interrogate
or be interrogated by a wayside device disposed alongside the route
108 (e.g., using RFID tags). The apparatus 1102 may determine the
location from information obtained during this interrogation. As
another example, the apparatus 1102 may determine the location of
the vehicle 1100 based on the speed of the vehicle 1100 (which may
be monitored by one or more speed sensors, such as tachometers) and
a time elapsed since the vehicle 1100 was at a known location along
the route 108.
[0096] A control apparatus 1104 controls operations of the vehicle
1100. The control apparatus 1104 may communicate with one or more
input devices 1106 and/or output devices 1108 in order to
communicate with an operator of the vehicle 1100. The control
apparatus 1104 may receive manually input commands to control the
tractive efforts and/or braking efforts generated by a propulsion
system 1110 of the vehicle 1100. The propulsion system 1110
represents one or more engines, motors, alternators, generators,
batteries, brakes, and the like, that generate the tractive efforts
and/or braking efforts of the vehicle 1100 as commanded and
controlled by the control apparatus 1104. The input device 1106 can
include a throttle that is manually manipulated by the operator to
change between different throttle settings to vary the amount of
tractive effort, power output, or the like, generated by the
propulsion system 1110.
[0097] Optionally, the control apparatus 1104 may automatically
control the tractive efforts (e.g., throttle settings) and/or brake
settings of the propulsion system 1110. For example, the control
apparatus 1104 may control the throttle and/or brake settings of
the vehicle 1100 according to designated operational settings of a
trip plan for the vehicle system 100. The trip plan may be
generated and/or modified by an off-board source (e.g., a dispatch
center that communicates the trip plan to the vehicle 1100) or by
an onboard energy management system 1112. Optionally, the energy
management system 1112 may be located off-board of the vehicle
1100. The energy management system 1112 may include or represent
one or more processors, controllers, or other logic based devices
(and/or associated hardware, circuitry, and/or software stored on a
tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium or memory)
that create and/or modify trip plans for the vehicle system 100
that includes the vehicle 1100. The trip plan may be based on a
variety of relevant information, such as the size (e.g., length
and/or weight) of the vehicle system 100, the distribution of size
(e.g., the distribution of weight) throughout the vehicle system
100, the contents of the vehicle system 100 (e.g., the number,
type, capabilities, locations, and the like, of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system 100), the
terrain (e.g., grades, curvatures, locations of tunnels, locations
of slow orders, speed limits, and the like) over which the vehicle
system 100 is to travel for the trip, the schedule by which the
vehicle system 100 is to travel according to for the trip, weather
conditions, types of fuel being used, emissions restrictions on
travel of the vehicle system 100, and/or other factors.
[0098] The trip plan created and/or modified by the energy
management system 1112 designates operational settings of the
vehicle system 100 for a trip. These operational settings may be
designated as a function of time and/or distance along the route
108 for the trip to one or more locations (e.g., one or more
intermediate or final locations). By way of example only, the
operational settings that may be designated include, but are not
limited to, speeds, accelerations, power outputs, throttle
settings, brake settings, applications of rail lubricants, forces
exerted on coupling mechanisms 106 (shown in FIG. 1), or the like.
An example trip plan may designate throttle settings, speeds, power
outputs, brake settings, or the like, to reduce at least one of
fuel consumed and/or emissions generated by the vehicle system 100
relative to the vehicle system 100 being operated according to
another trip plan or in another manner. The control apparatus 1104
may automatically control throttle and/or brake settings of the
vehicle system 100 in an attempt to match the actual operations
(e.g., speed, power output, and the like) with the designated
operational settings of the trip plan.
[0099] Optionally, the energy management system 1112 and/or the
control apparatus 1104 may instruct the operator how to manually
control operations of the vehicle 1100 and/or vehicle system 100
according to the trip plan. For example, the energy management
system 1112 and/or control apparatus 1104 may visually, audibly,
and/or tactically present instructions to an operator on how to
control the vehicle 1100 and/or vehicle system 100 according to the
trip plan via the one or more output devices 1108 (e.g., display
screens; touchscreens; speakers; tactically actuated levers,
buttons, switches, and the like).
[0100] A communication apparatus 1114 of the vehicle 1100
communicates with other vehicles in the vehicle system 100 and/or
other remote locations that are off-board the vehicle system 100.
The communication apparatus 1114 may include or represent an
antenna (along with associated transceiver hardware circuitry
and/or software applications) for wirelessly communicating with
other vehicles and/or remote locations. The communication apparatus
1114 may receive information representative of the locations of the
features of interest 200 (shown in FIG. 2) along the route 108, the
identification of handling rules applicable to the vehicle 1100
and/or one or more other vehicles in the vehicle system 100, the
reduced range of throttle settings that may be used when the
handling rules are applicable to de-rate one or more
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system 100,
identification of which handling rules apply to which
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system 100, and the
like.
[0101] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1114 is
communicatively coupled with one or more other vehicles in the same
vehicle system by one or more wired connections 1116. For example,
the communication apparatus 1114 may be coupled with a similar or
identical communication apparatus disposed onboard another
propulsion-generating vehicle in the same consist 110 as the
vehicle 1100 by a wired connection. The wired connection may
include a multiple unit (MU) cable, a trainline, an electrically
controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake line, and the like. The
communication apparatuses 1114 disposed onboard the different
propulsion-generating vehicles 1100 may communicate network data,
such as data that is communicated in data packets. The
communication apparatuses 1114 may communicate using high bandwidth
or high speed network data, such as by communicating data packets
at speeds of at least 256 Kbit/second, at least 500 Kbit/second, at
least 1,000 Kbit/second, and the like. Alternatively, the
communication apparatuses 1114 may communicate using different
speeds.
[0102] In one aspect, the communication apparatus 1114 communicates
with other vehicles to control the automatic de-rating and/or
automatic cessation of de-rating using one or more of the
communication technologies described in U.S. application Ser. No.
12/683,874, filed 7 Jan. 2010, and titled "System And Method For
Communicating Data In Locomotive Consist Or Other Vehicle Consist"
(referred to herein as the "'874 application"), the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. For example,
control instructions that direct one or more of the vehicles 1100
to automatically de-rate or cease de-rating may be communicated
between communication apparatuses 1114 on different vehicles 1100
as network data (e.g., data communicated in packet form) and/or
high bandwidth network data over the MU cable bus, as described in
the '874 application. Optionally, these types of control
instructions may be communicated between the vehicles 1100 as
distributed power (DP) control instructions when the vehicles 1100
are operating in a DP operating mode (e.g., where the operations of
the vehicles 1100 are coordinated with each other to produce a
total tractive effort, speed, braking effort, or the like, of the
vehicle system that includes the vehicles 1100).
[0103] The communication apparatuses 1114 disposed onboard
different propulsion-generating vehicles 1100 in the same consist
110 of the vehicle system 100 may communicate with each other to
coordinate when the various vehicles 1100 are de-rated during
travel over or through the feature of interest 200. For example, in
an embodiment where the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 are
de-rated on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis (e.g., as described above in
connection with the method 1000), the propulsion-generating
vehicles 102 in the same consist 110 may communicate with each
other using the communication apparatuses 1114 to control if and
when one or more of the propulsion-generating vehicles 102 are
de-rated during travel over the feature of interest 200.
[0104] An identification apparatus 1118 determines locations of
features of interest 200 in the route 108 and/or whether the
vehicle 1100 is subject to one or more handling rules associated
with features of interest 200 along the route 108 to be traveled by
the vehicle 1100 during an upcoming trip. Optionally, the
identification apparatus 1118 determines whether one or more
additional propulsion-generating vehicles in the same vehicle
system 100 as the vehicle 1100 are subject to any such handling
rules. The identification apparatus 1118 may include, represent,
and/or have access to a memory (e.g., a tangible and non-transitory
computer readable memory, such as a computer hard drive, EEPROM,
ROM, RAM, or the like), that has a table, list, database, or other
memory structure that identifies various handling rules, the
features of interest 200 with which the handling rules are
associated, and/or the propulsion-generating vehicles that are
subject to the handling rules. In one aspect, the identification
apparatus 1118 determines which features of interest 200 are in the
route 108 being traveled or to be traveled by the vehicle system
100 during a trip from information stored in the memory and/or from
information communicated to the identification apparatus 1118 from
a source that is off-board the vehicle 1100. Using this
information, the identification apparatus 1118 can identify which
propulsion-generating vehicles are subject to one or more handling
rules during the current or upcoming trip of the vehicle system
100, and/or how those handling rules restrict the operations (e.g.,
throttle settings) of the propulsion-generating vehicles when
traveling over or through the features of interest 200.
[0105] In order to de-rate the propulsion-generating vehicles that
are subject to the handling rules (as described above), the control
apparatus 1104 may prevent an operator from increasing the throttle
settings of the de-rated propulsion-generating vehicles above a
designated throttle setting or outside of a reduced range of
throttle settings associated with the handling rule. For example,
if an operator attempts to increase the throttle setting of a
de-rated propulsion-generating vehicle outside of the reduced range
of de-rated throttle settings, the control apparatus 1104 may
either prevent the increase in the throttle setting or only allow
the throttle setting to increase within the reduced range of
throttle settings associated with the handling rule. As another
example, if the control apparatus 1104 is automatically controlling
a de-rated propulsion-generating vehicle, the control apparatus
1104 may prevent the throttle settings of the de-rated vehicle from
increasing outside of the reduced range of throttle settings
designated by the handling rule. In one aspect, the control
apparatus 1104 may prevent the designated operational settings of a
trip plan from being implemented when the designated operational
settings would cause the throttle settings of a de-rated
propulsion-generating vehicle from exceeding the reduced range of
throttle settings associated with a handling rule. Additionally or
alternatively, the energy management system 1112 may create the
trip plan so that the designated operational settings of the trip
plan do not cause or direct a de-rated propulsion-generating
vehicle from operating at a throttle setting that exceeds the
reduced range of throttle settings associated with a handling
rule.
[0106] In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for controlling de-rating
of propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system) includes
identifying a feature of interest in a route to be traveled or
being traveled by a vehicle system having plural
propulsion-generating vehicles and identifying one or more of the
propulsion-generating vehicles as de-rating vehicles that are
subject to a handling rule associated with the feature of interest.
The handling rule dictates that throttle settings of the de-rating
vehicles are to be limited to a reduced range of throttle settings
when the de-rating vehicles travel over or through the feature of
interest in the route. The reduced range of throttle settings is a
smaller range of throttle settings that the de-rating vehicles are
permitted to use relative to a larger range of throttle settings
that the de-rating vehicles are permitted to use when traveling on
the route outside of the feature of interest. The method also
includes, operating the de-rating vehicles using the larger range
of throttle settings when the de-rating vehicles are traveling
along the route and outside of the feature of interest and,
responsive to at least one of the propulsion-generating vehicles in
the vehicle system at least one of approaching or traveling over
the feature of interest, automatically de-rating at least a subset
of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system by
operating the at least a subset of the propulsion-generating
vehicles using the smaller range of throttle settings during travel
over the feature of interest.
[0107] In an aspect, automatically de-rating the at least a subset
of the propulsion-generating vehicles terminates upon completion of
travel over the feature of interest in the route.
[0108] In an aspect, the feature of interest includes at least one
of a crossing between the route and at least an additional route or
a bridge along the route.
[0109] In an aspect, the propulsion-generating vehicles are
arranged in two or more consists in the vehicle system, and the
consists each includes at least one of the propulsion-generating
vehicles. The consists are separated from each other by one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system.
[0110] In an aspect, automatically de-rating the at least a subset
of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system
includes operating all of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the
vehicle system using the smaller range of throttle settings during
an entire time period that begins with a first consist along a
direction of travel of the vehicle system reaching the feature of
interest and that ends with a last consist along the direction of
travel passing the feature of interest.
[0111] In an aspect, for each of the consists, all of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the consist are de-rated during
an entire time period that the consist is traveling over the
feature of interest even if the consist is without any of the
de-rating vehicles that are subject to the handling rule associated
with the feature of interest, and none of the propulsion-generating
vehicles in the vehicle system are de-rated during times when the
one or more non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle
system are traveling over the feature of interest.
[0112] In an aspect, for each of the consists, all of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the consist are de-rated during
an entire time period that the consist is traveling over the
feature of interest only if the consist includes at least one of
the de-rating vehicles that is subject to the handling rule
associated with the feature of interest.
[0113] In an aspect, none of the propulsion-generating vehicles in
the vehicle system are de-rated during times when the one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are
traveling over the feature of interest.
[0114] In an aspect, each of the de-rating vehicles that is subject
to the handling rule is de-rated during an entire time period that
the de-rating vehicle travels over the feature of interest without
de-rating the propulsion-generating vehicles that are not subject
to the handling rule.
[0115] In an aspect, the propulsion-generating vehicles that are
not subject to the handling rule are operated using the larger
range of throttle settings during travel over the feature of
interest.
[0116] In an aspect, the vehicle system comprises one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles, and wherein none of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are de-rated
during times when the one or more non-propulsion-generating
vehicles in the vehicle system are traveling over the feature of
interest.
[0117] In an embodiment, a system (e.g., a control system) includes
an identification apparatus, a location determination apparatus,
and a control apparatus. The identification apparatus is configured
to determine which propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle
system having plural interconnected propulsion-generating vehicles
are de-rating vehicles that are subject to a handling rule
associated with a feature of interest in a route to be traveled or
being traveled by the vehicle system. The handling rule dictates
that throttle settings of the de-rating vehicles be limited to a
reduced range of throttle settings when the de-rating vehicles
travel over or through the feature of interest in the route. The
reduced range of throttle settings is a smaller range of throttle
settings that the de-rating vehicles are permitted to use relative
to a larger range of throttle settings that the de-rating vehicles
are permitted to use when traveling on the route outside of the
feature of interest. The location determination apparatus is
configured to determine when one or more of the
propulsion-generating vehicles are at least one of approaching or
at the feature of interest. The control apparatus is configured to
operate the de-rating vehicles using the larger range of throttle
settings when the de-rating vehicles are traveling along the route
and outside of the feature of interest. The control apparatus also
is configured to automatically de-rate at least a subset of the
propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system by operating
the propulsion-generating vehicles in the at least a subset using
the smaller range of throttle settings during travel over the
feature of interest.
[0118] In an aspect, the control apparatus is configured to
automatically terminate de-rating of the at least a subset of the
propulsion-generating vehicles upon completion of travel over the
feature of interest in the route.
[0119] In an aspect, the feature of interest includes at least one
of a crossing between the route and at least an additional route or
a bridge along the route.
[0120] In an aspect, the propulsion-generating vehicles are
arranged in two or more consists in the vehicle system and the
consists each includes at least one of the propulsion-generating
vehicles. The consists are separated from each other by one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system.
[0121] In an aspect, the control apparatus is configured to control
all of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system
using the smaller range of throttle settings during an entire time
period that begins with a first consist along a direction of travel
of the vehicle system reaching the feature of interest and that
ends with a last consist along the direction of travel passing the
feature of interest.
[0122] In an aspect, for each of the consists, the control
apparatus is configured to de-rate all of the propulsion-generating
vehicles in the consist during an entire time period that the
consist is traveling over the feature of interest even if the
consist is without any of the de-rating vehicles that are subject
to the handling rule associated with the feature of interest, and
none of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system
are de-rated during times when the one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are
traveling over the feature of interest.
[0123] In an aspect, for each of the consists, the control
apparatus is configured to de-rate all of the propulsion-generating
vehicles in the consist during an entire time period that the
consist is traveling over the feature of interest only if the
consist includes at least one of the de-rating vehicles that is
subject to the handling rule associated with the feature of
interest.
[0124] In an aspect, the control apparatus is configured to de-rate
none of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system
during times when the one or more non-propulsion-generating
vehicles in the vehicle system are traveling over the feature of
interest.
[0125] In an aspect, the control apparatus is configured to de-rate
each of the de-rating vehicles that is subject to the handling rule
during an entire time period that the de-rating vehicle travels
over the feature of interest without de-rating the
propulsion-generating vehicles that are not subject to the handling
rule.
[0126] In an aspect, the control apparatus is configured to control
the propulsion-generating vehicles that are not subject to the
handling rule using the larger range of throttle settings during
travel over the feature of interest.
[0127] In an aspect, the vehicle system comprises one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles and the control apparatus is
configured to de-rate none of the propulsion-generating vehicles in
the vehicle system during times when the one or more
non-propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system are
traveling over the feature of interest.
[0128] In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for controlling de-rating
of a vehicle consist) includes automatically controlling throttle
settings of a rail vehicle consist as the rail vehicle consist
travels along a track. The rail vehicle consist has a lead vehicle
consist and at least one remote vehicle consist that each include
one or more propulsion-generating rail vehicles and that are
connected with each other by one or more non-propulsion-generating
rail vehicles disposed between the lead vehicle consist and the at
least one remote vehicle consist. The method also includes
de-rating the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the
lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist
while the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle
consist are traveling over a designated track feature. The
propulsion-generating rail vehicles are de-rated by limiting the
throttle settings of the propulsion-generating rail vehicles to a
designated first maximum throttle level that is less than a second
maximum throttle level that the propulsion-generating rail vehicles
are controlled to when not traveling over the designated track
feature. The method further includes de-rating the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist while the one
or more non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over
the designated track feature but not de-rating the
propulsion-generating vehicles in each of the lead vehicle consist
and the at least one remote vehicle consist after a last of the at
least one remote vehicle consist, in a direction of travel of the
rail vehicle consist, has passed over the designated track
feature.
[0129] In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for controlling de-rating
of a vehicle consist) includes automatically controlling throttle
settings of a rail vehicle consist as the rail vehicle consist
travels along a track. The rail vehicle consist has a lead vehicle
consist and at least one remote vehicle consist that each include
one or more propulsion-generating rail vehicles and that are
connected with each other by one or more non-propulsion-generating
rail vehicles disposed between the lead vehicle consist and the at
least one remote vehicle consist. Automatically controlling the
throttle settings of the rail vehicle consist comprises automatic
operation of the rail vehicle consist in at least one of a first,
second, third, or fourth mode of operation. The first mode of
operation involves the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each
of the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote vehicle
consist being automatically de-rated while the lead vehicle consist
and the at least one remote vehicle consist are traveling over a
designated track feature. The propulsion-generating rail vehicles
are de-rated by limiting the throttle settings of the
propulsion-generating rail vehicles to a designated first maximum
throttle level that is less than a second maximum throttle level
that the propulsion-generating rail vehicles are controlled to when
not traveling over the designated track feature. The
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist are
automatically de-rated while the one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over the
designated track feature. The second mode of operation involves all
the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in each of the lead vehicle
consist and the at least one remote vehicle consist being
automatically de-rated only while the lead vehicle consist and the
at least one remote vehicle consist are traveling over the
designated track feature but not while the one or more
non-propulsion-generating rail vehicles are traveling over the
designated track feature. The third mode of operation involves, for
each of the lead vehicle consist and the at least one remote
vehicle consist, all the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the
consist being automatically de-rated but only if at least one of
the propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the consist is
designated for operation at no more than the designated first
maximum throttle level when traveling over the designated track
feature. The fourth mode of operation involves, while the vehicle
consist is traveling over the designated track feature, only those
propulsion-generating rail vehicles in the consist that are
designated for operation at no more than the designated first
maximum throttle level when traveling over the designated track
feature being automatically de-rated.
[0130] In any of the embodiments herein: (i) the lowest throttle
setting of a reduced range of throttle settings may be greater than
power-off or idle; (ii) in the case of a designated first maximum
throttle level that is less than a second maximum throttle level,
the designated first maximum throttle level may be greater than a
power-off or idle throttle level; (iii) a feature of interest
and/or a designated track feature is a location or length of route
that a rail vehicle consist or other vehicle system traverses at a
non-zero velocity; and/or (iv) references to a particular class or
segmentation/grouping of consist or vehicle, in the context of a
larger consist or vehicle system, may refer to only some of such
particular class or segmentation of consist or vehicle, or each and
every one of such particular class or segmentation.
[0131] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the inventive subject matter without departing from its scope.
While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are
intended to define the parameters of the inventive subject matter,
they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many
other embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the
inventive subject matter should, therefore, be determined with
reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended
claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the
plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and
"wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first,"
"second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not
intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in
means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted
based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph, unless and until
such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for"
followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
[0132] This written description uses examples to disclose several
embodiments of the inventive subject matter and also to enable a
person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of
the inventive subject matter, including making and using any
devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The
patentable scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be
within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements
that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if
they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial
differences from the literal languages of the claims.
[0133] The foregoing description of certain embodiments of the
inventive subject matter will be better understood when read in
conjunction with the appended drawings. To the extent that the
figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various
embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative
of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one
or more of the functional blocks (for example, processors or
memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (for
example, a general purpose signal processor, microcontroller,
random access memory, hard disk, and the like). Similarly, the
programs may be stand-alone programs, may be incorporated as
subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an
installed software package, and the like. The various embodiments
are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in
the drawings.
[0134] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular
and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not
excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion
is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment"
of the inventive subject matter are not intended to be interpreted
as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also
incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly
stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising," "including," or
"having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular
property may include additional such elements not having that
property.
[0135] Since certain changes may be made in the above-described
systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of
the inventive subject matter herein involved, it is intended that
all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples
illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be
construed as limiting the inventive subject matter.
* * * * *