U.S. patent application number 16/778529 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-05 for ultra-wideband work train protection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Siemens Mobility, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruno Fiquet.
Application Number | 20210237784 16/778529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004670170 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210237784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fiquet; Bruno |
August 5, 2021 |
ULTRA-WIDEBAND WORK TRAIN PROTECTION
Abstract
Systems for protecting a work train using an ultra-wideband
(UWB) ranging system are disclosed. Aspects include a plurality of
UWB wayside beacons disposed along a track, each of the plurality
of UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon
identification number. Aspects also include an onboard UWB control
system disposed on a work train, the onboard UWB control system
having a processing system in communication with radio-frequency
communication device and an onboard UWB beacon. The onboard UWB
beacon is configured to receive the unique beacon identification
number from at least one of the plurality of UWB wayside beacons.
The processing system is configured to determine a position of the
work train on the track based upon known locations of the plurality
of UWB wayside beacons, to transmit this position to a wayside Zone
Controller, and to enforce a movement authority limit provided by
the wayside zone controller.
Inventors: |
Fiquet; Bruno; (Hoboken,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Siemens Mobility, Inc. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004670170 |
Appl. No.: |
16/778529 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L 27/0038 20130101;
B61L 3/126 20130101; B61L 25/04 20130101; B61L 3/125 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61L 3/12 20060101
B61L003/12; B61L 27/00 20060101 B61L027/00; B61L 25/04 20060101
B61L025/04 |
Claims
1. A system for protecting work trains, the system comprising: a
plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) wayside beacons disposed along a
track, each of the plurality of UWB beacons configured to broadcast
a unique beacon identification number; a onboard UWB control system
disposed on a work train, the onboard UWB control system having a
processing system in communication with radio-frequency (RF)
communication device and an onboard UWB beacon, wherein the onboard
UWB beacon is configured to receive the unique beacon
identification number from at least one of the plurality of UWB
wayside beacons, and wherein the processing system is configured to
determine a position of the work train on the track based upon
known locations of the at least one of the plurality of UWB wayside
beacons.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further
configured to transmit, via the RF communications device, the
position of the work train on the track to a zone controller.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processing system is further
configured to receive, via the RF communications device, a movement
authority limit from the zone controller.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard UWB control system is
a portable device that is not affixed to the work train.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard UWB control system is
affixed to the work train and is in communication with a braking
system of the work train.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wayside vital track
vacancy detection system in communication with a zone controller,
wherein the zone controller tracks a presence of a work train based
on the track vacancy detection system.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing system is
configured to obtain the known locations of the at least one of the
plurality of UWB wayside beacons from a database stored on the
onboard UWB control system.
8. A method for protecting a work train using ultra-wideband (UWB)
beacons, the method comprising: receiving, by an onboard UWB beacon
disposed on the work train, unique beacon identification numbers
transmitted by one or more wayside UWB beacons; obtaining, by
control unit disposed on the work train, a location of the one or
more wayside UWB beacons; determining, by the control unit, a
location of the work train based at least in part on the location
of the one or more wayside UWB beacons; and transmitting, by the
control unit, the location of the work train to a zone
controller.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the location of the one or more
wayside UWB beacons is obtained from a database stored in a memory
of the control unit.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving, by the
control unit, a movement authority limit from the zone
controller.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising enforcing, by the
control unit, the movement authority limit by monitoring a change
in the location of the work train and by responsively engaging a
braking system of the work train.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit and the onboard
UWB beacon are part of an onboard UWB control system that is
removably affixed to the work train.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein onboard UWB control system
further includes a radio datalink that is configured to communicate
with the zone controller.
14. A system for protecting work trains, the system comprising: a
plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) wayside beacons disposed along a
track, each of the plurality of UWB beacons configured to broadcast
a unique beacon identification number; a work train disposed on the
track, the work train having an onboard UWB control system, the
onboard UWB control system comprising: a control unit; a
radio-frequency (RF) communication device in communication with the
control unit; an onboard UWB beacon in communication with the
control unit, wherein the onboard UWB beacon is configured to
receive the unique beacon identification number from one or more of
the plurality of UWB wayside beacons and wherein the control unit
is configured to determine a position of the work train on the
track based upon known locations of the one or more UWB wayside
beacons; and a zone controller configured to track a presence of
the work train on the track using a vital track vacancy detection
system disposed on the track.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control unit is further
configured to transmit, via the RF communications device, the
position of the work train on the track to the zone controller.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the zone controller is further
configured to provide a movement authority limit to the control
unit.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the onboard UWB control system
is a portable device that is not affixed to the work train.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the onboard UWB control system
is affixed to the work train and is in communication with a braking
system of the work train.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the control unit includes a
memory having a database of known locations for each of the
plurality of UWB wayside beacons.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention generally relates to work train
protection systems, and more specifically, to an ultra-wideband
(UWB) based work train protection system.
[0002] A work train is a is train having one or more train cars
that are configured for non-revenue use by the railroad's operator.
For example, work trains are often configured to provide track
maintenance, maintenance of way, system cleanup, hauling, and the
like. Equipping work trains with a fully functional onboard train
control system such as communication-based train control (CBTC) is
very expensive. In addition, installing under-car components such
as transponder/tag reader, wheel speed sensor, doppler radar, etc.
is not practical and often not mechanically possible. As a result,
work trains are usually not equipped with any train control system.
Having work trains without train control systems operating on the
tracks can lead to safety issues and can negatively impact the
operations on a track where most of the conventional signaling
devices (e.g. signals or trip stops) have been eliminated.
SUMMARY
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention are directed by a
system for protecting work trains using an ultra-wideband ranging
system. The system includes a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB)
wayside beacons disposed along a track, each of the plurality of
UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification
number. The system also includes a onboard UWB control system
disposed on a work train, the onboard UWB control system having a
processing system in communication with radio-frequency (RF)
communication device and an onboard UWB beacon, wherein the onboard
UWB beacon is configured to receive the unique beacon
identification number from at least one of the plurality of UWB
wayside beacons. The processing system is configured to determine a
position of the work train on the track based upon known locations
of the at least one of the plurality of UWB wayside beacons.
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention are directed by a
method for protecting work trains using an ultra-wideband ranging
system. An example of the method includes receiving, by an onboard
UWB beacon disposed on the work train, unique beacon identification
numbers transmitted by one or more wayside UWB beacons. The method
also includes obtaining, by control unit disposed on the work
train, a location of the one or more wayside UWB beacons and
determining, by the control unit, a location of the work train
based at least in part on the location of the one or more wayside
UWB beacons. The method further includes transmitting, by the
control unit, the location of the work train to a zone
controller.
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention are directed by a
system for protecting work trains using an ultra-wideband ranging
system. The system includes a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB)
wayside beacons disposed along a track, each of the plurality of
UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification
number. The system also includes a work train disposed on the
track, the work train having an onboard UWB control system. The
onboard UWB control system including a control unit, a
radio-frequency (RF) communication device in communication with the
control unit, and an onboard UWB beacon in communication with the
control unit, wherein the onboard UWB beacon is configured to
receive the unique beacon identification number from one or more of
the plurality of UWB wayside beacons and wherein the control unit
is configured to determine a position of the work train on the
track based upon known locations of the one or more UWB wayside
beacons. The system also includes a zone controller configured to
track a presence of the work train on the track using a vital track
vacancy detection system disposed on the track.
[0006] Additional technical features and benefits are realized
through the techniques of the present invention. Embodiments and
aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are
considered a part of the claimed subject matter. For a better
understanding, refer to the detailed description and to the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The specifics of the exclusive rights described herein are
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention are
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a work train for use
in an ultra-wideband protection system according to one or more
embodiments described herein;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of an ultra-wideband
protection system for work trains according to one or more
embodiments described herein; and
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a method for protecting
work trains using ultra-wideband beacons according to one or more
embodiments described herein.
[0011] The diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There can be
many variations to the diagrams or the operations described therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Turning now to an overview of the aspects of the invention,
one or more embodiments of the invention address the
above-described shortcomings of the prior art by providing an
ultra-wideband (UWB) based protection system for work trains using
wayside UWB beacons. In exemplary embodiments, a work train is
equipped with an onboard UWB based control system that provides a
valuable level of protection without the challenges of implementing
standard CBTC equipment. In one embodiment, the onboard UWB control
system is configured to be removably affixed to the work train and
can be moved from one work train to another.
[0013] In exemplary embodiments, a plurality of wayside UWB beacons
are disposed along a train track in known locations and the onboard
UWB control system is configured to use UWB ranging to determine
the position of the work train relative to the wayside UWB beacons.
The onboard UWB control system is used to control the movement of
the work-train based on information received from a zone
controller, which is configured to manage the portion of the train
track that the work train is located on.
[0014] In general, UWB beacons are well known in the art.
Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a radio frequency communication technology
that uses a very low energy level for short-range, high-bandwidth
communications over a large portion of the radio spectrum, i.e.,
greater than five-hundred MHz. UWB is well-suited for use in
real-time location systems and has been used in precision
radar-imaging technology, precision locating and tracking (using
distance measurements between radios--often referred to as UWB
ranging), and precision time-of-arrival-based localization
approaches. In exemplary embodiments, the effective range of a UWB
beacon in the UWB ranging system is approximately 300-500 m.
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, a work train 100 for use in an
ultra-wideband protection system according to one or more
embodiments is shown. As illustrated, the work train 100 includes
an onboard UWB control system 110. In exemplary embodiments, the
onboard UWB control system 110 includes an onboard UWB beacon 112,
a radio datalink 116 and a display 118 in communication with a
control unit 114. The control unit 114 is a processing system and
includes one or more processing units, memory, and communications
interfaces. The control unit 114 is configured to utilize the
onboard UWB beacon 112 to communicate with wayside UWB beacons. The
memory of the control unit 114 includes a database that contains a
location and identification number of all of the wayside UWB
beacons. The control unit 114 is configured to determine the
position of the work train 100 relative to the wayside UWB beacons
using UWB ranging. In exemplary embodiments, the control unit 114
is configured to communicate with a zone controller via the radio
datalink 116. The control unit 114 controls the movement of the
work-train based on information received from the zone controller,
which may provide a movement authority limit, a speed limit,
etc.
[0016] In one embodiment, the onboard UWB control system 110
includes a display 118 for use by the operator of the work train.
In another embodiment, the onboard UWB control system 110 is
configured to communicate with a display 120 that is a part of the
work train 100. The displays 118 and 120 are configured to display
operational information regarding the work train 100 such as the
position of the work train 100 on the track, the current speed of
the work train 100, an approved speed of the work train 100, and
the like. In one embodiment, the onboard UWB control system 110 is
configured to communicate with a braking system 122 of the work
train 100.
[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the onboard UWB control system 110
can be installed permanently on a work train, or can be packaged as
a piece of portable equipment, for instance in a suitcase, for more
flexible use. When used as a portable solution, a worst-case
default configuration (brake rate, train length, etc) can be used.
This default configuration can be manually adjusted for the
specific temporary application to improve performance.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of an
ultra-wideband protection system 200 for work trains according to
one or more embodiments is shown. As illustrated, the system 200
includes a plurality of wayside UWB 202, disposed along a train
track 214. Each of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons 202 are
located close enough from each other and from the train track 214,
such that two wayside UWB beacons 202 are nominally within
communications range of an onboard UWB beacon mounted on a work
train 210.
[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the work train 210 is configured
to utilize wayside radio datalink equipment 212 and wayside
communication network (WCN) access points 206 to communicate with a
WCN 216. The WCN 216 includes a zone controller 218 that is
configured to, among other things, track the presence and location
of work trains 210 on the train track 214 within a geographical
zone. The work train 210, or other work equipment, is tracked by
the zone controller 218 based on the reported position of the work
train 210.
[0020] The work train 210 utilizes UWB ranging to determine its
position on the track and to report its determined position to the
zone controller 218. In exemplary embodiments, the locations of
each of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons 202 are known by the
onboard UWB control system on the work train 210. In exemplary
embodiments, various known UWB ranging techniques can be used by
the onboard UWB control system to calculate the position of the
work train 210 relative to the wayside UWB beacons 202. In
exemplary embodiments, the position of the beginning and end of the
work train 210 and the speed of the work train 210 are also
calculated by the onboard UWB control system based on the received
UWB ranging data.
[0021] In exemplary embodiments, the tracking of trains and
equipment is not based exclusively on the UWB beacons and UWB
ranging because the UWB beacon system cannot detect a train or
equipment which is not equipped with UWB beacons or which UWB
beacons are failed and not emitting. As a result, embodiments
include a wayside based train tracking system providing fail safe
track occupancy status to the zone controller. In exemplary
embodiments, the track vacancy detection equipment 204 is part of a
wayside vital track vacancy detection system that is connected to
an object controller 208, which is configured to communicate with
the zone controller 218 via the WCN 216. The track vacancy
detection equipment 204 includes track-circuits, an axle counting
system, or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the zone controller
218 will not track the work train 210 based on its provided
localization, as this localization has not been established vitally
and could be erroneous. Instead, the zone controller 218 will track
the work train as any non-CBTC equipped train, based on the track
vacancy detection equipment 204 system which is vital. In exemplary
embodiments, the zone controller 218 is configured to track the
presence of a work train 210 as non-CBTC trains, while providing
work trains 210 with a movement authority limit, based on the
reported position of the work trains 210.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart diagram of a method for
work train protection using ultra-wideband beacons in accordance
with one or more embodiments is shown. As shown at block 302, the
method includes receiving, by an onboard UWB beacon disposed on the
work train, unique beacon identification numbers transmitted by one
or more UWB beacons. Next, as shown at block 304, the method
includes obtaining, by control unit disposed on the work train, a
location of the wayside UWB beacons. In exemplary embodiments, the
location of the wayside UWB beacons is obtained from a database
stored in a memory of the control unit. The method further includes
determining, by the control unit, a location of the work train on
the location of the wayside UWB beacons, as shown at block 306.
[0023] In exemplary embodiments, the control unit and the onboard
UWB beacon are part of an onboard UWB control system that is
removably affixed to the work train and the onboard UWB control
system further includes a radio datalink that is configured to
communicate with a zone controller. As shown at block 308, the
method also includes transmitting, by the control unit, the
location of the work train to the zone controller. The zone
controller is configured to provide the onboard UWB control system
with a movement authority limit. The onboard UWB control system
responsively controls the operation of the work train to enforce
the movement authority limit. In one embodiment, the control unit
enforces the movement authority limit by monitoring a change in the
location of the work train and by responsively engaging a braking
system of the work train.
[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the UWB based work train
protection system presents a cost reasonable and practical way to
equip work trains with a simplified train control system. The UWB
based work train protection system provides safeguards against
potentially dangerous train operator errors, eliminates the need
for a complex conventional signaling system to be installed on the
wayside in addition to an advanced train control system such as
CBTC, thereby reducing significantly implementation and maintenance
costs, and increasing reliability.
[0025] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product at any possible technical detail level of
integration. The computer program product may include a computer
readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program
instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects
of the present invention.
[0026] Various embodiments of the invention are described herein
with reference to the related drawings. Alternative embodiments of
the invention can be devised without departing from the scope of
this invention. Various connections and positional relationships
(e.g., over, below, adjacent, etc.) are set forth between elements
in the following description and in the drawings. These connections
and/or positional relationships, unless specified otherwise, can be
direct or indirect, and the present invention is not intended to be
limiting in this respect. Accordingly, a coupling of entities can
refer to either a direct or an indirect coupling, and a positional
relationship between entities can be a direct or indirect
positional relationship. Moreover, the various tasks and process
steps described herein can be incorporated into a more
comprehensive procedure or process having additional steps or
functionality not described in detail herein.
[0027] The following definitions and abbreviations are to be used
for the interpretation of the claims and the specification. As used
herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes,"
"including," "has," "having," "contains" or "containing," or any
other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion. For example, a composition, a mixture, process, method,
article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to only those elements but can include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition,
mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0028] Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment
or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or
designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" may be
understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to
one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms "a plurality" may
be understood to include any integer number greater than or equal
to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connection" may
include both an indirect "connection" and a direct
"connection."
[0029] The terms "about," "substantially," "approximately," and
variations thereof, are intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For
example, "about" can include a range of .+-.8% or 5%, or 2% of a
given value.
[0030] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to
making and using aspects of the invention may or may not be
described in detail herein. In particular, various aspects of
computing systems and specific computer programs to implement the
various technical features described herein are well known.
Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, many conventional
implementation details are only mentioned briefly herein or are
omitted entirely without providing the well-known system and/or
process details.
[0031] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0032] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0033] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the
embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement
over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments described
herein.
* * * * *