B61L15/0054

QUASI-MOVING BLOCK SYSTEM OF TRAIN CONTROL

A system of train control uses a quasi-moving block methodology for controlling operation of a plurality of trains from a remote office. The office parses the route information for each train into non-overlapping movement authorities that are issued via a communications network. As each train proceeds, it communicates with the office to automatically roll up its movement authority and release the portion of the movement authority behind the train. The office then extends the movement authority of the subsequent train to reflect the released portion of the movement authority of the leading train. The track can be divided into a series of track circuits to enable detection of broken rail or unexpected occupancy. The office segment can then control operation of trains accordingly if broken rail or unexpected occupancy is detected in the train's movement authority.

Vehicle communication system, control system and method

A vehicle control system includes a controller that communicates between a first vehicle and a second vehicle and/or a monitoring device in a vehicle system. The controller determines a communication loss and, responsive to determining the communication loss, switches to communicating via a different communication path. The controller also determines an operational restriction on movement of the vehicle system based on the communication loss that is determined, obtains a transitional plan that designates operational settings of the vehicle system at one or more different locations along a route being traveled by the vehicle system, different distances along the route being traveled by the vehicle system, and/or different times. The controller automatically changes the movement of the vehicle system according to the operational settings designated by the transitional plan to reduce the movement of the vehicle system to or below the operational restriction.

TRAIN INTEGRITY DETECTION SYSTEM BASED ON BEIDOU SHORT MESSAGE COMMUNICATION

The invention relates to a train integrity detection system based on Beidou short message communication, which comprises a vehicle-mounted ATP host, a train rear device and a ground RBC device, wherein the vehicle-mounted ATP host communicates with both the train rear device and the ground RBC device, the vehicle-mounted ATP host and the train rear device each comprise a main control unit, and a wind pressure detection module, a wireless communication module, a speed measurement module and a satellite positioning module which are connected with the main control unit, and the vehicle-mounted ATP host and the train rear device also each comprise a Beidou short message communication module connected with the main control unit. Compared with the prior art, the invention has the advantages of strong communication jamming resistance and short response time.

Vehicle motion sensing system

A device for attachment to a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car in a track network having a plurality of tracks is disclosed. The device may include at least one sensor. The sensor(s) may be disposed with the rear car. The sensor(s) may be configured to generate sensor data associated with at least one of a heading of the rear car of the train or a distance between the rear car of the train and an object in the track network. A communication interface may be configured to transmit the sensor data to at least one receiver. The receiver(s) may provide at least one indication based on the sensor data. A device for use onboard the train, a control system, a method for operating the device(s), and a method for coupling the train to a separate car are also disclosed.

Attachment mounting apparatus for a railroad coupler
11724722 · 2023-08-15 · ·

An apparatus for mounting an attachment structure (such as an EOT) to a railroad coupler includes a base, a locking member (J-hook), a bolt and one or more spring elements. The base includes a mounting portion for the attachment structure and a sleeve insertable through the attachment structure. The base, the J-hook and the bolt cooperate such that the J-hook is rotated from an unlocked position to a locked position by torque applied via the bolt head. Consequently, the J-hook shaft is pulled inside the sleeve and the J-hook aligns with a clamp face of the base to clamp a portion of the coupler therebetween. Responsive to the applied torque, the one or more spring elements are compressed to allow mechanical engagement between a first surface and a second surface, producing a mechanical torque opposing the applied torque, which reduces axial forces on the J-hook.

END OF TRAIN DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED ANTENNA

A device adapted for attachment to a coupler of a trailing railcar of a train includes an enclosure defining an internal compartment, a port adapted for connection to an air brake hose receiving air from a brake pipe of the train, a handle extending from the enclosure, a communication device disposed within the internal compartment of the enclosure, and at least one antenna connected to the communication device and extending at least partially through the internal compartment of the enclosure and into an internal cavity of the handle.

Control method for supporting dynamic coupling and uncoupling of train
11767043 · 2023-09-26 · ·

A control method for supporting dynamic coupling and uncoupling of a train includes: step A, acquiring stored coupling status information during an initialization phase; step B, loading an off-line configuration of a corresponding composition according to the stored coupling status; step C, collecting three sets of input signals related to the coupling; step D, determining whether a train coupling status is proper according to the collected signals, then turning to step E if yes and turning to step F if no; step E, determining whether a current coupling status is consistent with the off-line configuration used in step B, then performing step H if yes and performing step G if no; step F, requesting emergency braking, and reporting an alarming error; step G, requesting emergency braking, re-writing coupling status information with codes after determining that the train is stationary, and then turning to step A for re-initialization.

System and method for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path
11169269 · 2021-11-09 · ·

An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.

System and method for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path
11782160 · 2023-10-10 · ·

An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The LiDAR sensors are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.

COMMUNICATION NETWORK ARCHITECTURE FOR TRAINS
20210339778 · 2021-11-04 ·

A communication architecture of a train in which at least one central processing unit arranged in a train carriage is interconnected through a communication network of the train with a plurality of peripheral processing units. The central processing unit is provided on a single board with: a processor designed to process data associated with an SIL 0 safety level; a coprocessor designed to process data associated with an SIL 1-SIL 2 safety level; an internal bus built on the board and configured to allow a two-way data communication between the processor and the coprocessor; an interface for the communication network of the train. The coprocessor is designed to be programmed in a reconfigurable manner with a software that allows the validation and encoding of data coming from the processor according to a safety protocol.