Distributed train intelligence system and method

摘要

A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system, a transceiver for communication between the locomotives, and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command.

主权项

1. A processor analyzing operation of a locomotive included on a train, the processor being configured to:
receive sensed operation conditions on the locomotive from at least one sensor on the locomotive; communicate information including the sensed operational conditions to another locomotive included in the train; determine a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and information received from the another locomotive included in the train; and output the propulsion or braking value or command to propulsion and/or braking equipment on the locomotive, wherein the processor located on each locomotive in the train interacts with the processor on the another locomotive in the train in a peer relationship, wherein each processor receives required data representing the operating state or operating conditions for each locomotive and uses that data to locally find a control solution, and wherein each processor controls local actuation of locomotive commands required to achieve the control solution, each processor is in communication with the other processors which also arrive at their own control solution, each processor is configured to compare its locally control solution with the control solution of the processor of the another locomotive, and the processors of the locomotive and the another locomotive collectively formulate a control solution for actuation by the locomotive and the another locomotive.