SYSTEM FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION ON RAIL VEHICLES

摘要

Apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle travelling between a start and finish point to enable that vehicle to achieve a maximum period of coasting. There is a calculator. A timer provides signals to the calculator representing the current time and time elapsed since commencement of travel from the start point. A distance travelled monitor provides a signal to the calculator representing the distance travelled from the start point and a velocity measurement signal. A store contains at least one coasting acceleration value corresponding to a plurality of velocity and position values and at least one braking acceleration value corresponding to a plurality of velocity and position values for that vehicle and values representing the predetermined time of arrival at the finish point and the distance between the start and finish point is provided. The calculator can use the time elapsed and the distance travelled to determine the velocity of the vehicle and position of the vehicle and calculates from at least one of the corresponding coasting acceleration values and a braking acceleration value a time of arrival at the finish point if coasting were to commence at the current time. If that time is less than the time remaining to the predetermined time of arrival the calculator operates a signal to control the vehicle to commence coasting.