Patent · US Expired

Automatic neutral section control system

US7162337B2 · kind B2 · utility

22Cited by
12References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 18, 2005
Grant dateJan 9, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 26, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/16
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of controlling a neutral section operation of a train (14) including a lead locomotive (16) and at least one remote locomotive (12) in communication with the lead locomotive. The locomotives are electrically powered from respective electrical connections to a catenary (22) having at least one neutral section (26). The method includes sensing when a lead locomotive is proximate the neutral section of the catenary. The lead locomotive then commands the remote locomotive to perform a neutral section operation when the lead locomotive has traveled a distance equal to a distance (20) between the lead locomotive and the remote locomotive. The lead locomotive determines when to issue a neutral section command based on a speed of the lead locomotive and an elapsed time from when the lead locomotive senses its location proximate the neutral section.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.