System and method of estimating values for commands to cause vehicles to follow a trajectory in a complex track network
US9731735B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L25/025
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to systems and methods that provide a higher degree of precision and a greater coordination of vehicle movement than is possible in conventional systems. A control system is designed to enforce vehicle movement along a route to a position versus time trajectory. The control system includes control equipment on the vehicle that reports its location on the track periodically. The controlling computer receives the report, and knowing where the vehicle should be and how fast it should be traveling at that point in time via a run definition table prepared for the route, calculates a position and velocity error, then calculates and sends a tractive effort adjustment command to the vehicle that attempts to reduce the position and velocity error. The invention includes a method for providing an estimated force command for a given target velocity and acceleration that can be used in the overall control methodology.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.