Patent · US Active

System and method for monitoring coupler fatigue

US9937936B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 2015
Grant dateApr 10, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L25/025
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and system monitor coupler fatigue by determining an upcoming fatigue metric representative of fatigue that is to be experienced by a coupler configured to connect plural vehicles in a vehicle system, determining whether a failure metric of the coupler during the upcoming trip exceeds a designated failure threshold (where the failure metric is based on the upcoming fatigue metric), and, responsive to determining that the failure metric exceeds the designated failure threshold, one or more of notifying an operator of the upcoming fatigue metric, displaying one or more of the upcoming fatigue metric or the failure metric, changing a driving plan for controlling movement of the vehicle system during the upcoming trip, and/or changing a characteristic of the vehicle system.

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