System and method for vehicle control

US9950722B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Ajith Kuttannair Kumar · Erie, US
• David Allen Eldredge · Melbourne, US
• Daniel Ballesty · Wattsburg, US
• Jared Klineman Cooper · Melbourne, US
• Christopher Roney · Melbourne, US
• Paul Kenneth Houpt · Schenectady, US
• Stephen Mathe · Melbourne, US
• Paul M. Julich · Indialantic, US
• Jeffrey James Kisak · Erie, US
• Glenn Robert Shaffer · Erie, US
• Scott Daniel Nelson · Melbourne, US
• Wolfgang Daum · Erie, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 24, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 24, 2018
• Expiry date: May 20, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B61L2205/04
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system includes a first controller, a data acquisition device, a friction modification unit, and a friction management controller. The first controller is configured to obtain an operational setting for a vehicle, and to output a first signal relating to the operational setting for controlling the vehicle. The data acquisition device is configured to obtain operational data of the vehicle as the vehicle travels, and to provide the operational data to the first controller. The first controller is configured to obtain a difference between the operational data and the operational setting, and to adjust the first signal based on the difference. The friction modification unit is configured to modify a friction characteristic of a surface of the route. The friction management controller is configured to direct the friction modification unit to modify the friction characteristic of the surface of the route based on the operational setting.