AU2009251097B2

AU2009251097B2 - Distributed Power System

Info

Publication number: AU2009251097B2
Application number: AU2009251097A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew Shurmer; Robert Wasley
Original assignee: Technological Resources Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Technological Resources Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2009-12-22
Publication date: 2014-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-22
Also published as: AU2009251097A1

Abstract

- 17 A distributed power system 10 is described for a primary consist 12 provided with a head end lead loco L1, one or more wagons W coupled to the head end 5 lead loco and a banker consist 14 comprising at least a banker lead loco B1 coupled to an end wagon Wn distant the head end lead loco L1. The distributed power system 10 comprises respective radios 16 in the head end lead loco 14 and the banker lead loco B1, each radio 16 provided with a unique address, and a wayside wireless addressable communications system 18. The system 10 18 is configured to provide communication between the radios 16 wherein the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco are able to communicate messages addressed to each other via the wayside wireless addressable communications system 18. 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21/12/09

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Technological Resources Pty. Limited Invention Title: Distributed Power System The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: -2 DISTRIBUTED POWER SYSTEM Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a distributed power system for a consist having a head end lead loco and a banker lead loco. Background of the Invention 10 A primary consist in a heavy haul rail transport system may comprise a head end lead loco, a number of wagons and a banker consist coupled to an end wagon. One or more head end trail locos may also be incorporated. The banker consist comprises a banker lead loco and optionally one or more banker trail locos. The banker consist is used to assist in pushing the primary consist 15 up a gradient. Distributed power is used to control the throttle and brake settings of the banker consist from the head end lead loco in order to ensure that the primary consist does not break apart during acceleration or derail during braking. 20 Distributed power requires providing a communication path between the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco so that throttle and brake settings are co-ordinated. This communication path may be facilitated by way of an onboard radio line of sight communication between a driver in the head end lead loco and a driver in the banker lead loco. In a heavy haul rail transport 25 system where a consist may frequently be of a length in excess of 500m the onboard radio system may be unreliable as there may not be a line of sight between the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco. For example the locos in question may be on opposite sides of a peak of hill; or on opposite sides of a bend around a hill, or one loco may be in a tunnel while the other is 30 spaced by a bend in the track from the tunnel. Summary of the Invention One aspect of the invention provides a distributed power system for a primary 35 consist provided with a head end lead loco, one or more wagons coupled to the head end lead loco and a banker consist comprising at least a banker lead 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 -3 loco coupled to an end wagon distant the head end lead loco, the distributed power system comprising: respective radios in the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco, each radio provided with a unique address on a wayside wireless addressable 5 communications system, the wayside wireless addressable communications system comprising a plurality of wayside base stations configured to provide communication between the radios wherein the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco are able to communicate messages addressed to each other via the base stations of the wayside wireless addressable communications 10 system. The messages addressed to the banker lead loco from the head end lead loco may comprise operating commands for the banker lead loco wherein the head end lead loco controls operation of the banker consist. 15 The wayside wireless addressable communications system may be configured to facilitate real time or substantially real time operation of the banker lead loco in accordance with operating command contained in one or more the messages send from the head end lead loco. 20 The unique address of the radio in the head end lead loco may be registered with the radio of the banker lead loco. The unique address of the radio in the banker lead loco may be registered with 25 the radio of the head end lead loco. The registration of the unique addresses may be performed around a period when the banker lead loco is coupled to the end wagon. 30 The operating commands communicated by the head end lead loco to the banker lead loco may comprise an uncouple command for the banker lead loco to uncouple from the primary consist. The loco operation commands from the head end lead loco may include throttle 35 and brake commands for the banker lead loco. 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 -4 The banker consist may comprise the banker lead loco and at least one more banker trail loco, and wherein the banker lead loco controls operation of the or each banker trail locos in accordance with operation commands from the head end lead loco while the banker consist is coupled to the primary consist. 5 The head end lead loco may communicate the uncouple command when the primary consist is in a predetermined uncoupling zone. The banker consist may be pre loaded with banker operation commands prior 10 to commencement of a journey of the primary consist, and wherein the banker consist operates in accordance with the banker operation commands subsequent to uncoupling from the primary consist The pre loaded banker operation commands may comprise a command for the 15 banker consist to automatically stop following uncoupling from the primary consist. The pre loaded banker operation commands may comprise a command for the banker consist to automatically change ends subsequent to stopping. 20 The banker may be pre loaded with train configuration data. Each of base stations may be provided with a unique address to facilitate routing of messages through the base stations. 25 The base stations may be arranged to provide automatic handover of communications between a loco and a first base station and that loco and an adjacent base station as that loco travels between the first and the adjacent base stations. 30 The wireless addressable communications system may comprise a TCP/IP communications system. Each radio base station may be configured to act as a router. 35 A second aspect of the invention provides a method of providing distributed power for a primary consist provided with a head end lead loco, one or more 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 -5 wagons coupled to the head end lead loco and a banker consist comprising at least a banker lead loco coupled to an end wagon distant the head end lead loco, the method comprising: providing the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco with 5 respective unique addresses on a wayside wireless addressable communications system; and, enabling communications between the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco via the wayside wireless addressable communications system which comprises a plurality of base stations, wherein the head end lead loco 10 and the banker lead loco are able to communicate messages addressed to each other via one or more of the base stations of the wireless addressable communications. The method may comprise providing operating commands in the messages 15 addressed to the banker lead loco from the head end lead loco wherein the head end lead loco is able to control operation of the banker consist. The method may comprise operating the wayside wireless addressable communications system to facilitate real time or substantially real time 20 operation of the banker lead loco in accordance with operating command contained in one or more the messages send from the head end lead loco. The method may comprise registering the unique address of the head end lead loco with the banker lead loco lead. 25 The method may further comprise registering the unique address of the banker lead loco with the head end lead loco. The registering of the unique addresses may be performed around a period 30 when the banker lead loco is coupled to the end wagon. Providing the operating commands may comprise providing throttle and brake commands for the banker lead loco. 35 Providing the operating commands may comprise providing a uncouple command for the banker lead loco to uncouple from the primary consist. 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 -6 When the banker consist comprises the banker lead loco and at least one more banker trail loco, the method may comprise enabling the banker lead loco to control operation of the or each banker trail locos in accordance with operation commands from the head end lead loco while the banker consist is coupled to 5 the primary consist. The method may comprise, communicating the uncouple command when the primary consist is in a predetermined uncoupling zone. 10 The method may comprise pre-loading the banker consist with banker operation commands prior to commencement of a journey of the primary consist, and wherein the banker consist operates in accordance with the banker operation commands subsequent to uncoupling from the primary consist. 15 The method may comprise providing, in the pre loaded banker operation commands, a command for the banker consist to automatically stop following uncoupling from the primary consist. The method may comprise providing in the preloaded banker operation 20 commands a command for the banker consist to automatically change ends subsequent to stopping. The method may comprise pre loading the banker lead loco with train configuration data. 25 Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 30 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the distributed power system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a head end lead loco and a banker 35 lead loco of a consist shown in Figure 1; and, Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a way side communication system 21275881 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 -7 incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments 5 Figure 1 is a general schematic representation of an embodiment of a distributed power system 10 for a primary consist 12. The primary consist 12 comprises a head end lead loco L1, two head end trail locos L2 and L3, a plurality of wagons W 1 - WN (herein after referred to in general as "wagons W") and a banker consist 14. The banker consist 14 comprises: a banker lead loco 10 B1, which is coupled to an end wagon Wo which is distant the head end lead loco LI; and, two trail locos B2 and B3. The head end lead loco Li and banker lead loco B1 are provided with radio transceivers 16L and 16B respectively (hereinafter referred to in general as "radios 16"). Each of the radios 16 is provided with a unique address on a wayside wireless addressable 15 communication system 18. Thus in effect, the loco L1 and loco B1 are provided with and can be identified by the, unique addresses on the communication system 18. As a result of this, the locos L1 and B1 are able to communicate messages addressed to each other via the communication system 18. 20 Accordingly, the lead loco Li is able to communicate operating commands to the banker lead loco B1 to thereby control operation of the banker lead B1 and thus the banker consist 14. The communication system 18 is configured to provide real time or substantially real time operation of the banker consist 14 in accordance with operating commands contained in messages sent from the 25 head end lead loco LI via the wayside wireless addressable communication system 18. As described in greater detail below the wayside wireless addressable communication system 18 comprises a plurality of base stations 24. Each base 30 station is located to facilitate line of sight radio communications with the one or more other base stations 24. This enables communication between locos LI and B1, which may not be in line of sight of each other, via one or more base stations 24, hence providing improved communications reliability. 35 Figure 2 depicts various sub-systems of the locos Li and B1. Each of the locos Li and B1 is provided in addition to their radio transceivers 16, a computer or controller 20L and 20B respectively (hereinafter referred to in general as 21275881 (GHMatters) 21/12109 -8 "controllers 20") and respective loco control systems 22L and 22B respectively (hereinafter referred to in general as "LCS 22"). The address of the radio 16B of loco B1 is loaded in or registered with radio 16L of loco LI and similarly the address of the radio 16L is loaded or registered with the radio 16B. The 5 registering or loading of the respective addresses of the radios may be done at or about the time of coupling the banker consist 14 to the end wagon Wn. In order to control the movement of the consist 12, brake and throttle commands or settings are communicated from the head end lead loco Li via 10 the radio 16L addressed to the radio 16B via the communication system 18. The banker loco B1 upon receiving the message addressed to it via the radio 16B communicates the appropriate operating commands to the onboard computer controller 20B which then provides instructions to the LCS 22B. The LCS 22B is then able to operate the throttle and brake settings in accordance 15 with the operating commands issued by loco L1. The banker lead B1 is able to control the throttle and brake settings of the trailing locos B2 and B3 either via a hardwired intra consist communication system or via corresponding radios on the bankers B2 and B3 and 20 communicating brake commands to these bankers via the communication system 18. In this scenario, the bankers B2 and B3 are also each provided with radios with unique addresses. Likewise, the head end lead loco Li is able to communicate brake and throttle settings to the head end trail locos L2 and L3 via a hard wired intra consist communication system or by respective uniquely 25 addressed radios on the locos L2 and L3 via the communication system 18. One of the messages that may be communicated from the head end lead loco Li to the banker lead loco B1 is an uncouple command which instructs the banker lead B1 to uncouple from the end wagon WN. The uncouple command 30 is typically provided in a designated or predetermined uncoupling zone along a rail track. This zone may for example be in a length or section of rail track subsequent to a gradient where the banker consist 14 provided the necessary motive force to enable the primary consist 12 to traverse the gradient. The end points of the uncoupling zone maybe denoted by transponders on the rail track 35 or calculated by chainage data and/or measured speed and time of travel of the consist 12 from the commencement of its journey. These calculations are compared with preloaded data in one or both of the computers 20L and 20B to 21275881 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 -9 determine when the consist 12 is in the uncoupling zone. The computer 20B in the banker lead B1 may be preloaded with banker operation commands prior to commencement of the journey of the primary 5 consist 12. The banker operation commands operate the banker consist 14 subsequent to uncoupling from the primary consist 12. Various sensors may be incorporated to detect or verify uncoupling of the banker consist 14. These may include for example distance sensors which enable measurement of the distance between the banker lead B1 and the end wagon Wo. An additional 10 sensor may comprise a sensor confirming the opening of a coupling between the banker lead B1 and the end wagon Wo. The sensors upon detecting the uncoupling of the banker consist 14 may be used to trigger a sending of a message from the banker B1 via the radio 16B and the communication system 18 addressed to the radio 16L confirming uncoupling of the banker consist 14. 15 Upon uncoupling of the banker consist 14, the banker consist 14 operates in accordance with the preloaded banker operation commands. These commands may typically comprise commands for the banker consist to automatically stop and to change ends. Changing ends is a process whereby 20 the end trail banker B3 now becomes a lead loco for the uncoupled banker consist to facilitate a journey in a direction opposite to that of the consist 12 from which it uncoupled. The banker consist 14 may also be preloaded with train configuration data prior to the journey of the consist 12. This will enable appropriate operation and response by an automatic train protection system of 25 the lead loco in the uncoupled banker consist. Referring to Figure 3, the wayside wireless addressable communication system 18 is depicted as comprising a data radio network having a plurality of base stations 24a - 24n (hereinafter referred to in general as "base stations 24") 30 distributed along a rail track 26 along which the consist 12 travels. The number of base stations 24 required is dependent upon numerous factors including, but not limited to the geographic coverage provided by each base station, length of the track 26, and topography of the land between geographic locations connected by the track 26. The base stations are located relative to each other, 35 to enable or facilitate line of sight radio communications with the one or more other base stations 24. Moreover the base stations are distributed along the track 26 to enable communications between the locos LI and B1 via one or 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21112/09 - 10 more base stations 24. Thus messages can be communicated between locos Li and 1 which may not be in line of sight of each other via one or base stations 24. 5 In one embodiment each base station may be provided with two transceivers, each operating at two frequencies to provide space diversity, and associated antennas to enable communications at the two different frequencies. The base stations are operated with one of the transceivers being active to provide communication and the other transceiver on hot standby. Automatic switching 10 equipment provided at each base station enables automatic change over, if and when required, between the active transceiver and the hot standby backup. Thus in this embodiment, each base station is a dual redundant radio base station. 15 Each of the base stations is provided with a unique address and configured to act as a router. This enables communication between the lead loco LI and the banker lead 1 to be routed through the base stations in a manner to maximise the likelihood the communication being received (i.e. to route around a failed or congested base station) and to minimise latency and thus real time or near real 20 time communications. To this end the base stations may be configured in accordance with standard router protocols and methods of operation. For example the base stations are provided with routing tables which are used to determine where a data packet in a communication between locos Li and B1 should be routed to reach the specified address (i.e. either Li or 1). The 25 tables typically will include the: address of the base stations 24; address locos LI and 1; and rules/priorities for handling communications traffic. The tables may be updated with address information relating to congested or failed base stations, the address of rail vehicles in communications range of that base station, and the address of the next base station to which communications with 30 a loco 1/1 was handed over. The rail vehicle address may be transferred from one base station to another as part of a handover protocol between base stations as a rail vehicle moves along a track leaving the communications range of one base station and into communications range with another bases station. The updating of router tables assists to minimise network latency. 35 As the consist 12 travels along the rail track 26 a seamless handover of communications is effected between adjacent base stations in accordance with 2127588_1 (GHMatlers) 21/12/09 - 11 the geographic communications range of the base stations 24. Thus, while the locos Li and B1 may be communicating via the base station 24a, after a particular point in travel along the rail track 26, the communications between Li and B1 is transferred to occur via the base station 24B. 5 Figure 3 depicts two communication scenarios between the head end lead loco LI and banker lead loco B1. In the first scenario, communications between the locos Li and B1 may be along communication paths P1a and P1b by the common base station 24a. However depending on the location of the consist 10 12 along the rail track 26 relative to the base stations 24a and 24b, and relative signal strengths between the communicating radios 16 and the base stations 24, messages or operating commands may be communicated between the locos LI and B1 along a path comprising path P2a between loco LI and base station 24b, path P2s between base station 24b and base station 24a, and path 15 Pib between the base station 24a and the banker lead B1. That is communication between the locos LI and B1 is via one or more base stations only. The communication is not routed for example to a network control centre or a train control centre. 20 The addressable aspect of the communication system 18 may be facilitated by utilising a TCP/IP (i.e. internet based) communications protocol. Thus each of the radios 16 and base stations 24 are provided with a unique IP address. Modifications and variations of the distributed power system that would be 25 obvious to persons of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the above description and the appended claims. 21275881 (GHMatters) 21/1209

Claims

1. A distributed power system for a primary consist provided with a head end lead loco, one or more wagons coupled to the head end lead loco and a 5 banker consist comprising at least a banker lead loco coupled to an end wagon distant the head end lead loco, the distributed power system comprising: respective radios in the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco, each radio provided with a unique address on a wayside wireless addressable communications system, the wayside wireless addressable communications 10 system comprising a plurality of wayside base stations configured to provide communication between the radios wherein the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco are able to communicate messages addressed to each other via one or more of the base stations of the wayside wireless addressable communications system. 15

2. The distributed power system according to claim 1 wherein the messages addressed to the banker lead loco from the head end lead loco comprise operating commands for the banker lead loco wherein the head end lead loco controls operation of the banker consist. 20

3. The distributed power system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the wayside wireless addressable communications system is configured to facilitate real time or substantially real time operation of the banker lead loco in accordance with operating command contained in one or more the messages 25 send from the head end lead loco.

4. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the unique address of the radio in the head end lead loco is registered with the radio of the banker lead loco. 30

5. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein the unique address of the radio in the banker lead loco is registered with the radio of the head end lead loco. 35

6. The distributed power system according to claims 4 or 5 wherein registration of the unique addresses is performed around a period when the banker lead loco is coupled to the end wagon. 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 - 13

7. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 2-6 wherein the operating commands communicated by the head end lead loco to the banker lead loco comprise an uncouple command for the banker lead loco to 5 uncouple from the primary consist.

8. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 2-7 wherein the loco operation commands from the head end lead loco include throttle and brake commands for the banker lead loco. 10

9. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 2-8 wherein the banker consist comprises the banker lead loco and at least one more banker trail loco, and wherein the banker lead loco controls operation of the or each banker trail locos in accordance with operation commands from the head 15 end lead loco while the banker consist is coupled to the primary consist.

10. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 7-9 wherein the head end lead loco communicates the uncouple command when the primary consist is in a predetermined uncoupling zone. 20

11. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 1-10 wherein the banker consist is pre-loaded with banker operation commands prior to commencement of a journey of the primary consist, and wherein the banker consist operates in accordance with the banker operation commands 25 subsequent to uncoupling from the primary consist

12. The distributed power system according to claim 11 wherein the pre loaded banker operation commands comprise a command for the banker consist to automatically stop following uncoupling from the primary consist. 30

13. The distributed power system according to claim 12 wherein the pre loaded banker operation commands comprise a command for the banker consist to automatically change ends subsequent to stopping. 35

14. The distributed power system according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the banker is pre loaded with train configuration data. 21275881 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 - 14

15. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 1-14 wherein each base station is provided with a unique address to facilitate routing of messages through the base stations. 5

16. The distributed power system according to claim 15 wherein the base stations are arranged to provide automatic handover of communications between a loco and a first base station and that loco and an adjacent base station as that loco travels between the first and the adjacent base stations. 10

17. The distributed power system according to any one of claims 1-16 wherein the wireless addressable communications system comprises a TCP/IP communications system.

18. The distributed power system according to any one bf claims 15-17 15 wherein each radio base station is configured to act as a router to route a message between the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco via one or more of the base stations.

19. The distributed power system according to claim 18 wherein each base 20 station is provided with a router table configured to route the message between the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco with minimum latency and facilitate the real time or substantially real time communications between the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco. 25

20. The distributed power system according to claim 19 wherein each base station is configured to update its router table with one or more of (a)address information relating to congested or failed base stations, (b) the address of the head end lead loco and/or the banker lead loco in communications range of that base station, and, (c) if applicable the address of the next base station to which 30 communications with the head end lead loco and/or the banker lead loco was handed over.

21. A method of providing distributed power for a primary consist provided with a head end lead loco, one or more wagons coupled to the head end lead 35 loco and a banker consist comprising at least a banker lead loco coupled to an end wagon distant the head end lead loco, the method comprising: 21275881 (GHMatters) 21/12/09 - 15 providing the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco with respective unique addresses on wayside wireless addressable communications system; and, enabling communications between the head end lead loco and the 5 banker lead loco via the wayside wireless addressable communications system which comprises a plurality of base stations, wherein the head end lead loco and the banker lead loco are able to communicate messages addressed to each other via one or more of the base stations of the wireless addressable communications. 10

22. The method according to claim 21 comprising providing operating commands in the messages addressed to the banker lead loco from the head end lead loco wherein the head end lead loco is able to control operation of the banker consist. 15

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22 comprising operating the wayside wireless addressable communications system to facilitate real time or substantially real time operation of the banker lead loco in accordance with operating command contained in one or more the messages send from the 20 head end lead loco.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23 comprising registering the unique address of the head end lead loco with the banker lead loco lead.

25 25. The method according to any one of claims 21-24 comprising registering the unique address of the banker lead loco with the head end lead loco.

26. The method according to claims 24 or 25 wherein registering the unique addresses is performed around a period when the banker lead loco is coupled 30 to the end wagon.

27. The method according to any one of claims 22-26 wherein providing the operating commands comprises providing throttle and brake commands for the banker lead loco. 35 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21112/09 - 16

28. The method according to any one of claims 22-27 wherein providing the operating commands comprises providing a uncouple command for the banker lead loco to uncouple from the primary consist. 5

29. The method according to any one of claims 22-28 comprising, when the banker consist comprises the banker lead loco and at least one more banker trail loco, enabling the banker lead loco to control operation of the or each banker trail locos in accordance with operation commands from the head end lead loco while the banker consist is coupled to the primary consist. 10

30. The method according to any one of claims 27-29 comprising, communicating the uncouple command when the primary consist is in a predetermined uncoupling zone. 15

31. The method according to any one of claims 21-30 comprising pre-loading the banker consist with banker operation commands prior to commencement of a journey of the primary consist, and wherein the banker consist operates in accordance with the banker operation commands subsequent to uncoupling from the primary consist. 20

32. The method according to claim 31 comprising providing, in the pre loaded banker operation commands, a command for the banker consist to automatically stop after uncoupling from the primary consist. 25

33. The method according to claim 32 comprising providing in the preloaded banker operation commands a command for the banker consist to automatically change ends subsequent to stopping.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33 comprising pre loading the 30 banker lead loco with train configuration data.

35. A distributed power system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 35

36. A method of providing distributed power substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 2127588_1 (GHMatters) 21112/09