Data communication system for locomotive consist

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016159379-A1
Application number	US-201414564166-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 9, 2014
Priority date	Dec 9, 2014
Publication date	Jun 9, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A data communication system for a locomotive consist is provided. The locomotive consist includes a primary unit and one or more secondary units. The data communication system includes a fuel level sensor associated with the secondary units. The fuel level sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a fuel level in a fuel reservoir of the respective secondary unit. The data communication system also includes a data controller communicably coupled to the fuel level sensor. The data controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the fuel level in the fuel reservoir of the one or more secondary units. The data controller is also configured to compare the fuel level with a predetermined threshold. The data controller is further configured to determine if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A data communication system for a locomotive consist, the locomotive consist having a primary unit and one or more secondary units, the data communication system comprising:
a fuel level sensor associated with the one or more secondary units, the fuel level sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a fuel level in a fuel reservoir of the respective secondary unit; and a data controller communicably coupled to the fuel level sensor, the data controller configured to:
receive the signal indicative of the fuel level in the fuel reservoir of the one or more secondary units;
compare the fuel level with a predetermined threshold; and
determine if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

2 . The data communication system of claim 1 further comprising an output module communicably coupled to the data controller.

3 . The data communication system of claim 2 , wherein the output module is present at the primary unit.

4 . The data communication system of claim 2 , wherein the data controller is further configured to trigger an alert on the output module if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

5 . The data communication system of claim 2 , wherein the output module is present at a remote location.

6 . The data communication system of claim 2 , wherein the output module includes at least one of a display unit and an indicator light.

7 . The data communication system of claim 2 , wherein the output module is present at the one or more secondary units.

8 . A method for data communication in a locomotive consist, the locomotive consist having a primary unit and one or more secondary units, the method comprising:
receiving a signal indicative of the fuel level in a fuel reservoir of the one or more secondary units; comparing the fuel level with a predetermined threshold; and determining if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

9 . The method of claim 8 further comprising:
triggering an alert on an output module if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

10 . A locomotive consist comprising:
a primary unit; one or more secondary units, the one or more secondary units having a fuel reservoir; a fuel level sensor associated with the one or more secondary units, the fuel level sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a fuel level in the fuel reservoir of the respective secondary unit; and a data controller communicably coupled to the fuel level sensor, the data controller configured to:
receive the signal indicative of the fuel level in the fuel reservoir of the one or more secondary units;
compare the fuel level with a predetermined threshold; and
determine if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

11 . The locomotive consist of claim 10 further comprising an output module communicably coupled to the data controller.

12 . The locomotive consist of claim 11 , wherein the output module is present at the primary unit.

13 . The locomotive consist of claim 11 , wherein the data controller is further configured to trigger an alert on the output module if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

14 . The locomotive consist of claim 11 , wherein the output module is present at a remote location.

15 . The locomotive consist of claim 11 , wherein the output module includes at least one of a display unit and an indicator light.

16 . The locomotive consist of claim 11 , wherein the output module is present at the one or more secondary units.

Assignees

• Electro Motive Diesel Inc

Inventors

• Raeder Benjamin A
• Melas Dennis
• Bechtlofft Daniel E
• Rudolph Wayne A
• Fanara Mark A
• Shakal Andrew J

Classifications

• G01F23/0007

  for discrete indicating and measuring (G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence) · CPC title

• B61L15/0018 Primary

  Communication with or on the vehicle or train · CPC title

• B61L15/0036 Primary

  Conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres · CPC title

• B61L15/0072

  On-board train data handling · CPC title

• G08B21/182

  Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold · CPC title