Patent ID: 8406942
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: B61C,B61L

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive of a rail vehicle consist, the lead and the remote locomotives separated by one or more railcars, the method comprising: determining a first drawbar force exerted on a rear drawbar at a rear end of the lead locomotive to determine when the lead locomotive has crested a hill; determining a second force exerted on a front drawbar and a third force exerted on a rear drawbar of a mid-consist locomotive of the rail vehicle consist as the mid-consist locomotive traverses the gradient, the mid-consist locomotive separated from the lead locomotive by one or more railcars; determining at least one of a speed or an acceleration of the lead locomotive subsequent to the lead locomotive cresting the hill; selecting an upper train speed; and controlling by a controller the lead locomotive to maintain the speed of the lead locomotive below the upper train speed after the lead locomotive has crested the hill, wherein the first force is determined from at least one of a direction or a magnitude of the first force on the rear drawbar of the lead locomotive, the second force is determined from at least one of a direction or a magnitude of the second force on the front drawbar of the mid-consist locomotive, and the third force is determined from at least one of a direction or magnitude of the third force on the rear drawbar of the mid-consist locomotive.