Patent ID: 8280569
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
1. A control system for a multi-use rail vehicle comprising: a vehicle throttle control device built into an operator cab of the multi-use rail vehicle, the throttle control device having a plurality of distinct control settings; a user-operable mode selector built into the operator cab, the mode selector operable for selecting between first and second different operational modes of the multi-use rail vehicle; and an engine system for moving the multi-use rail vehicle, the engine system receiving as control inputs a first signal of tile vehicle throttle control device and a second signal of the user-operable mode selector, the first signal corresponding to a current control setting of the throttle control device, and the second signal indicating a selected one of the first and second operational modes; the first operational mode being a motoring mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device correspond to a respective one of a plurality of engine system outputs in a range between a minimum and maximum engine speed, each of the control settings corresponding to a different tractive effort or power of the multi-use rail vehicle; and the second operational mode being a yard mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device designate one of a plurality of speed control set points wherein the speed of the multi-use rail vehicle is controlled to not exceed the speed control set point corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device, each of the control settings respectively limiting a tractive effort of the multi-use rail vehicle to a predetermined level up to a predetermined speed, and including braking being applied to regulate the speed of the vehicle at the selected speed control set point; and a third operational mode of the multi-use rail vehicle, the third operational mode being a second yard mode wherein each of the plurality of distinct control settings of the throttle control device designate one of a plurality of specified distances wherein the multi-rise rail vehicle is controlled to move the specified distance corresponding to a selected one of the control settings of the throttle control device.