US6081769A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for determining the overall length of a train
Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
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Filing: 1998-02-23
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Granted: 2000-06-27
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Expires: 2018-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining the length of a train utilizing received signal such as a reference signal from a global positioning system or the like is disclosed. A first receiver receives a signal, such as a reference signal from a global positioning system or the like, from which a first position on a train may be determined. Similarly, a second receiver receives a signal from which a second position on the train may be determined. A processor, operatively coupled to the first and second receivers, determines the length of the train based on the first and second positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwight D. Curtis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:25
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L25/00; B61L25/02; B61L25/021; B61L1/00; B61L1/14; B61L15/00; B61L15/0018; B61L15/0027; B61L15/0054; B61L15/0072; B61L25/025; B61L2205/00; B61L2205/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position; said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined; and a processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions and for applying an offset calculation in order to compensate for any errors in the determined length of the train.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position; said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined; and a processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions and for applying an offset calculation in order to compensate for any errors in the determined length of the train.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the signals from which the first and second positions may be determined are provided by a global positioning system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter coupled to said first receiver for transmitting the first position to said processor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said transmitter comprises a radio frequency transceiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 3, further comprising a third receiver coupled to said processor for receiving the first position transmitted by said transmitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said third receiver comprises a radio frequency transceiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is mounted to an end car of said train.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said second receiver is mounted to a front locomotive of said train.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a database operatively coupled to said processor, said database for storing reference information against which the first and second positions may be compared.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver records a first time when said first position is determined and said second receiver records a second time when said second position is determined.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said processor utilizes said first and second times to determine the length of the train.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is coupled to an end-of-train unit and said second receiver is coupled to a cab unit of an end-of-train system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said processor comprises a processor of said cab unit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: means for determining the first position on the train; means for determining a second position on the train; and means for determining the length of the train based upon the first and second positions; means for comparing the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second position are determined with position reference information stored in a database in order to determine the length of the train on a curved section of track.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: means for determining the first position on the train; means for determining a second position on the train; and means for determining the length of the train based upon the first and second positions; means for comparing the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second position are determined with position reference information stored in a database in order to determine the length of the train on a curved section of track.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14, further comprising means for transmitting the first position and means for receiving the first position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 14, further comprising means for recording a the times when the first and second position are determined.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining a length of a train comprising the steps of: determining a first position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; determining a second position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; calculating the length of the train based on the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second positions are determined; and recording the recorded times when said first and second positions are determined.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining a length of a train comprising the steps of: determining a first position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; determining a second position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; calculating the length of the train based on the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second positions are determined; and recording the recorded times when said first and second positions are determined.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for determining a length of a train comprising the steps of: determining a first position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; determining a second position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; calculating the length of the train based on the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second positions are determined; and comparing the first and second positions with position reference information stored in a database in order to determine the length of the train on a curved section of track.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for determining a length of a train comprising the steps of: determining a first position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; determining a second position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; calculating the length of the train based on the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second positions are determined; and comparing the first and second positions with position reference information stored in a database in order to determine the length of the train on a curved section of track.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 18, further comprising applying an adjustment factor when the train is traveling on the curved section of the track.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of claim 18, further comprising applying an offset calculation in order to compensate for any errors in the determined length of the train.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position; said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined; and a processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions; and a database operatively coupled to said processor, said database for storing reference information against which the first and second positions may be compared, wherein said reference information of said database includes topographical information and track path information used to determine whether the train is traveling on a straight track or a curved section of track.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position; said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined; and a processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions; and a database operatively coupled to said processor, said database for storing reference information against which the first and second positions may be compared, wherein said reference information of said database includes topographical information and track path information used to determine whether the train is traveling on a straight track or a curved section of track.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position; said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined, and a processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions; and a database operatively coupled to said processor, said database for storing reference information against which the first and second positions may be compared, wherein said processor interrogates said database and applies an adjustment factor when the train is traveling on a curved section of the track.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for determining the length of a train comprising: a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position; said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined, and a processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions; and a database operatively coupled to said processor, said database for storing reference information against which the first and second positions may be compared, wherein said processor interrogates said database and applies an adjustment factor when the train is traveling on a curved section of the track.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said reference information stored in said database includes offset information used by said processor in the applying of the offset calculation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5699986A
Cited
US5890682A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-12-27 | 2004-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-27 | 2007-12-27 | 2008-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-27 | 2011-12-27 | 2012-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |