US 11,701,970 B2
Systems and methods for controlled traversal of phase breaks
Stuart Barr, Cedar Rapids, IA (US); Karen A. Shaw, Cedar Rapids, IA (US); and Keith Smith, Cedar Rapids, IA (US)
Assigned to WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Wilmerding, PA (US)
Filed by Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, Wilmerding, PA (US)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/723,648.
Prior Publication US 2021/0188224 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. B60L 9/00 (2019.01); B60L 13/00 (2006.01); B60L 3/04 (2006.01); B60L 5/38 (2006.01); B60M 1/18 (2006.01); B60L 15/20 (2006.01); B60L 7/22 (2006.01); B60L 9/08 (2006.01); B60L 9/24 (2006.01); B60L 50/15 (2019.01); B60L 50/53 (2019.01)
CPC B60L 9/00 (2013.01) [B60L 3/04 (2013.01); B60L 5/38 (2013.01); B60L 7/22 (2013.01); B60L 13/006 (2013.01); B60L 15/20 (2013.01); B60M 1/18 (2013.01); B60L 9/08 (2013.01); B60L 9/24 (2013.01); B60L 50/15 (2019.02); B60L 50/53 (2019.02); B60L 2200/26 (2013.01); B60L 2240/62 (2013.01); B60L 2240/70 (2013.01); B60T 2210/36 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a phase break input unit configured to obtain phase break location information indicating a location of a phase break along a route to be traversed by a vehicle, wherein the phase break location information is obtained before the vehicle arrives at the phase break;
one or more vehicle location detectors configured to obtain vehicle location information indicating at least one of location of the vehicle or movement of the vehicle; and
one or more processors configured to:
determine an estimated arrival time of the vehicle at the phase break using the phase break location information obtained by the phase break input unit and the vehicle location information obtained by the one or more vehicle location detectors;
send a phase break control signal to a control system of the vehicle responsive to the estimated arrival time satisfying a threshold; and
engage dynamic braking as a temporary power source for the vehicle based at least in part on the phase break control signal.