US 12,065,179 B2
Systems and methods for controlling movement speed of a locomotive
Jeremy Jovenall, Mercer, PA (US)
Assigned to Cattron North America, Inc., Warren, OH (US)
Filed by Cattron North America, Inc., Warren, OH (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/732,299.
Application 17/732,299 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/562,733, filed on Sep. 6, 2019, granted, now 11,318,968.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/892,539, filed on Aug. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0250667 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B61L 27/16 (2022.01); B61L 15/00 (2006.01); B61L 25/02 (2006.01); B61L 25/06 (2006.01); B61L 27/02 (2006.01)
CPC B61L 27/16 (2022.01) [B61L 15/0058 (2024.01); B61L 15/0062 (2024.01); B61L 25/021 (2013.01); B61L 25/06 (2013.01); B61L 27/02 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated locomotive speed control system for a locomotive, the locomotive including a tractive effort mechanism for moving the locomotive along a track and a braking mechanism for reducing a speed of the locomotive along the track, the system comprising a locomotive controller including:
a memory to store computer-executable instructions; and
a processor in communication with the memory to execute the instructions to:
retrieve one or more track grade maps each indicative of a grade of at least a portion of the track along which the locomotive is travelling;
retrieve train makeup data;
obtain a maximum distance to a specified stopping point of the locomotive along the track; and
calculate a speed limit for the locomotive along the track to meet a stopping trajectory for providing dynamic point protection, according to the retrieved track grade map, the retrieved train makeup data, and the obtained maximum distance to the specified stopping point.