Data processing: artificial intelligence – Fuzzy logic hardware – Digital fuzzy computer
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-29
2001-06-05
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)
Data processing: artificial intelligence
Fuzzy logic hardware
Digital fuzzy computer
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243694
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to rail-based transportation system handling controllers and more particularly to a system and method for generating a fuel-optimal reference velocity profile for a rail-based transportation system handling controller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel is one of the largest costs associated with operating a rail-based transportation system such as a freight train. A single typical freight locomotive in revenue service with the major railroads may bum over 400,000 gallons of fuel in a year. Many attempts have been made to cut fuel costs, but there is still room for improvement. One approach that has been used to cut fuel costs is to reduce the amount of fuel consumption. It has been determined that a one percent reduction in fuel consumption would result in a $20 million reduction in cost each year. One significant factor which impacts fuel consumption of a train is the variability in operation by different crews. For example, fuel consumption may vary by up to 25% for different crews operating the same train over the same route under similar conditions and load. The variation in fuel consumption is most likely due to inefficient locomotive control. Accordingly, there is a need to improve the control of a locomotive in order to eliminate the variation in fuel consumption.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is able to eliminate the variability in fuel consumption by generating a fuel-optimal reference velocity profile for a train handling controller that takes into account the operational phases of a train. In particular, the fuel-optimal reference velocity profile takes into account what speed the train must travel at in order to satisfy given schedule and speed constraints while minimizing fuel consumption. In addition, the generated fuel-optimal reference velocity profile takes into account how the train should be controlled, so that the recommended speed can be tracked without causing train breaks, derailments, cargo damage and violation of safety rules.
In accordance with this invention, there is disclosed a system and method for generating an optimized velocity profile in a rail-based transportation handling controller. In this invention, there is a train simulator for simulating an operation of a rail-based transportation system over a specified track profile. In addition, there is a velocity profile generator that generates a velocity profile for operating the rail-based transportation system over the specified track profile. A fuzzy logic controller controls the operation of the train simulator in accordance with the velocity profile provided by the velocity profile generator. In particular, the fuzzy logic controller tracks the error and change in error between the train simulator operation and the velocity profile and provides a control action to the train simulator that minimizes the error. A velocity profile optimizer, coupled to the train simulator and the velocity profile generator, optimizes the generated velocity profile in accordance with the operation of the train simulator.
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Bonissone Piero Patrone
Chen Yu-To
Houpt Paul Kenneth
Khedkar Pratap Shankar
Schneiter John Lewis
Breedlove Jill M.
General Electric Company
Goldman David C.
Powell Mark R.
Starks Wilbert
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