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Title: Efficient high density train operations

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for preventing low train voltages and managing interference, thereby improving the efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort associated with commuter trains. An algorithm implementing neural network technology is used to predict low voltages before they occur. Once voltages are predicted, then multiple trains can be controlled to prevent low voltage events. Further, algorithms for managing inference are presented in the present invention. Different types of interference problems are addressed in the present invention such as "Interference. During Acceleration", "Interference Near Station Stops", and "Interference During Delay Recovery." Managing such interference avoids unnecessary brake/acceleration cycles during acceleration, immediately before station stops, and after substantial delays. Algorithms are demonstrated to avoid oscillatory brake/acceleration cycles due to interference and to smooth the trajectories of closely following trains. This is achieved by maintaining sufficient following distances to avoid unnecessary braking/accelerating. These methods generate smooth train trajectories, making for a more comfortable ride, and improve train motor reliability by avoiding unnecessary mode-changes between propulsion and braking. These algorithms can also have a favorable impact on traction power system requirements and energy consumption.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Oakland, CA
  2. Hayward, CA
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
874177
Patent Number(s):
US 6332107
Assignee:
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (Oakland, CA)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
efficient; density; train; operations; provides; methods; preventing; voltages; managing; interference; improving; efficiency; reliability; passenger; comfort; associated; commuter; trains; algorithm; implementing; neural; network; technology; predict; occur; predicted; multiple; controlled; prevent; voltage; events; algorithms; inference; types; addressed; acceleration; near; station; stops; delay; recovery; avoids; unnecessary; brakeacceleration; cycles; immediately; substantial; delays; demonstrated; avoid; oscillatory; due; smooth; trajectories; closely; following; achieved; maintaining; sufficient; distances; brakingaccelerating; generate; comfortable; ride; improve; motor; avoiding; mode-changes; propulsion; braking; favorable; impact; traction; power; requirements; energy; consumption; provides methods; /701/246/

Citation Formats

Gordon, Susanna P, and Evans, John A. Efficient high density train operations. United States: N. p., 2001. Web.
Gordon, Susanna P, & Evans, John A. Efficient high density train operations. United States.
Gordon, Susanna P, and Evans, John A. 2001. "Efficient high density train operations". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/874177.
@article{osti_874177,
title = {Efficient high density train operations},
author = {Gordon, Susanna P and Evans, John A},
abstractNote = {The present invention provides methods for preventing low train voltages and managing interference, thereby improving the efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort associated with commuter trains. An algorithm implementing neural network technology is used to predict low voltages before they occur. Once voltages are predicted, then multiple trains can be controlled to prevent low voltage events. Further, algorithms for managing inference are presented in the present invention. Different types of interference problems are addressed in the present invention such as "Interference. During Acceleration", "Interference Near Station Stops", and "Interference During Delay Recovery." Managing such interference avoids unnecessary brake/acceleration cycles during acceleration, immediately before station stops, and after substantial delays. Algorithms are demonstrated to avoid oscillatory brake/acceleration cycles due to interference and to smooth the trajectories of closely following trains. This is achieved by maintaining sufficient following distances to avoid unnecessary braking/accelerating. These methods generate smooth train trajectories, making for a more comfortable ride, and improve train motor reliability by avoiding unnecessary mode-changes between propulsion and braking. These algorithms can also have a favorable impact on traction power system requirements and energy consumption.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/874177}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001},
month = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001}
}