System and method for dynamically determining a force applied through a rail vehicle axle

Abstract

A system is provided for dynamically determining a force applied through a plurality of axles in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track in a travel direction. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a controller configured to determine a respective dynamic weight shift of the plurality of wheels on the rail track based upon a dynamic factor of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track.

1 . A system for a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track, said system comprising:
 a truck comprising a non-powered axle and a powered axle, wherein the powered axle comprises an axle, a traction motor, and a gear, wherein the gear is drivable by the motor, and wherein the axle is rotatable by the gear;   a device coupled to at least one of the non-powered axle or the powered axle for dynamically adjusting a weight distribution between the non-powered axle and the powered axle, wherein the device is controllable to shift weight to the powered axle from the non-powered axle, thereby decreasing a weight imparted by the non-powered axle on the rail track and increasing a weight imparted by the powered axle on the rail track; and   a controller operable according to a computer program to control the device for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution to increase adhesion.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable according to the computer program to control the device for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution based on at least one of a static weight associated with the rail vehicle, a level of fuel, a speed of the rail vehicle, a throttle level of the rail vehicle, or an amount of fuel consumed by the rail vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the non-powered axle and the powered axle comprise a plurality of wheels, and wherein the controller is operable according to the computer program to control the device to increase an aggregate adhesion between the plurality of wheels and the rail track by dynamically affecting one or more of a magnitude and a direction of a normal force applied through the non-powered axle or the powered axle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a weight sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the controller operable to determine the static weight of the locomotive based on a static weight measurement from the weight sensor when the locomotive is stationary, and the controller operable to control the device for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution based on static weight associated with the rail vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller determines the static weight based on a static weight of fuel within the locomotive. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller determines the static weight based on a static weight of sand within a sand applicator of the locomotive. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller determines the static weight based on a grade of the locomotive. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller controls the device, for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution, based on a speed of the rail vehicle traveling along the rail track. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller controls the device, for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution, based on a notch level of a throttle of the rail vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller controls the device, for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution, based on an amount of fuel consumed by the rail vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the powered axle comprises a pair of powered axles; and the device couples the pair of powered axles to the non-powered axle and is controllable to shift weight to the pair of powered axles from the non-powered axle. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the device comprises at least one rigid member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of hydraulic actuators respectively coupled to the non-powered axle and the pair of powered axles. 
     
     
         14 . A system for a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track, said system comprising:
 a truck comprising a non-powered axle and a powered axle, wherein the powered axle comprises an axle, a traction motor, and a gear, wherein the gear is drivable by the motor, and wherein the axle is rotatable by the gear;   a device coupled to at least one of the non-powered axle or to the powered axle for dynamically adjusting a weight distribution between the non-powered axle and the powered axle, wherein the device is controllable to shift weight to the powered axle from the non-powered axle, thereby decreasing a weight imparted by the non-powered axle on the rail track and increasing a weight imparted by the powered axle on the rail track; and   a controller operable according to a computer program to control the device for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution,   wherein the device comprises a hydraulic actuator coupled to at least one of the non-powered axle or the powered axle, and the system further comprises: a displacement pump coupled to the hydraulic actuator, the displacement pump configured to supply a pressurized hydraulic fluid at a selectively controlled pressure to said hydraulic actuator, said hydraulic actuator configured to shift weight to the powered axle from the non-powered axle based upon the selectively controlled pressure, and a compliant member disposed between the hydraulic actuator and said at least one of the non-powered axle or the powered axle to which the hydraulic actuator is coupled, such that the hydraulic actuator is coupled to said at least one of the non-powered axle or the powered axle in a compliant manner.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is operable according to the computer program to control the device for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution based on at least one of a static weight associated with the rail vehicle, a level of fuel, a speed of the rail vehicle, a throttle level of the rail vehicle, or an amount of fuel consumed by the rail vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the non-powered axle and the powered axle comprise a plurality of wheels, and wherein the controller is operable according to the computer program to control the device to increase an aggregate adhesion between the plurality of wheels and the rail track by dynamically affecting one or more of a magnitude and a direction of a normal force applied through the non-powered axle or the powered axle. 
     
     
         17 . A system including a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track in a travel direction, the system comprising:
 a truck including a powered axle and a non-powered axle;   two pairs of wheels respectively coupled to the powered and non-powered axles;   a pneumatic actuator coupled to the powered axle;   an air brake coupled to the powered and non-powered axles; and   a controller configured to:
 determine a dynamic weight shift between the powered axle wheels and the non-powered axle wheels in the truck as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track; and 
 adjust an operating parameter of the actuator based on the determined dynamic weight shift in order to affect a normal force applied through the powered axle to increase aggregated adhesion between the two pairs of wheels and the rail track and to increase a weight of the powered axle compared to a weight of the non-powered axle. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the dynamic weight shift based upon at least one of a static weight associated with the rail vehicle, a level of fuel, a speed of the rail vehicle, a throttle level of the rail vehicle, or an amount of fuel consumed by the rail vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the dynamic weight shift based upon the static weight associated with the rail vehicle and one or more dynamic factors of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the track. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a threshold weight of the powered axle, and wherein the normal force applied through the powered axle is affected such that the weight of the powered axle is maintained below the threshold weight, and wherein the threshold weight is determined based on a track condition of the rail track.