System for remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive

Abstract

A system for remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive includes multiple detectors positioned on board the locomotive and the fuel-supply system. The detectors are configured to generate a warning signal upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system. The system further includes a controller that is remotely located and communicably coupled to each of the detectors. The controller is configured to receive the warning signal from at least one of the detectors, the warning signal being indicative of the abnormality. The controller is also configured to provide, at a graphical user interface (GUI), a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of abnormality detected. The controller is then configured to operably actuate a relay associated with the fuel supply system on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive, the system comprising:
 a plurality of detectors positioned on board the locomotive and the fuel-supply system, the detectors configured to generate a warning signal upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system; and   a controller remotely located and communicably coupled to the plurality of detectors, the controller configured to:
 receive the warning signal from at least one of the detectors, the warning signal indicative of the abnormality; 
 provide, at a graphical user interface (GUI), a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of abnormality detected; and 
 operably actuate a relay associated with the fuel supply system on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the warning signal is further indicative of a type and magnitude of the detected abnormality. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the abnormality includes at least one of:
 fire on-board at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system;   unauthorized access into a cab of the locomotive;   engine equipment failure;   malfunction of automatic engine start-stop system;   engine control system error;   fuel leak in the fuel supply system; and   general safety concern.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the user-allowable actions includes cutting-off fuel flow from the fuel-supply system to the locomotive by de-energizing a fuel-pump relay coil. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the user-allowable actions includes shutting off the engine. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller and the GUI are configured to integrally form part of a portable computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the portable computing device is at least one of: a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular device, a laptop, and a personal computer. 
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented method for remotely controlling a fuel-supply system associated with a locomotive, the method comprising:
 generate, by at least one detector, a warning signal upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system; and   receive, at a controller, the warning signal indicative of the abnormality;   provide, at a graphical user interface (GUI), a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of the detected abnormality; and   operably actuate, by the controller, a relay associated with the fuel supply system on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein the warning signal is further indicative of a type and magnitude of the detected abnormality. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein the abnormality includes at least one of:
 fire on-board at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system;   unauthorized access into a cab of the locomotive;   engine equipment failure;   malfunction of automatic engine start-stop system;   engine control system error;   fuel leak in the fuel supply system; and   general safety concern.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the user-allowable actions includes cutting-off fuel flow from the fuel-supply system to the locomotive by de-energizing a fuel-pump relay coil. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the user-allowable actions includes shutting off the engine. 
     
     
         13 . A locomotive system comprising:
 a locomotive having an engine;   a fuel supply system fluidly coupled to the engine, the fuel supply system having at least one relay configured to selectively allow a supply of fuel to the engine; and   a system communicably coupled to the fuel-supply system and the locomotive, the system comprising:
 a plurality of detectors positioned on board the locomotive and the fuel-supply system, the detectors configured to generate a warning signal upon detection of an abnormality in the operation of at least one of: the locomotive and the fuel-supply system; 
 a controller remotely located and communicably coupled to the plurality of detectors, the controller configured to:
 receive the warning signal from at least one of the detectors, the warning signal indicative of the abnormality; 
 provide, at a graphical user interface (GUI), a list of user-allowable actions based on a type of abnormality detected; and 
 actuate the relay associated with the fuel supply system on receiving a chosen user-allowable action from the list of user-allowable actions. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein the fuel supply system includes one of: a diesel fuel-supply system, and a diesel and natural gas fuel-supply system. 
     
     
         15 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein the warning signal is further indicative of a type and magnitude of the detected abnormality. 
     
     
         16 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein the abnormality includes at least one of:
 fire on-board at least one of the locomotive and the fuel-supply system;   unauthorized access into a cab of the locomotive;   engine equipment failure;   malfunction of automatic engine start-stop system;   engine control system error;   fuel leak in the fuel supply system; and   general safety concern.   
     
     
         17 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the user-allowable actions includes cutting-off fuel flow from the fuel-supply system to the locomotive by de-energizing a fuel-pump relay coil. 
     
     
         18 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the user-allowable actions includes shutting off the engine. 
     
     
         19 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller and the GUI are configured to integrally form part of a portable computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the plurality of detectors and the relay over a wireless network.