Device, System, and Method for Monitoring a Distance between Rail Cars during Coupling

Abstract

Described are a device, system, and method for monitoring a distance between a first rail car and a second rail car during coupling. The device includes a fastener configured to affix the device to the first rail car and a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car in a direction away from an end of the first rail car and toward an end of the second rail car. The device also includes a power source and a data connector to communicatively connect the device to a remote processor. The device further includes a local processor programmed or configured to repeatedly receive distance data from the distance sensor of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car and communicate the distance data to the remote processor.

1 . A device for monitoring a distance between a first rail car and a second rail car during coupling, comprising:
 a fastener configured to affix the device to the first rail car;   a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car in a direction away from an end of the first rail car and toward an end of the second rail car;   a power source;   a data connector to communicatively connect the device to a remote processor; and   a local processor programmed or configured to repeatedly:
 receive distance data from the distance sensor of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car; 
 communicate the distance data to the remote processor; and 
 cause the initiation of at least one train action at least partially based on the distance data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is separate from and communicatively connected to an end-of-train (EOT) device, and wherein the distance sensor comprises at least one of the following: a LIDAR sensor, a radar sensor, a sonar sensor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one magnet configured to removably and temporarily affix the device to the first rail car. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the data connector is communicatively connected to a data trainline of an ECP-equipped train, and wherein the power source comprises a wired power connection to a power trainline of the ECP-equipped train. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the data connector comprises a wireless transceiver for wireless communication to a mobile device located with a train operator and/or to an onboard computing device located on a locomotive associated with the first rail car or the second rail car, and wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein a data connection of the data connector to the mobile device and/or the onboard computing device is persistent. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the local processor is further programmed or configured to increase a rate of receiving the distance data of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car, and communicating the distance data to the remote processor as the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car decreases. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device and a locomotive associated with the first rail car or the second rail car are configured to be remotely controlled by the remote processor such that the distance data communicated from the device to the remote processor is at least partially used by the remote processor to automatically operate the locomotive to complete a coupling of the first rail car and the second rail car. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the local processor is further programmed or configured to angle the distance sensor and/or filter, at the device, the distance data to account for non-linear rail under the first rail car or the second rail car during coupling of the first rail car and the second rail car. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , the device being configured to additionally report the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car using and further comprising at least one of the following: a speaker, an indicator light, a display, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A system for monitoring a distance between a first rail car and a second rail car during coupling, the system comprising:
 a computing device positioned remotely from the first rail car and the second rail car, the computing device being programmed or configured to:
 receive distance data of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car; and 
 display the distance data on a display device; and 
   a distance monitoring device comprising:
 a fastener configured to affix the device to the first rail car; 
 a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car in a direction away from an end of the first rail car and toward an end of the second rail car; 
 a power source; 
 a data connector to communicatively connect the distance monitoring device to the computing device; and 
 a local processor programmed or configured to repeatedly:
 receive the distance data from the distance sensor of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car; and 
 communicate the distance data to the computing device for display. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the distance sensor comprises at least one of the following: a LIDAR sensor, a radar sensor, a sonar sensor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an end-of-train (EOT) device comprising the distance monitoring device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the data connector is communicatively connected to a data trainline of an ECP-equipped train, and wherein the power source comprises a wired power connection to a power trainline of the ECP-equipped train. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the data connector comprises a wireless transceiver for wireless communication to the computing device, the computing device being located with a train operator and/or on a locomotive associated with the first rail car or the second rail car, and wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the local processor is further programmed or configured to increase a rate of receiving the distance data of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car, and communicating the distance data to the computing device as the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car decreases. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the distance monitoring device and a locomotive associated with the first rail car or the second rail car are configured to be remotely controlled by the computing device such that the distance data communicated from the distance monitoring device to the computing device is at least partially used by the computing device to automatically operate the locomotive to complete a coupling of the first rail car and the second rail car. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the local processor is further programmed or configured to angle the distance sensor and/or filter, at the distance monitoring device, the distance data to account for non-linear rail under the first rail car or the second rail car during coupling of the first rail car and the second rail car. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-implemented method for monitoring a distance between a first rail car and a second rail car during coupling, the method comprising:
 receiving, with at least one processor, distance data from a distance sensor of a distance monitoring device, the distance monitoring device affixed to the first rail car and positioned between the first rail car and the second rail car, the distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car in a direction away from an end of the first rail car and toward an end of the second rail car;   controlling, with at least one processor and based at least partially on the distance data, movement of the first rail car and/or the second rail car to reduce the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car; and   stopping, with at least one processor and based at least partially on the distance data, movement of the first rail car and/or the second rail car in response to determining that the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car satisfies a predetermined threshold distance between the first rail car and the second rail car that is representative of a completed rail car coupling.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 detecting, with at least one processor and based at least partially on the distance data, at least one obstacle between the first rail car and the second rail car; and   temporarily suspending, with at least one processor, movement of the first rail car and/or the second rail car until the at least one obstacle is no longer detected between the first rail car and the second rail car.