Lockheed Martin Corporation

Other

Charles W Morris

Thomas J Meyer

Richard A Allshouse

Matthew A Rhodes

Joseph E Sanfilippo

Golf mat

Methods and systems that utilize radio frequency identification (RFID) tags mounted at trackside points of interest (POI) together with an RFID tag reader mounted on an end of train (EOT) car. The RFID tag reader and the RFID tags work together to provide information that can be used in a number of ways including, but not limited to, determining train integrity, determining a geographical location of the EOT car, and determine that the EOT car has cleared the trackside POI along the track.

Methods and systems of determining end of train location and clearance of trackside points of interest

Methods and systems are described that can be used to verify a track database of a train management system, for example that the track database has not been corrupted, built with critical errors, or is not being used properly by the software application. In one embodiment, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are mounted on the trackside features contained in the track database. The tags contain data such as the geographical coordinates of the trackside features and a unique feature identifier that uniquely identifies the respective feature. As the train passes the trackside feature, a tag reader on the train reads the tag to gather the geographical coordinates and the feature identifier. The train management system then compares the geographical coordinates and/or the feature identifier from the tag with the expected geographical coordinates and/or the expected feature identifier in the track database.

Automated real-time positive train control track database validation

Systems and methods that can be used in a Positive Train Control system to continuously monitor train integrity and end of train location using radio frequency (RF) ranging techniques to determine the line of sight distance between the head end and the end of the train. The systems and methods allow PTC controlled trains to maintain positive length of train awareness and to determine if a portion of the train separates unintentionally. The systems and methods can be implemented on existing RF infrastructure used on trains, without impacting existing messaging traffic, adding bandwidth or power requirements. The systems and methods work on stretched trains running on tangent or straight track, as well as on foreshortened trains running on curved track.

Train integrity and end of train location via RF ranging

Methods and systems for continually measuring the length of a train operating in a positive train control environment are provided. Particularly, the methods and systems provided herein equate repetitive line of sight ranging measurements from the head end to the rear end of a train with the physically draped length of the train along a mapped track with various horizontal and vertical curvature characteristics.

Methods and systems for continually measuring the length of a train operating in a positive train control environment

A database schema is disclosed that can significantly reduce the quantity of data required to describe the geometry of a train track and the geo-locations of features (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.) along the track. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a railroad track is represented as a plurality of partitions, each of which has its geometry contained within unique track point elements. Multiple track partitions are then joined together by common track point elements at their boundaries to create continuous rail networks. A compact table schema is employed that enables continuous sections of three-dimensional track splines to be rendered accurately in the track database, irrespective of the location of vertical and horizontal curvature along track segments. The data representation scheme also enables efficient storage of the geo-locations of features along a track, as well as the direct reconstitution of accurate three-dimensional track splines.

Database for efficient storage of track geometry and feature locations

Methods for validating track databases based on the contents of a geological database. The track database stores a piecewise-polynomial spline as a geometric representation of the track, along with offsets from spline points to represent the geo-locations of features on the track. After the computations associated with the geometric representation are completed and the track database is populated, the geo-locations of features in the track database are checked for consistency with the geo-locations of monuments in the geological database. If the geo-location of a feature in the track database is found to differ by more than a threshold distance from its projected geo-location, as computed from offsets from a monument in the geological database, then corrective action is taken. The illustrative embodiment also enables the validation of data values in the track database and relationships among track features.

Validation of track databases

Techniques are disclosed for updating a train track database after track maintenance so that the database correctly reflects any changes to track geometry or to the geo-locations of features along the tracks (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.). Advantageously, the techniques of the illustrative embodiment enable a track maintenance crew to cost-effectively obtain post-maintenance measurements for features without the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit (e.g., using a tape measure, using a laser rangefinder, etc.).

Updating track databases after track maintenance

An improved method of rail survey deploys feature identification tags along an inner edge of a train track rail. Each tag includes a unique identifier to identify a respective feature along the train track. Each tag includes a reflector to reflect light to a sensor on a track surveyor. The sensor reads track feature tags without the need for stopping at each feature. A track database is provided that is capable of storing tables that associate track features with geo-locations. As each tag is deployed or read during a rail survey, it can be paired with geo-location data and stored in the track database.

Efficient data acquisition for track databases

A patient conveyance device for transporting a patient between first and second locations. The patient conveyance device includes a frame having a first side, a second side, and a front joining the front ends of the first and second sides to one another; and patient seat structure for being supported by the frame and for supporting the patient in a seated position; the patient seat structure being movably attached to the frame for allowing the patient seat structure to be moved between an opened position for allowing the patient to sit down onto the patient seat structure from a first location and to transfer from the patient seat structure to a second location, and a closed position for allowing the patient to be easily transported by the patient conveyance device.

Patient conveyance device

The present invention relates to an improved portable power shovel including a shovel portion and a base portion. The shovel portion includes a handle which is to be gripped by the operator, a blade for digging and two hydraulic rams connected to the blade, a first of the rams being provided to reciprocate the blade so that it may dig into a desired area. The second hydraulic ram is connected to the blade so that movements of the second hydraulic ram result in pivoting motions of the blade so that the blade may loosen dirt or other materials at the location where the blade has been inserted through reciprocations of the first mentioned hydraulic ram. The base is connected to the shovel portion and is provided so as to connect the shovel portion with the surrounding walls and ground area so that reciprocations of the first hydraulic ram will have their maximum effect. The base portion may be releasably fixed to the surrounding walls via integral hydraulic rams and may be fixed to the surrounding ground area through the use of removable pins.

Growing community of inventors

Nokesville, VA, United States of America

Charles W Morris