AU2014234954B2

AU2014234954B2 - A train reversing system

Info

Publication number: AU2014234954B2
Application number: AU2014234954A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Liam BEST
Original assignee: Aurizon Operations Ltd
Current assignee: Aurizon Operations Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-22
Filing date: 2014-03-20
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-20
Also published as: AU2014234954A1; WO2014146167A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a train reversing system. The system includes a camera assembly for capturing rearward images from a train. A display assembly is provided for displaying the captured rearward images to a driver of the train. Advantageously, the driver can view the displayed rearward images without the need to undertake the long walk to the rear of the remote train in the dark, thereby impeding the possibility of the driver slipping and becoming injured. Proximity sensors may be used to detect objects at the rear and sides of the train. The proximity sensor and camera assembly can be releasably mounted on the train. Proximity and image data is wirelessly transmitted from the camera to the display. A warning alarm is generated when objects are detected by the proximity sensors or when the train is reversing.

Description

The present invention relates to a train reversing system. The system includes a camera assembly for capturing rearward images from a train. A display assembly is provided for displaying the captured rearward images to a driver of the train. Ad vantageously, the driver can view the displayed rearward images without the need to undertake the long walk to the rear of the re mote train in the dark, thereby impeding the possibility of the driver slipping and becoming injured. Proximity sensors may be used to detect objects at the rear and sides of the train. The proximity sensor and camera assembly can be releasably mounted on the train. Proximity and image data is wirelessly transmitted from the camera to the display. A warning alarm is generated when objects are detected by the proximity sensors or when the train is reversing.

2014234954 22 Feb 2018

A TRAIN REVERSING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a train reversing system.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Freight trains often need to reverse at remote mine balloon sites. In this event, one of the two train drivers typically exit the locomotive and make the long (typically 1.5 to 2.7km), arduous walk to the rear of the train to ensure that the area at the rear of the train is clear and free from obstacles both prior to and during reversing.

[0004] Drivers often are required to make the walk over unstable ground, at night or in adverse weather conditions. Invariably, drivers making the walk slip and are injured so that they cannot continue in their duties, which is particularly undesirable when at a remote location. Snakes can also be present and snake bites can occur.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system to impede such injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a train reversing system including:

a camera assembly for capturing rearward images from a train; and a display assembly for displaying the captured rearward images to a driver of the train, wherein both the camera assembly and the display assembly have respective global positioning systems (GPS) for providing respective geographic locations.

2014234954 22 Feb 2018 [0007] Advantageously, the driver can view the displayed rearward images without the need to walk to the rear of the train, thereby impeding the possibility of the driver slipping and becoming injured.

[0008] The system may further include a proximity sensor for sensing the proximity of objects at the rear of the train. The proximity sensor may further sense the proximity of objects (in blind spots) at the side of the train. The proximity sensor may be an electromagnetic proximity sensor.

[0009] The system may include a storage device for storing captured images which can be advantageously used in the event of an incident. The camera assembly may include a wireless communications assembly for transmitting the captured images or proximity information from the proximity sensor. In one embodiment, a field of the proximity sensor is coincident with the field of view of the camera so that objects outside the field of view are not detected with the proximity sensor.

[00010] The system may include a lighting assembly for rearward and/or side lighting from the train. The system may include a battery for powering the camera assembly.

The camera assembly may include a battery charging system for charging the battery. The battery charging system may include either solar cells or an alternator for generating power from a wagon wheel. The battery charging system may generate power from compressed air lines already fitted to the wagons. The camera assembly may default to a low-power operating mode when the train is not reversing to conserve battery power, and wake up responsive to the train reversing.

[00011 ] The camera assembly may include a fastener for releasably fastening to the train so that the camera assembly can be readily transferred from one to another wagon of the train should the train wagon configuration be changed. The fastener may include a clamp. The camera assembly may include a video camera with a resolution sufficient to identify a person, in high visibility clothing, within 50 metres of the camera which is the safe minimum distance to stop a train reversing at up to 10km/hr before running over an incapacitated (e.g. sleeping, injured, disabled, etc.) person. The video camera may provide in excess of 4 frames per second in real time.

[00012] The display assembly may include an alarm for generating an alarm responsive to detecting objects proximal to the rear of the train. The display assembly

2014234954 22 Feb 2018 may display the captured images in the form of video or at least one still image. The display assembly may include a touch screen display.

[00013] The system may include a wireless communications link between the camera assembly and display assembly. The system may include at least one alarm for generating an alarm responsive to reversing of the train. The at least one alarm may include a visual alarm able to be discerned by a person up to 50 metres away even in daylight or an audible alarm in excess of 100dB which can be heard over a passing train.

[00014] The system may include an operations center in wireless communication with at least one of the camera assembly and display assembly. Both the camera assembly and the display assembly may have respective global positioning systems (GPS) for providing respective geographic locations. The system may include a separation alarm which is actuated upon the geographic locations exceeding a predetermined threshold indicative of the camera assembly and display assembly being borne by a separated train (or different trains).

[00015] The system may further include a cleaner for cleaning the camera assembly. The cleaner may include a flusher for flushing the camera with water, or a wiper for wiping a camera lens.

[00016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the train including a locomotive coupled to multiple wagons, the display assembly being borne by the locomotive and the camera assembly being borne by the rearmost wagon.

[00017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a train reversing method including:

capturing rearward images from a train using a transferrable camera assembly; and displaying the captured rearward images to a driver of the train using a display assembly;

wherein both the camera assembly and the display assembly have respective global positioning systems (GPS) for providing respective geographic locations.

2014234954 22 Feb 2018 [00018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transferrable camera assembly for a train reversing system including a display assembly having a respective global positioning system (GPS) for providing a geographic location of the display assembly, the camera assembly including:

a camera for capturing rearward images from a train and transmitting to the display assembly, and a global positioning system (GPS) for providing the geographic location of the camera assembly.

[00019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display assembly for a train reversing system including a transferrable camera assembly having a respective global positioning system (GPS) for providing a geographic location of the display assembly, the camera assembly including:

a display for displaying captured rearward images from a train to a driver of the train, and a global positioning system (GPS) for providing the geographic location of the camera assembly.

[00020] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00021] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00022] Figure 1 a schematic plan view of a train bearing a safety system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00023] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a camera assembly of the safety system of Figure 1; and

4a

2014234954 22 Feb 2018 [00024] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a display assembly of the safety system of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a train reversing safety system 100 as shown in Figure 1. The safety system 100 includes a rear camera assembly 102 mounted to the rearmost wagon 104 of a train 106 and for capturing rearward images from the reversing train 106. A display assembly 108 is provided in the cabin of a locomotive 110 for displaying the captured rearward images to a driver of the train 106. Advantageously, the driver can view the displayed rearward images without the need to walk to the rear of the train 106 for reversing inspection, thereby impeding the possibility of the driver slipping and becoming injured.

[This page continues on page 51

WO 2014/146167

PCT/AU2014/000291 [00026] The safety system 100 includes a wireless radio-frequency (RF) communications (ink (see arrows) between the camera assembly 102 and display assembly 108. Furthermore, the system 100 includes an operations center 112 in wireless RF communication with both the camera assembly 102 and display assembly 108. In this manner, the camera assembly 102, display assembly 108 and operations center 112 are in wireless communication with each other over a virtual private network (VPN).

[00027] Turning to Figure 2. the camera assembly 102 includes a proximity sensor 200 for sensing the proximity of objects at the rear of the train 106. The proximity sensor 200 is an electromagnetic proximity sensor. A video camera 202 is provided with a resolution sufficient to identify a person, in high visibility clothing, within 50 metres of the camera 202 which is the safe minimum distance to stop a train 106 reversing at up to 10km/hr before running over an incapacitated (e.g. sleeping, injured, disabled, etc.) person. The video camera 202 captures in excess of 4 frames per second in real time.

[00028] The camera assembly 102 also includes an internal storage device 204 for storing captured images which can be advantageously retrieved in the event of an incident. A wireless communications assembly 206, with transceiver and antenna, transmits the captured images and proximity information from the proximity sensor 200 to the display assembly 108 and operations centre 112. Turning briefly to Figure 1, an electromagnetic field 114 of the proximity sensor 200 is coincident with the field of view 116 of the camera 202 so that objects outside the field of view 116 are not detected with the proximity sensor 200.

[00029] Returning to Figure 2, the camera assembly 102 also includes a lighting assembly 208 for rearward and side lighting from the train 106 to facilitate driver detection of objects in the dark from the captured images. An internal battery 210 is provided for powering the camera assembly 102. The camera assembly 102 also includes a battery charging system 212 for charging the battery 21Ό, The battery charging system 212 includes either solar cells on the roof of the wagon 104 or an alternator for generating power from the wagon wheel. Advantageously, an internal controller 214 executing software 216 causes the camera assembly 102 to default to a low-power operating mode when the train 104 is not reversing to conserve battery

WO 2014/146167

PCT/AU2014/000291 power, arid wake up responsive to the train reversing. The components of the camera assembly 102 and system 100 communicate over a VPN 218.

[00030] The camera assembly 102 also includes a clamping fastener 220 for releasably fastening to the rear of the train 106 so that the camera assembly 102 can be readily transferred from one wagon 104 to another should the train wagon configuration be changed. The camera assembly 102 includes two alarms 222, 224 for generating alarms responsive to detecting either the reversing of the train 106 or objects proximal to the rear of the train 106 with the proximity sensor 200. A visual alarm 222 is able to be discerned by a person up to 50 metres away, even in daylight. An audible alarm 224 generates a noise in excess of 100dB which can be heard over a passing train 104.

[00031] The camera assembly 102 further includes a cleaner 226 for cleaning the camera assembly 202. The cleaner 226 includes a flusher for flushing the camera 202 with water, and a wiper for wiping the camera’s lens, [00032] Turning to Figure 3, the display assembly 108 includes an audible and visual alarm for generating an alarm responsive to detecting objects proximal to the rear of the train with the proximity sensor 200. The display assembly 108 includes a touchscreen display 300 for displaying the streamed video images Gaptured by the camera assembly 102, A locomotive computer 302 includes an operating system 304, and executes video streaming software 306 and driver advice system software 308 providing advice to the driver.

[00033] Both the camera assembly 102 and the display assembly 108 have respective global positioning systems (GPS) 228, 310 for providing respective geographic locations of the assemblies 102, 108. The display assembly 108 and operations centre 112 include a separation alarm which is actuated upon the monitored geographic locations exceeding a predetermined threshold indicative of the camera assembly 102 and display assembly 108 being borne by different trains 106 or a separated train 106.

[00034] A train reversing safety method is now briefly described.

[00035] Initially, the driver places the engine 110 in reverse which wakes up the camera assembly 102 from a low power mode. The proximity sensor 200, camera 202,

WO 2014/146167

PCT/AU2014/000291 and visual alarm 22 are actuated upon reversing the train 106. A light dependent resistor can also be used to automatically actuate the lighting assembly 208 in the event of poor light or alternatively the driver can manually actuate the lighting assembly 208 using the display assembly 108.

[00036] The driver then monitors the display assembly 108 streaming live captured images from the camera assembly 102 and the images are also stored in the storage device 104. The audible camera assembly alarm 224 and display assembly alarm are actuated upon detection of an object by the proximity sensor 200.

[00037] Upon disengaging reverse of the train 106, the camera assembly 102 resumes low power mode with the proximity sensor 200, camera 202, GPS, lighting assembly 208 and alarms 222, 224 turned off.

[00038] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00089] In one embodiment, the proximity sensor 200 further senses the proximity of objects in blind spots at the side of the train 108.

[00040] In One embodiment, the camera 202 captures one or more still images.

[00041] In one embodiment, the battery charging system 212 can generate power from compressed air lines already fitted to the wagons 104.

[00042] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[000433 Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or 'an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are hot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

2014234954 22 Feb 2018

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A train reversing system including:

a transferrable camera assembly for capturing rearward images from a train; and a display assembly for displaying the captured rearward images to a driver of the train, wherein both the camera assembly and the display assembly have respective global positioning systems (GPS) for providing respective geographic locations.
2. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, further including a proximity sensor for sensing the proximity of objects at the rear of the train.
3. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the proximity sensor can further sense the proximity of objects at the side of the train.
4. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the proximity sensor is an electromagnetic proximity sensor.
5. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a field of the proximity sensor is coincident with the field of view of the camera assembly so that objects outside the field of view are not detected with the proximity sensor.
6. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, further including a storage device for storing captured images which can be advantageously used in the event of an incident.
7. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera assembly includes a wireless communications assembly for transmitting the captured images or proximity information from a proximity sensor.
8. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, further including a lighting assembly for rearward and/or side lighting from the train.
9. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, further including a battery for powering the camera assembly.

2014234954 22 Feb 2018
10. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 9, further including a battery charging system for charging the battery.
11. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the battery charging system includes solar cells or an alternator for generating power from a wagon wheel.
12. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the battery charging system generates power from compressed air lines fitted to the wagons.
13. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera assembly defaults to a low-power operating mode when the train is not reversing to conserve power, and wakes up responsive to the train reversing.
14. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera assembly includes a fastener for releasably fastening to the train so that the camera assembly can be readily transferred from one to another wagon of the train should the train wagon configuration be changed.
15. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera assembly includes a video camera with a resolution sufficient to identify a person, in high visibility clothing, within 50 metres of the camera
16. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, including an alarm for generating an alarm responsive to detecting objects proximal to the rear of the train.
17. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, including a wireless communications link between the camera assembly and display assembly.
18. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, including at least one alarm for generating an alarm responsive to reversing of the train.
19. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, including an operations center in wireless communication with at least one of the camera assembly and display assembly.

ίο

2014234954 22 Feb 2018
20. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system includes a separation alarm which is actuated upon the geographic locations exceeding a predetermined threshold indicative of the camera assembly and display assembly being borne by a separated train or different trains.
21. A train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, further including a cleaner for cleaning the camera assembly.
22. A train including a locomotive coupled to multiple wagons and a train reversing system as claimed in claim 1, the display assembly being borne by the locomotive and the camera assembly being borne by the rearmost wagon.
23. A train reversing method including:

capturing rearward images from a train using a transferrable camera assembly; and displaying the captured rearward images to a driver of the train using a display assembly;

wherein both the camera assembly and the display assembly have respective global positioning systems (GPS) for providing respective geographic locations.
24. A transferrable camera assembly for a train reversing system including a display assembly having a respective global positioning system (GPS) for providing a geographic location of the display assembly, the camera assembly including:

a camera for capturing rearward images from a train and transmitting to the display assembly, and a global positioning system (GPS) for providing the geographic location of the camera assembly.
25. A display assembly for a train reversing system including a transferable camera assembly having a respective global positioning system (GPS) for providing a geographic location of the camera assembly, the display assembly including:

a display for displaying captured rearward images from a train to a driver of the train, and a global positioning system (GPS) for providing the geographic location of the display assembly.

WO 2014/146167

PCT/AU2014/000291

1/3

WO 2014/146167

PCT/AU2014/000291

2/3 io 2.

Cl am pi ng/attachment mechanism

WO 2014/146167

PCT/AU2014/000291

3/3 φ

§ ο

α.

ό

Fi6.

ό