DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to safe and cost effective system for remote control based locomotive operation and related utilities within steel making complex. Thus, the remote controlled system help reducing the man machine interface to a larger extent by eliminating an additional pointsman for point change operation, drop gate function and locomotive movement. Also, with safety being the top priority this system for remote operation of locomotives also enables mitigating the number of derailments with clear visibility of locomotive movement from control station, adapted for changing points and drop gate operation with reduced Loco turn around time (TAT) and free of manual intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Locomotives enable the efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods within the raw materials and products supply chain. They are commonly used to transport steel coils, sheets, slabs, bars, rebars and other steel products between steel mills, warehouses, distribution centres, and customers. By providing a reliable and cost-effective means of transportation, locomotives help streamline the supply chain operations.
In earlier mode of locomotive operation, a plethora of shortcomings which sometimes leads to safety hazards in addition to the operational performance. The problems were initially mapped, on operation basis like pointsman movement, drop gate movement, coupling and decoupling of torpedo and locomotive movement. With mapping done to optimize and automate the same, various measures were brought into practice, which was then collectively programmed into a single remote to aid all the issues in one go. The POC (Proof of Concept) stands completed for two locos till date.
The operation of locomotives using remote control, commonly known as remote locomotive operation or remote-control locomotive (RCL) operation, has gained popularity in the railway industry. It allows locomotives to be operated from a remote location, providing various benefits such as improved safety, efficiency, and flexibility.
A remote control system consists of a control station or panel located in a central control room or an operator's workstation. This control station is equipped with various controls and displays that enable the operator to control the locomotive remotely. The system typically utilizes wireless communication technology to transmit control signals between the control station and the locomotive.
Locomotives offer cost advantages for transporting steel and raw materials, especially over long distances. Rail transportation is often more economical compared to trucking, particularly when moving large volumes of steel. Locomotives can haul heavier loads and require fewer operators, resulting in lower transportation costs per unit of steel.
Yard and Shunting Operations: Remote control locomotive operation is commonly used in yard and shunting operations, where locomotives are required to move coupling and decoupling torpedoes. Remote control allows for more precise and efficient movements, as well as faster turnaround times. Operators can position themselves in optimal locations for visibility and safety while remotely operating the locomotive.
Considering the above mentioned merits of the remote operating system, it is pertinent to ensure the proper operation of locomotives and it should be considered at upmost priority for further advancement and ease of operation.
A USA Patent holding application number PCT/US2021/013530 and Patent number 202227046295 dated 14th April 2022 conveys a generalized view of remote operation of any vehicle without going deep down to specific operations. In our instance considering the locomotive operation of coupling and decoupling of the torpedo from the locomotive is not accounted in the above-mentioned patent. Present invention encloses various locomotive specific operations like point, drop gate management, points man activities, coupling and decoupling of torpedoes which is novel and a remote application to the said operations would ensure high efficiency and promotes safety.
Thus, none of the prior arts disclosed use of remote to optimize locomotive operation across various course of action. This operation being carried out in a steel industry translates to direct increase in efficiency and ensures safety. Also, in the point of return on investment since pointsmen are eliminated a lost of cost is saved since their activities in present in 3 shifts per day accounting to a lot of pointsmen for a simple operation. Considering the decrease in derailment, it’s an efficient way to transport the torpedo carrying the hot metal from the blast furnace to steel melting shop, thus ensuring safe movement and no loss of hot metal.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
The basic objective of the present invention is directed to provide a remote control based locomotive system which would be adapted to provide for required operative/controll system in locomotive’s movements to mitigate the man-machine interface to a larger extent by eliminating an additional pointsman for point operations during locomotive movement.
A further objective of the present invention is directed towards the remote control based locomotive system with related utilities including deployment of best available practice to make the locomotive movement as safe operation.
A still further objective of the present invention is to minimize the derailment with clear visibility of locomotive movement and spillage of materials during internal shifting of materials by locomotives.
A still further objective is to utilise the RCL system which offers flexibility in terms of scheduling and optimal resource utilization like multiple loco operation by a single operator.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce the cost of loco operation by way of fuel saving due to implementation of Auto Engine Start stop (AESS) with Radio Remote.
A further objective of the present invention directed to said remote operated/controlled system in locomotive’s movements within steel making complex which is equipped for automated coupling or decoupling of torpedo carrying hot metal ladle as per need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities within steel mills adapted for selective remote control operations easily and cost effectively including changing points and drop gate operation with reduced Loco turn around time (TAT) and free of manual intervention.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention there is provide for a remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities
comprising:

a central control station including transmitter means for sending wireless signals by an operator, selectively and safely located with clear visibility of locomotive movement to be controlled within the steel mill;

at least a locomotive movable on tracks for shunting operations within steel mills having means/sensors installed therein to receive and interpret commands from the remote-control system by operator at the control station including receiving and decoding wireless signals, for controlling selectively including anyone or more of the locomotive's throttle, brakes, and any start/stop functions remotely, as well as providing feedback to the operator regarding the locomotive's status and parameters;

said remote control system including means to operate both drop gate functioning prior to loco arrival and point changes while the locomotive moves on track including hauling a coupled torpedo carrying hot metal ladle from a blast furnace to steel melting shop and means to coupling and decoupling of the torpedo from the locomotive.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities which offers flexibility in terms of scheduling and optimal resource utilization like multiple loco operation by a single operator who can switch between locomotives or control different sections of a train remotely.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities wherein the operator can remotely control the locomotive's speed, direction, braking, and other functions and also monitor important parameters such as speed, fuel levels, temperature, and diagnostic information through displays and feedback systems.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities wherein Auto Engine Start stop (AESS) with Radio Remote is implemented as per need to favour fuel saving.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to said remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities wherein loco movement and point changing is interlocked hence leaving no chance of derailment, thus enhancing the safety aspect.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities wherein manual operation is eliminated for changing points and operation of Gates so as to reduce Loco turn around time (TAT) and chance of human errors and safety hazards.

The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are described hereunder in greater details with reference to following accompanying non limiting illustrative drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1: depicts the schematic diagram of the invented system indicating various modes of operation of the locomotive using remote control by operator at control station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The present invention relates to safe and cost effective system for remote controlled locomotive operation within steel plant, minimizing man machine interference.
The locomotive itself is equipped with the necessary system and equipment to receive and interpret commands from the remote-control system. This includes receiving and decoding wireless signals, controlling the locomotive's throttle, brakes, and other essential functions, as well as providing feedback to the operator regarding the locomotive's status and parameters.
Accompanying Figure 1 illustrates the schematic diagram indicating various modes of operation of the locomotive using remote where the locomotive attached to a torpedo is subjected to point changes and thus drop gates should be operated efficiently to eliminate any safety concern. Thus, a remote that can operate both drop gate and points is indeed handy.

Remote locomotive operation incorporates multiple safety features to ensure safe operations. These features may include fail-safe systems, emergency stop buttons, dead man's switches, and obstacle detection systems. These measures are in place to prevent accidents and ensure that the locomotive can be brought to a safe stop in case of any emergency.
The operator at the control station has access to controls that mimic those found in the locomotive cab. They can remotely control the locomotive's speed, direction, braking, and other functions. The operator can also monitor important parameters such as speed, fuel levels, temperature, and diagnostic information through displays and feedback systems.
Remote control locomotive operation offers flexibility in terms of scheduling and resource allocation. Multiple locomotives can be operated by a single operator, and they can switch between locomotives or control different sections of a train remotely. This flexibility allows for better resource utilization and increased operational efficiency.
The remote controlled locomotive operation thus reduced Loco turn around time (TAT) as manual operation is eliminated for changing points and operation of Gates. These are now carried out by the remote efficiently since the remote is equipped with options to enable drop gate functioning prior to loco arrival using the remote.
Importantly also, the system enabled fuel saving due to implementation of Auto Engine Start stop (AESS) with Radio Remote. Since the engine can now stop if sensed to have hauled for a longer deal of time thus saving fuel.
The system eliminated Man-Machine interference considering the elimination of points man. The activities carried out by the points man is now carried out with ease with remote and thus reducing man machine interface. Since human intervention is minimized, there is remote chance of human errors and safety hazards. Further the system ensure rare chance of derailments as loco movement & point changing is interlocked hence leaving no chance to derailment and enhancing the safety aspect.
The remote locomotive operation thus offers the following advantages by way of optimizing and/or mitigating the followings:
• Manual operation
• Probability of derailments
• Optimizing man movements
• Safe Loco movement
• Automated drop gate operation
• Turnaround time of torpedo
• Coupling / Decoupling of Torpedoes
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities within steel mills adapted for selective remote control operations easily and cost effectively including changing points and drop gate operation with reduced Loco turn around time (TAT) and free of manual intervention.

2. The remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities as claimed in claim 1
comprising:

a central control station including transmitter means for sending wireless signals by an operator, selectively and safely located with clear visibility of locomotive movement to be controlled within the steel mill;

at least a locomotive movable on tracks for shunting operations within steel mills having means/sensors installed therein to receive and interpret commands from the remote-control system by operator at the control station including receiving and decoding wireless signals, for controlling selectively including anyone or more of the locomotive's throttle, brakes, and any start/stop functions remotely, as well as providing feedback to the operator regarding the locomotive's status and parameters;

said remote control system including means to operate both drop gate functioning prior to loco arrival and point changes while the locomotive moves on track including hauling a coupled torpedo carrying hot metal ladle from a blast furnace to steel melting shop and means to coupling and decoupling of the torpedo from the locomotive.

3. The remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 which offers flexibility in terms of scheduling and optimal resource utilization like multiple loco operation by a single operator who can switch between locomotives or control different sections of a train remotely.

4. The remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein the operator can remotely control the locomotive's speed, direction, braking, and other functions and also monitor important parameters such as speed, fuel levels, temperature, and diagnostic information through displays and feedback systems.

5. The remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein Auto Engine Start stop (AESS) with Radio Remote is implemented as per need to favour fuel saving.

6. The remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein loco movement and point changing is interlocked hence leaving no chance of derailment, thus enhancing the safety aspect.

7. The remote-control based locomotive (RCL) system and related operational utilities as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein manual operation is eliminated for changing points and operation of Gates so as to reduce Loco turn around time (TAT) and chance of human errors and safety hazards.
Dated this the 13th day of Dec., 2023
Anjan Sen
Of Anjan Sen & Associates
(Applicant’s Agent)
IN/PA-199